British Cactus and Succulent Society Cambridge & District Branch 2026 Programme Some pictures from our shows

The British Cactus & Succulent Society (BCSS) has around 100 branches throughout the country. The Cambridge & District Branch meets on the second Wednesday of each month (except February) in the Memorial Hall, Woollards Lane, Great Shelford, Cambridge, CB22 5LZ.

Here is a map which should open in a new window. Use the controls on the map if you want more of an overview of how to get there.

The Cambridge Branch was formed in 1947, and usually attracts up to 40 people to its monthly meetings. It is one of the branches grouped together in Zone 6 of the BCSS.

The meetings start at 7pm, but the first half-hour is just an opportunity to talk to others, stage show plants, and search the sales table for bargains, so you needn't arrive until 7.30pm. As a guide, the meetings sometimes go on until 10pm, but might finish earlier.

Everyone is welcome at the meetings (including non-members). Most meetings have a visiting speaker, often illustrated with a digital presentation (or rarely slides these days), or sometimes with plants. Also there are:

• a monthly competitive show with about 11 classes. Awards are presented at the Annual General Meeting.
• a plant sales table, to which anyone may bring their spare plants for sale. The Branch takes a commission on sales - check how this works if you are thinking of bringing some plants.
• sales of pots and other sundries.
• coffee, tea, and biscuits, served during the interval in the talk.
• a library, from which members may borrow books.
• two shows each year. Pictures from previous shows

Do come to one of our meetings. Just come along, or if you want further information then email our Secretary on secretary@cambridge.bcss.org.uk. You can find information and, if you want, join the National Society here. Note that, like other branches, the Cambridge Branch has to be self-financing, and does not receive any money from your subscription to the British Cactus & Succulent Society. Entrance to our meetings costs £3.00 (first meeting free for new members), and tea/coffee/biscuits are £1.00. You can also contribute to our fund-raising by buying a raffle ticket.

2026 Meetings

Wednesday 11th March	Hazel Taylor - Ecuador and Galapagos
Wednesday 8th April	John Hughes - Harri Lorenzo and the Jardim Botânico Plantarum
Wednesday 13th May	Mike Partridge - A Few Days in Patagonia - the Deep South
Wednesday 10th June	Julian Cooke - Thelocactus
Wednesday 9th July	Ian Woolnough - Argentina 2005
Sunday 9th August	Summer Cactus & Succulent Show 10am - 4pm, held at our usual meeting venue, Memorial Hall, Woollards Lane, Great Shelford, Cambridge, CB22 5LZ. All BCSS members are encouraged to enter, and for visitors it's an opportunity to see well-grown plants. A picture of one of the exhibits at a previous show - click for more pictures. The schedule and entry form will be available for download here when ready. Our shows are judged according to the National Society's "Handbook of Shows, 11th edition, 2021". You can order a printed copy here (copies might also be available at the branch). You need this if you are thinking of entering!
Wednesday 13th August	Alan Brown - Namibia: Etosha National Park & Lithops
Wednesday 9th September	Paul Hoxey - Caribbean Trip and Cacti
Wednesday 14th October	Trevor Wray - The Gardens of the Western Cape
Wednesday 11th November	James Tucker - Favourite Plants: the common, the captivating, and the curious
Wednesday 10th December	Christmas Social Evening & Annual General Meeting

2027 Meetings

Other Cactus & Succulent Resources

• Clarke Brunt's Cactus and Succulent Page
• British Cactus & Succulent Society page.
• Richard Hodgkiss' Succulent Plant Page
• BCSS Field Number Database A search engine for field collection numbers and collectors, compiled by Ralph Martin.