Ballymena Garden Club

Ballymena Garden Club was formed in 1919. Its object is to provide opportunities for members to advance their knowledge of gardening through a programme of talks, practical demonstrations and garden visits.
Current membership of the club stands at over 100. The annual membership fee is £10. Until 2004 the club was based in Ballymena but it now meets in Houston’s Mill, Broughshane. Meetings are held on the 1st Monday of February, March, October, November and December at 7:30pm. The meetings are addressed by guest speakers and are followed by an informal get-together over a cup of tea. In addition, at the March and November meetings members organise a bring-and-buy plant sale, which generates funds for the club.

A Spring Flower Show, which is open to the public, is held in the Community Centre in April. Exhibitors need not be members of the club. The show is noted for its display of exhibition daffodils shown by exhibitors from all parts of Northern Ireland. A recent initiative involved inviting local schools to enter show classes specially devised to suit their curricula with the aim of encouraging young people to take an interest in plants and gardening. This has proved beneficial to both young people and the club.

In May and June, evening visits are arranged to private gardens within easy travelling distance.

A day coach trip with a horticultural theme is organised in August for members and their friends. On the outing, visits are made to well-known gardens where guided tours are arranged for the party.

On a two-yearly cycle a special event is organised in a local hotel to which neighbouring Garden Clubs and the general public are invited. These events take the form of lectures addressed by expert speakers, often brought in from Great Britain. A supper is provided which gives an opportunity for the audience to meet each other socially and helps establish and strengthen links between clubs.