President of The Garden Club of Bermuda, Mrs. Elizabeth Parker, gives an impressive overview on the club. She tells of its history, who's who, and shares information about the excellent community service they render.

We have learned club members do much more than rose gardening! They are on a mission and should be commended for their outstanding contribution to the beautification of Bermuda. Additionally, their philanthropic deeds provide scholarships and support gardening education and conservation in many Bermuda schools.

Question 1: When was your club founded? What about its history? The Garden Club of Bermuda was formed in April 1921 in the garden at Pembroke Hall by a group of 15 interested people, comprising Bermudians, Americans and English residents.

The first president was Mr. Freer Cox. The aims of the Club were discussed and were to stimulate interest in horticulture and related subjects and to aid in the conservation of natural resources.

The Club is affiliated with the Royal Horticultural Society, the national Council of State Garden Clubs, Inc. of the US, the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies of Great Britain, The Garden Club of America, Garden Clubs of Ontario and, together with the Bermuda Judges' Council for Floral Art, is a founding member of the World Association of Flower Arrangers.

In 1949 the Club, in co-operation with householders, inaugurated a spring programme of open houses and gardens. This undertaking has increased in popularity year by year, and continues today.

Over the years, proceeds from these vents have made possible the publication of books on gardening, and became the foundation of a scholarship for students and post graduates who intend to make horticulture their life work.

During the years, the Club has participated in major events overseas, such as the occasion of the 900th anniversary of Westminster Abbey, and flower Shows in New York and Philadelphia; and has hosted several locally, the last one in 1994.

The Club has had a long history of community involvement, and as long ago as 1925 were concerned about the "disfiguring buildings'' being erected on the Island, and called on the House of Assembly for a "building committee to be appointed.'' They have always had a close liaison with the Department of Agriculture, and its members have helped with the annual Agriculture Exhibition since 1922, and several of the trophies vied for have been donated by the Club.

Since 1935, the monthly meetings have been held at Horticultural hall at the Botanical gardens and in the early 1980s the Club funded major renovations and the addition to the building, which was opened in 1985.

In 1949 the first "Plant a tree Week'' was organised, in 1950 the first Floral pageant, organised by the Chamber of Commerce, was sponsored by the Garden Club, and in 1962 a Keep Bermuda Beautiful Committee was formed in the Club and subsequently grew into an island-wide organisation of the same name which is still a prominent organisation today.

Several pamphlets and books on gardening have been printed over the years, including the definitive works "Flower Gardening in Bermuda'' in 1945, "The Bermuda Garden'' in 1955, and "the Bermuda Jubilee Garden'' in 1971.

A new gardening book is in the planning stages, and it is hoped to have it completed next year.

Also produced and funded over the years, have been radio and television shows on gardening and flower arranging.

The Club paid for the video which plays continuously at the Visitors' Centre in the Botanical Gardens, and this year presented the Department of Agriculture with a video to be used within the school system to promote the agricultural exhibition to the students. Each school now has one in their library.

Last summer there were a series of Public Service Announcements on ZBM television regarding what the traveling public can and cannot bring into the island, which evolved as a result of the liaison between the Club and the Department of Agriculture.

Over the past three years, the Garden Club of Bermuda has been one of the three major sponsors of the "Learning Through Landscapes'' project. This is a school grounds initiative which seeks to improve school grounds, thereby instilling pride in the students towards their school.

It provides outside learning opportunities which enhance and expand the curriculum and playtime. Schools who are participating have indicated a lower incidence of behavioural problems, which is of major concern in today's world.

Question 2: How many members do you have currently? Who are the current officers? At present there are 326 members in the Club. The current officers are: President: Mrs. G.C. (Elizabeth) Parker Vice President: Mrs. W.S. (Joyce) Zuill Immediate Past President: Mrs. I.H. (Felicite) Davidson Recording Secretary: Mrs. A. ('Trish) D'Ombrain Corresponding Secretary: Mrs. M. (Janet) Owner Treasurer: Mrs. J. (Debbie) Burville Question 3: What are your civic improvements planned for this year? Nearing completion is the conversion of a small piece of property in St.

George's in a garden oasis for residents and visitors to the old town. The Club, at the request of H.A. & E. Smith Ltd. and the St. George's Foundation, has provided plans and overseen the project, which should be open to the public in the near future.

As stated in the history above, a new book has been in the planning stages for a few years now, and it is hoped to publish it to commemorate the millennium next year.

Question 4: What scholarships do you offer? The club gives annual wards for students furthering education in horticulturally-related fields, including the Freer Cox Memorial Scholarship, the Dorothy & Bayfield Clark Memorial Award, the Scott Graham Pedro Award, as well as other awards funded by the Open House & Gardens programmes. At the moment, six students are being financially assisted.

Question 5: What are some of your charitable goals for 1999? The incoming President, Mrs. Joyce Zuill, has indicated that she would like to continue the work of the club in Conservation and Education, both of students and the public with special emphasis on endemic and native trees and plants.

She would also like to continue to assist the Plant Protection programme. A committee has been formed and is presently at work to come up with ideas for the club to celebrate the year 2000.

Question 6: Does your club have a specific mission? The mission statement (object) of the Club is "to stimulate interest in horticulture, floral design and related subjects, and to aid in the conservation of natural resources.'' Question 7: How many garden clubs are there registered in Bermuda? As far as I am aware, there are seven garden clubs and societies on the island.

Question 8: Do you have a special message for the community? I would like to encourage the community to take care of and nurture our environment, which is so fragile and so lovely.

It is a cornerstone of our tourism industry that we have such a beautiful island home, and we should all do our utmost to see that it remains that way.

I would like to see each homeowner be aware of the invasive plants that are taking over from our native and endemic species, especially the ficus, and eradicate them before they do any more damage.

Also, although it is so tempting, I would ask that the traveling public not to tuck into their luggage that small plant or cutting to bring home to beautify their own garden, because of the diseases and insects to which these cuttings might be the host.

We all have heard about the scale which decimated our cedar trees, and there is a very real potential for other serious problems which can be accidently introduced in this way.

The Department of Agriculture staff is more than willing to assist anyone wishing to import plants and/or plant material and there is no charge for this service.

Officers: Seated left to right: President, Elizabeth Parker and vice president, Joyce Zuill. Standing left to right: Debbie Burville, treasurer and 'Trish D'Ombrain, recording secretary.

The Garden Club of Bermuda is well respected for its beautification projects and for providing scholarships and supporting gardening education in many Bermuda schools.