Brief history
The Eastern Province Orchid Society
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The Eastern Province Orchid Society
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On Tuesday 8th August 1967 a notice appeared in the Eastern Province Herald asking persons interested in the cultivation of orchids to attend an inaugural meeting at the Athenaeum Club, Belmont Terrace. The advert was signed by Henry Wright, FWR Payne and Dr Basil Francis. The first meeting of the Eastern Province Orchid Society was held on 16th August 1967 when Henry Wright was elected as the first President. In 1970, when the subs were R1-00, a meeting was held where it was decided that EPOS would be affiliated to the South African Orchid Council. The first Orchid Show organised by EPOS was held in the lecture room at the museum in Bird Street from the 19th to 23rd September 1971. Admission to the show was 30c for adults and over 2000 people attended. Carmen Coll of Natal was the first judge. Our annual show has become a regular ‘event’ in Port Elizabeth. In 1997 the society staged the 10th South African Orchid Show and Conference at the Feather Market Centre. The show was judged by South African judges and for the first time a group of judges from the USA also participated and American Orchid Society awards were given. From humble beginnings, the Society has grown and developed. Originally meetings were held bi-monthly. The venue for meetings was moved to the Newton Park library Auditorium in 1989 as the society had outgrown its previous home.
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Last modified: May 09, 2008
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