Papamoa Garden Circle began on October 18, 1947. The women met at Mrs McLean's residence and a committee was elected. Although 20 women attended this meeting, only 14 joined. The annual sub was two shillings and sixpence and members were asked to bring one tablespoon of both tea and sugar to each meeting (this was the time of food rationing and the sub was princely).
At the November 1947 meeting a member of the Women's Institute attended and explained how members of the garden circle needed to be Institute members. This was not to the liking of these strong women pioneers and by a show of hands, this move was resisted, as members wanted the club to be the Garden Circle of Papamoa with all residents being allowed to join.
The first birthday party and AGM was held at Mrs Lennard's home. A decision was made to give a plant to the value of five shillings to mothers of new babies. At this meeting the annual sub was reduced to a more realistic sum for the times.
Meetings were held in members' homes and it was an incentive to complete projects and put one's house in order. Members had to be prepared to take a turn as hostess and also agree to take a turn as president or secretary for a maximum of two years.
The members came from Papamoa, Kairua, Kaiate Falls, Mount Maunganui and Te Puke. In these early years the garden circle had a plant exchange so everyone went home with something new each month for their garden.
By 1968 the meetings were still held in members' homes. The 21st Papamoa Garden Circle birthday was held at the now demolished Papamoa Hall with a sales table, and grocery raffle. The hall was decorated, a cake cut and members needed to take all the crockery for the occasion.
In 1971 Mrs Lennard suggested a plant exchange each month as up to then, an annual plant sale was held.
At the AGM in March 1970, then president Mrs Lyon presented the Dot Ferguson Cup, in memory of an earlier president. This was to be presented to the annual winner of the decorative section.
At the NZ Camellia Society's national show that year, Papamoa Garden Circle had a display -a credit to Mrs Lennard.
At the AGM in 1974 Mrs Addison moved an increase of subs to 50c. In 1975 membership was closed to other than new Papamoa residents.
In March 1977 it was suggested that name badges be introduced and the president, Margaret McNaughton (who has been a member of the garden circle for 63 years) raised the matter of using a hall. Membership was again closed - now 60 with a waiting list.
Membership was reopened at the AGM in March 1978.
Eventually with increased membership and somewhat regretfully, the garden circle accepted that members had to meet in a hall. The loss of seeing and being shown new treasures and old favourites growing well in imaginative ways in members' gardens was lost.
In 2001 the AGM was held at the Papamoa Sports Complex but the monthly meetings were held at St Paul's Church. From there we met at the Papamoa Library and now our meetings are held at the Gordon Spratt complex.
Papamoa Garden Circle has a proud history and it is hoped that it can continue to flourish for many years to come. Meetings are at 1pm on the second Wednesday of each month, excluding December and January.
Guest speakers from local garden centres often speak at the meetings, telling us of new plants and gardening-related topics. There is a sales table at each meeting. There are competitions every month for vegetables, flowers and decorative arrangements.
Each year we have at least a one-day bus trip away from Papamoa visiting gardens. Any inquires, please phone Fern 575 2857.
