Whanganui botanical group celebrates 50 years

Trips to Bushy Park Sanctuary and Paloma Gardens, a cake and a botanical quiz are some of the offerings for this year's 50th anniversary celebration of the Whanganui Museum Botanical Group.

The weekend is October 27 and 28, with accommodation available at Whanganui's Quaker Settlement and a celebratory dinner on Saturday night with speeches, a slide show and a quiz. There are 20 registrations so far.

The catered picnic on Sunday is just out of town at Paloma Gardens, a garden of national significance made by active members Clive and Nicki Higgie.

Well-known members of the group have included ecologists Colin Ogle and Neill Simpson, senior Conservation Department ranger Jim Campbell, orchid enthusiast Kevin Luff and farmer and Westoe gardener Jim Howard. Over 50 years they have held monthly meetings and field trips to see and hear about all kinds of plant life.

These days the botanists have combined with Forest and Bird and Whanganui's birding group to provide a nature talk once a month.

Committee member Margi Keys volunteered to organise their 50th celebration. She arrived in Whanganui in 2015, enjoyed the group's field trips and plans to organise more.

Registrations for the weekend are still open. The cost is $60, which includes transport and two catered meals. Cost for the dinner alone is $40.

To register email margikeys93@gmail.com or ring 06 344 1250.