Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, will visit the Central Orchid Society Show at Perton Civic Centre on Saturday 22nd November.
The show, which begins at 11am, will see Gavin judging the collection of orchids, with many members of the Orchid Society, both in South Staffordshire and across the West Midlands region, present to display their own plants.
Earlier this year Ray Tunnicliff, a keen orchid grower, met Gavin and expressed his concern about the withdrawal of funding for Kew Gardens and the research side of Kew. Gavin called on Ministers to confirm that funding will not be withdrawn and was assured that the funding for this year will remain the same as last year.
The Central Orchid Society is one of the oldest orchid societies in England. The society was formed in 1956, at which time it was known as the Midland Section of the Amateur Orchid Growers Society, which later became the Orchid Society of Great Britain. Its first Annual General Meeting and Show were held at Compton Grange on 30th March, 1957.
Gavin said: “I am very much looking forward to visiting the Central Orchid Society show this weekend. I was honoured when Ray invited me to visit his incredible collection and judge the show as I have always loved orchids. The Orchid Societies span across the region, bringing together many orchid growers, giving them the chance to display their wonderful flowers at different events and I am looking forward to seeing the different varieties of orchid on show.”