What is THACS about?

The Tewin Horticultural Arts and Crafts Society (THACS) aims to promote

the good cultivation of gardens and allotments, to foster interest in garden design and

plants and to encourage village arts and crafts.

In order to achieve these aims, we:-

• run Spring and Autumn Shows

• hold meetings for lectures, demonstrations and workshops

• organise various outings and other appropriate events

• produce a regular newsletter and distribute it to all members

• post information on the society’s pages on the village website

THACS was formed in 2001 following the Millennium Fund activities, which included Open Gardens and a trip to the RHS gardens at Wisley. It was fuelled by the enthusiasm of gardeners and artists of all kinds in Tewin and its continued success is still dependent upon that enthusiasm. The society has attracted over two hundred members and many successful events have taken place.

The two annual shows in Spring and Autumn enable residents to take part in competitive but friendly shows which cover horticulture, arts & crafts, photography and culinary in both adult and children's classes. The shows have become an established part of Tewin village life and are usually well-supported by exhibitors and by people just visiting the shows.

Our lectures are usually held in the Tewin Memorial Hall and cover a wide range of subjects. For example, some recent topics have been ‘Back Gardens of Britain ’ and ‘The History of Paper Making and Printing’. Some of our other meetings are workshops, dealing with topics such as pottery, calligraphy, flower arranging, painting / photography and making jewellery.

Our outings are just as diverse. There is normally at least one visit to a garden each year and usually other visits to museums or art galleries. During 2009 we visited RHS Wisley Gardens and Highgrove Gardens, and recently in 2010 the Beth Chatto Gardens in Essex and the Van Gogh exhibition at the Royal Academy.

We have also held Open Garden days in which a variety of private gardens in and around Tewin open for a day. These Open Garden events have proved popular and so we have held one every two years. The most recent one was in May 2010, when fourteen gardens opened and attracted more than 260 visitors. The event was held over two days ensuring that there were not too many gardens to visit in one day.

Our other events have included Arts & Crafts exhibitions, quiz nights and local walks / visits, sometimes followed by meals.

Current membership costs £5 per person per year. The annual membership runs until 31 October but we provide additional value to ensure that you get full benefit from your initial membership payment, if you join after 30 June in any year, the membership fee will not be payable until 31 October when all subscriptions are due. So, you get up to 4 months subscription free.

Members receive substantial discounts on THACS outings and events and they also receive our regular newsletters at no extra charge, so this membership fee represents remarkably good value.You can get further details about joining THACS from:-

Hon. Treasurer, Malcolm Allen, 47 Bishops Road, Tewin Wood, Hertforshire. AL6 0NP   telephone: 01438 798749

You can download a Membership Form here:  Membership Form

Constitution

The THACS Constitution & Rules are HERE

Affiliation

THACS is affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society