Westmount Horticultural Society

Westmount Horticultural Society was founded by Stuart Robertson, who having written the by-laws became its first president.  The following year Cynthia Lulham, co-founder with Stuart Robertson, became the second president (1998-1999).
As stated in the by-laws the objectives of the society are 'to foster, study and encourage Horticulture'. 
For the first three years meetings were held in Victoria Hall.  The first one to discuss the formation of the society was held on May 19th, 1998.  For the last seven years meetings have taken place in the Westmount Room of the Westmount Library, on the second Tuesday of each month, except for July and August.  A seasonal newsletter, 'The Garden Grapevine' gives information and dates of lectures and other activities eg. the annual plant exchange and sale, summer visits to interesting gardens, day trips etc.  The original fee for membership of $10 has increased to $15 and this year we have 65 members.

"BRAND NEW GARDENING CLUB"

Published May 14, 1998

by Stuart Robertson

It's not often that a brand new horticultural society is formed in a region as well established as the island of Montreal and that's what makes this news rather exciting.

At long last, the city of Westmount is planning to have its very own society.  Heaven knows, there are enough keen gardeners there to fill one several times over, and many Westmounters have been members of active groups like the Montreal Garden Club and the Diggers and Weeders over the years.

But the little city on the little mountain has never really had a club that held monthly evening meetings with regular guest speakers and tea and cookies afterwards where you could swap stories with your neighbours.  Until now that is.

The idea has been bubbling beneath the surface for a while and as a result of the very positive response from citizens to several municipally encouraged recruitment campaigns, a small but dedicated group have called a general meeting for May 19.

Anyone, first time gardener or experienced green thumb is welcome to come to the first ever meeting.  A cross section of some of the potential members who've shown an interest includes people with small and large city properties to look after, gardens in the country, community vegetable gardens and apartment balcony container gardens.  So there's interest at a lot of different levels and plenty of topics for guest lecturers to speak about in the future.

In order to be a founding member you'll have to pay the annual membership fee of $10 at the door, then you can take part in the voting to make the club a reality.  There are a few small details to be decided at the first meeting, since they haven't even settled on a name for themselves yet and they have to have by-laws and elect a small executive committee.

And once that's out of the way, the new organization can get on with being what so many other similar groups are throughout the province: a place where one can have fun, talking about and learning and messing about in the garden.

PRESIDENTS SINCE 1998

1997-1998               Stuart Robertson - President  &  Cynthia Lulham - Vice President

1998-1999               Cynthia Lulham - President  &  Diana Bruno - Vice President

1999-2000               Cynthia Lulham - President  &  Diana Bruno - Vice President

2000-2001               Cynthia Lulham - President &  Diana Bruno - Acting & Vice President

2001-2002               Diana Bruno - President  &  Lorraine Craig - Vice President

2002-2003               Diana Bruno - President  &  Gabrielle Pilot - Vice President

2003-2004               Diane Cameron - President &  Brigitta Brittain - Vice President

2004-2005               Diane Cameron - President & Brigitta Brittain - Vice President

2005-2006               Diane Cameron - President & Brigitta Brittain - Vice President

2006-2007               Brigitta Brittain & Gabrielle Pilot - Joint Presidents & Elizabeth Tsuk - Vice President