AN Orchid expert from Willand was guest of honour at a special orchid weekend at a garden centre last weekend.

Sue Lane, secretary of the Devon Orchid Society and chair of the British Orchid Council, visited Trelawney @ Ashford Garden Centre in Barnstaple to give free advice on the selection and care of orchids last weekend.

She was joined at the event by Dennis Read who is also from the society, Barry Hampton, president of the society, and Nicola Wakley, chair of the society.

Garden centre Manager, Caroline Howell-Williams said: “We were delighted representatives from the Devon Orchid Society and British Orchid Council were able to visit the garden centre to share their extensive orchid knowledge with our customers.

“BBC gardening personality and orchid expert Tom Hart Dyke was also on site on the Saturday to host a talk on orchids and book signing session to tie in with the launch of his new TV series, Return to Lullingstone Castle’ on BBC 2, which begins next Monday evening (March 19).

“We were delighted Tom was able to visit us during our Orchid Weekend. It was a huge success and we hope he and the members of the Devon Orchid Society be able to visit us again next year sometime.”

By Jean Tilley via : www.middevonstar.co.uk