The West Vancouver Garden Club was founded in 1963 by a small group of gardening enthusiasts who wanted to meet with others and share their passion for gardening and the beautification of North Shore. On 26 March 1964, it was formalized and registered as a Not-for-Profit society.
Over the next 6 decades, the club has grown to become part of the heritage of West Vancouver.
Aims & Objectives
- The beautification of the North Shore
- Encouraging knowledge of local plants and gardens
- Exchanging ideas on improving our community
The topics covered in events from the past tell us a lot about the wide ranging interests that engaged club members over the decades. These included growing perennials, caring for specific varieties like alpines and zinnias, building a water garden, tool maintenance, Winter gardens as well as park and nursery tours.
Club Leadership
The first President was Anna Chree, and board consisted of Judy Yorston (Vice-President), May Doctor (Treasurer) Audrey Newton, G E Redfern and Ivy Thompson. The Estate of Anna Chree (D:1983) provided grants to support gardening in local schools as well as the Anna Chree Memorial Fountain at the Community Centre.
Past Presidents
- 1962-64 Anna Chree
- 1964-65 Judy Yorston
- 1966-67 Eva Holmes
- 1968-69 Stella Walch
- 1970 S Merrit
- 1971 Margaret Gray
- 1972-73 Marion Gibson
- 1974-75 Sylvia Tanner
- 1975-78 Elain Bliss
- 1978-80 J Baker
- 1980-82 Pat Strike
- 1982-83 Lydia Libby
- 1983-86 Jim Hemphill
- 1986-87 Linda Swain
- 1987-89 John Cribdon
- 1989-91 Catherine Rahme
- 1991-93 Michael Evison
- 1993-95 Beverly Merryfield
- 1995-97 Verity Goodler
- 1997-99 Lilian Thiersch
- 1999-2001 Lori Baker
- 2001-03 Deborah Brown
- 2003-05 Arlene Watson
- 2005-07 Margaret Chester
- 2007-08 Philip Gowland
- 2008-10 Cathryn Gibson
- 2010-12 Brenda Cole
- 2012-14 Louis Peterson
- 2015-17 Mary Hamm
- 2017-19 Kathleen Glynn-Morris
- 2020-23 Cathy Legate
