The International Camellia Society has a members' congress every 18 to 24 months, depending upon hemisphere. Next year the congress will be held in Cornwall, England; the previous congress, in August 2006, was based in Melbourne, Australia.  The congresses have two purposes. First, they provide the way for the camellia world to discuss the latest research in camellia classification, hybridization, and propagation. Second, they are the opportunity for ICS members to renew friendships and make new ones from around the world. There is also the opportunity to visit outstanding gardens, many of which non-members seldom have the opportunity to visit.

Upcoming Schedule

March - April 2008  Cornwall, U.K.

March 2010  Kurume, Japan

March 2012  Chuxiong, China

25TH INTERNATIONAL CAMELLIA CONGRESS

28 March -10 April 2008

INTERNATIONAL CAMELLIA CONGRESS

(full programme details at bottom)

Congress -- Wednesday to Saturday, 2-5 April

Four days, five nights in Falmouth, on the south coast of Cornwall, including the presentation of papers and visits to gardens. Cornwall, with its equable, maritime climate has many of the best gardens in the UK, with historic collections of magnificent camellias.

Two days and three nights in the London area. One day to Exbury and to Plymouth for the night. Then to Mount Edgcumbe and Antony Woodland, arriving in Falmouth on the afternoon of 1 April.

One day from Falmouth to Salisbury for the night. Morning visit to Salisbury Cathedral or garden/nursery and on to Brighton for three nights and two plus days of garden visits in Sussex. Transportation to London airports on 10 April.

General notes:
    The nearest major international airports are London Heathrow and Gatwick. Falmouth is approximately 290 miles (465 kilometers) from London. Therefore, we have made the Pre-Congress Tour and the Post-Congress Tour integral parts of the Congress.

    For those wishing to arrive early, we have secured rooms at the Congress rate at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London.  This is considerably lower than the regular rate.  Please contact Marie-Ann at Eyas telling her when you wish to arrive.  She can give you costs and make arrangements with the hotel.  Her e-mail address:  marie-anne "at" eyas.co.uk.

For those not wishing to join the Pre-Congress Tour, we have arranged a direct coach to Falmouth, from the Renaissance Hotel at Heathrow.  This will leave at 9am on 1 April for the scheduled 7-hour drive to Falmouth.  Rooms have been secured at the Renaissance Hotel for people flying in on 31 March.  Similar arrangements can be made for those not wishing to join the Post-Congress Tour.  Special arrangements will also be made for those wishing to attend the Congress as day guests, and for members wishing to drive from continental Europe and join the tours mid-way through.  Please contact Marie-Anne about arrangements.

Regarding transportation after the Post-Congress Tour to Gatwick and Heathrow airports, or to central London:  please let Marie-Anne know your return flight arrangements, so extra night stay-overs can be made if needed.

Meals:  there should be vegetarian options of the various menus and for the buffets, but it is always important to mention any special dietary requirements on the registration forms.

Please note the lottery for the Buckingham Palace garden visit.  Whoever wants to be entered in this lottery draw should indicate this on the form.  If both persons in a couple wish to be entered, please show 2.

U.K. airport security is tighter than for most other countries.  Currently, for any flight from a U.K. airport -- whether within the U.K., transferring to another flight from a U.K. airport, or to outside the U.K. -- each passenger is limited to one carry-on bag.  A handbag and a camera case, for example, count as two bags and one must be stuffed into the other.  A laptop and a carry-on suitcase count as two bags and must be combined into one.  Any liquids, creams, or lotions must be in containers no larger than 100g (3.4 oz) and all fit into a l-liter (1-quart) zip-lock clear plastic bag.

    Anyone wishing to present a paper at the Congress should contact Pat or Herb Short, 41 Galveston Road, London SW15 2RZ, England. Tel: 44-(0)20-8870-6884; Fax: 44-(0)20-8874-4633; e-mail: patricia_short "at" btconnect.com, or herbshort "at" hotmail.com

on behalf of the UK Directors and 2008 Congress Committee
Pat Short, Congress Corresponding Secretary

With special thanks to our sponsors Camellia Plc, one of the world's largest private producers of tea in two continents, and Cornwall Enterprise, the economic development service for Cornwall.

25th INTERNATIONAL CAMELLIA CONGRESS

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