BRATTON Clovelly and District Garden Club recently visited Trewithen Gardens near St Austell to seek inspiration for their own gardens.

Twenty-nine of the club's members visited the gardens to see the stunning early displays of azaleas, rhododendrons and magnolias caused by the sweltering sunshine.

The visit to the gardens was followed by the club's monthly meeting, where Tim Ellis from Ellis Nurseries at Polyphant gave a talk on his history as a gardener.

Tim's talk encompassed his humble beginnings sowing sunfower seeds in his mother's back garden through his extensive works in Brighton's parks and gardens, finishing with how he came to open his own nursery.

The club's next meeting will take place on May 17 at Bratton Clovelly School room. Plant hunting in the Himalayas will be the intriguing topic of Barry Philips' talk. Guests are welcome.

The club also holds its annual plant sale takes place on May 26, with many bargains to be had.