This article was written for Annabel & Grace, which is now part of Rest Less.
Throughout May The Joy Club will be providing an array of live online events, recordings and articles on the subject of gardening. However green your thumbs may be, their events will be suitable for gardeners of all abilities – allowing everyone to get a head start on their gardening to make the most of your outdoor spaces during the warmer months (when they finally decide to make an appearance!)
NEW! Audio from The Joy Club
For anyone who’s already getting stuck in with some gardening, you can now enjoy The Joy Club outside – in the sunshine – with their new audio recordings. These recordings are available for members to listen to wherever they are, whatever they’re doing and at whatever time suits their schedule. Importantly, members can dip in and out of the recordings, without being tied to a computer when the sun is shining outside!
If you are already a member, have a listen to their first few audio recordings:
- An interview with a member of The Joy Club.
- A guided meditation with Therapeutic Yoga Practitioner Lily Gauri.
- An historical lecture on the 1970s housewives’ strike with Professor Maggie Andrews.
This is just the beginning of the journey – more audio recordings will be added over the coming weeks, so sign up to become a member and listen on the go with The Joy Club.
Read on to find out more about how you can get involved…
Plants from the ends of the earth
Tuesday 9th May at 2pm
Take a look at the origins of familiar and not so familiar garden plants and the exploits of the Plant Hunters, who risked everything to bring new varieties to the West and to whom today’s gardens owe so much.
Gardeners unite!
Tuesday 16th May at 2pm
Helen will start the session by taking you through the creation of her recent new garden. She took it from building site to lush green space in three years, through her enduring battle with clay, rubble, barren soil, and gale-force winds.
This is an interactive session, so Helen wants to hear what type of gardener you are, or would like to be. What types of problems do you have? What do you have expertise in?
Photographing plants and flowers
Monday 22nd May at 2pm
From our domestic gardens to local parks and wild open spaces, the longer days of spring and summer afford the opportunity to photograph nature in all its beauty. Whether you use a smartphone or a DSLR (or something in between) we’ll look at different ways to capture the colours, patterns and textures of plant life (including interior still life images with cut or dried flowers).
A preserves masterclass with Beth Thomas
Thursday 25th May at 4pm
Home preservation is the perfect way to reap the rewards of seasonal fruits and vegetables for months to come, retaining their wonderful flavour and health benefits. Join MasterChef’s Beth Thomas who will cover all the basics of home preservation from pickling and fermenting to jam and chutney making.
How much does it cost to become a member of The Joy Club?
There’s plenty more to discover and enjoy at The Joy Club. If you’re not already a member, you can sign up and enjoy one month of free Premium membership (normally £9.99 a month), which will give you unlimited access to all their sessions, their new daily uplifting articles and a library of on-demand events. You won’t need to provide your card details and there’s no obligation to stay on after your free trial.
About The Joy Club
The Joy Club is an online activity club and community that provides inspiration for a joyful retirement. Members can try something new at live online events, enjoy classes at their leisure with a growing library of recordings and discover something new to read every day with their wealth of member-written articles. Membership is open to anyone living in the UK who is retired or semi-retired.
“I am a real fan of this club and so enjoy taking part online from the warmth and safety of my home. It is a gentle and welcoming place to be and to be part of.”
JANE