FOR the first slide show of the autumn season, Peter Sheasby introduced members to the wonderful flora of a South African spring.

Peter has visited the area many times and has a deep knowledge of the plants.

He began his journey in Cape Town and then took members up the west coast, almost to the borders of Namibia, returning by a route closer to the mountains and finally visiting Hout Bay.

As well as the wonderful slides of the colourful carpets of flowers, chief among them the ''star of the veldt'' dimorphotheca, there were slides of tiny rare flowers and many of the bulbs, early relatives of those now found in UK gardens, such as gladioli, iris, schizostylis and ornithogalum.

The next meeting will be on Monday, November 15, at 7.30pm when Les Allen will give an illustrated talk on primulas and auriculas.

Visitors are most welcome to an informal and friendly gathering where a charge of £1.50 includes tea and biscuits.

More details from Where Next Nurseries or the secretary on 404813.