British Pteridological Society
The society for fern enthusiasts
Meetings and events
The BPS attends various horticultural shows and exhibitions through the year, we also run meets organised by our regional groups, a programme of national meetings, online talks in the winter and occasional overseas visits. Members are welcome to attend any local or national event for free, whether it is in their region or not.
May 2026
SCOTTISH GROUP
Sunday 17th May 2026
Holyrood Park, Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh
Visit to survey the colony of Adder’s tongue (Ophioglossum vulgatum) in Hunter’s Bog. Also expect to see several species of Equisetum, as well as Forked spleenwort (Asplenium septentrionale)
Leader: Bridget Laue email: scotland@britishfernsociety.org.uk
EDUCATION GROUP
Friday 22nd May 2026 13:00 - Sunday 24th May 2026 17:00
Ten students from across the UK attended the Ferns: Ecology and Identification HAU course at the Field Studies Council Rhyd y Creuau, North Wales
A two and half day course introducing you to the world of pteridophytes, including ferns, horsetails, clubmosses, and quillworts. Hosted by the Field Studies Council and part of the Harper Adams University Master's programme this residential course places a strong emphasis on field idenfication and accurate biological record creation.
Yorkshire and Northwest Fern Groups
Sunday 30th May 2026 - 09:30am Callis Wood, Hebden Bridge, pm Bride Stones Moor, Todmorden
This meeting is planned to coincide, hopefully, with the optimum time to see Botrychium on Bride Stones Moor above Todmorden (SD 9327 263) where we will meet up with the Bradford Botany Group in the afternoon. In the morning we will visit Callis wood (SD9831 2690) to see Vandenboschia speciosa. The gametophyte was first found at this site in 1989 by Fred Rumsey, Don Farrar and Clive Jermy and the large sporophyte was later discovered in 2018 by the Yorkshire Fern Group.
Itinerary: Meet at 9:30 am to set off walking at 9:45 on New Road at (SD 9864 2706) just beyond the traffic calmed section by the wall. There is a steep uphill road walk before taking the wood path to the site. (Gate, SD 9831 2690) Walking is moderate with some steepish areas.
At the site there is a stream with boulders and steep sides. Access to some areas requires caution and agility due to years of accumulated vegetation and leaf litter in the crevices. Wellingtons highly recommended to transverse some of the stream (Could be brought to the site in a separate bag) otherwise sturdy boots needed and the usual outdoor gear.
Afternoon: Drive to the second site to meet up at 13:30 (to be re assessed) with the Bradford Botany group. Park on the layby at SD 9375 2681 on Eastwood Road. It is suggested we have lunch after parking up, prior to looking for Moonworts. The terrain on Bride Stones is light, and walking boots are fine.
The turn round schedule is tight, in order to get to the Bride Stones, meet at 1:30. Thus I may have to alter the meeting time at Bride Stones, but I will feed back on this.
SOUTH EAST AND WESSEX grouP
Sunday 30th May 2026 - 11:00am
Moonwort Monitoring, Linwood and Beaulieu Heath
Meeting at Appleslade Bottom Car Park (Grid Ref SU 1845 0919) This is near the Red Shoot Inn Post code BH24 3QT
The first site we are to look at has some Botrychium lunaria at a site we have been monitoring for a number of years. It would be good if we could see how many, and see if we can find any more in the area.
Lunch at the pub or in the car park.
Then meet at Beaulieu Heath Inclosure Car Park, (Grid Ref SU 358 004)
Two species of Ophioglossum growing near each other and Botrychium lunaria if we're lucky.
Finally to Boldre for Tea and cakes at the “Basil’s”
14 Royden Lane Boldre SO41 8PE The post code might take you 150m north of our house.
April 2026
Saturday 18th April 2026 10:30am
Annual General Meeting
The AGM will be held by Zoom, starting at 10:30. To register for the event and receive a link please click here. A link to the AGM will be emailed to you just before the event.
The 123rd BPS AGM Agenda can be found here (AGM Agenda PDF)
Scottish Group Meeting
Sunday 19th April 2026 6pm
Evening talks
Talks including: Heather McHaffie: “An introduction to eight common ferns” and Kevin Bannon: “Restoring the historic Palm House at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh”
There will also be a chance for general discussion, including our plans for the 2026 season.
NATIONAL MEETING
Saturday 25th April 2026 10:30am
BPS Annual Spring Meeting, Learning Centre at RHS Harlow Carr, Harrogate
We're returning to Harlow Carr for our National Spring Meeting. The Theme of the Day is: What's New in the Fern World! We'll have a series of talks, tour of the gardens, book and plant sales, merchandise, a chance to pick up some of the remainder spores and catch up with old BPS friends and meet new ones.
March 2026
COMMITTEE MEETING
Tuesday17th March 2026 7pm
BPS Committee Meeting
JOIINT BPS / HFF ONLINE webinar
Saturday 21st March 2026 (10am PST) 5pm GMT
Fern collection and propagation at Bokrijk Arboretum
A Joint British Pteridological Society and Hardy Fern Foundation meeting with an overview of Bokrijk Arboretum’s fern collection, its development over time, propagation methods in our on-site nursery, and examples of how these plants perform in the garden.
Sven is a gardener and collection specialist at Arboretum Bokrijk in Belgium, home to the largest Holly collection in Europe and notable collections of oaks, Magnolia, bamboo, Rhododendron, Cyclamen and of course ferns. The arboretum has a nursery on site, focusing on fern propagation.
Sven’s passion for plants began in childhood with collecting orchids and joining the local orchid society. Over time, his interests expanded to include exotic hardy plants, rare trees and shrubs, shade plants, and, of course, ferns… Sven’s private garden reflects his deep love for plants, featuring a diverse collection of bamboos, trees and shrubs, woodland plants, xerophytes and a spectacular green wall with mainly ferns and Gesneriads.
February / Chwefror 2026
EDUCATION GROUP
Wednesday 4th February 2026: 1pm -2:30pm
Spore Sowing Workshop
Bioscience Building, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, L39 4QP
No parking on campus is available for this event due to it being within working hours and therefore permit parking only. There are limited places to park on surrounding streets. There is parking in ormskirk town around 15 minutes walk away or the Edge Link bus taken be taken for the cost of £1
We're running a workshop to teach people how to propagate ferns from spore. We'll prepare all material needed and bring spores along too. The process taught are easy to replicate at home. A free event, we'll be asking for cash donations on the day to recoup costs and excess will go to supporting the EHU National Collection of British Native and Naturalised Ferns.
RSVP: Please Email Kieran Heggs at 25614185@edgehill.ac.uk to let him know of your attendance. If you don't do so we cannot guarantee that there will be enough prepared material for everyone
EAST ANGLIA GROUP
Saturday 14th February 2026 11:00am
Oulton Broad indoor meeting: Terrariums
Speakers: Alex West, Matthew Reeve and Steve Munyard. To register please contact Peter Blake via eastanglia@britishfernsociety.org.uk
January 2026
Saturday 17th January 6pm(GMT)
The Genus Psilotum – Boring twigs or fascinating relic? by Peter Blake
Psilotum nudum is often shown at fern events as a prehistoric oddity. It may be commented on and then forgotten. However, this fascinating genus deserves more attention. A fascinating talk by East Anglia group leader Peter Blake on what we know, and don't know about this suprisingly charismatic genus.
A joint British Pteridological Society / Hardy Fern Foundation event.
December 2025
Saturday 20th December 6pm(GMT)
Fern Forays in Borneo with Michael Sundue
Michael talked through the diverse ferns of Borneo through expeditions in Sarawak and Sabah, investigating their evolution and biogeography in various habitats.
Michael Sundue is a fern taxonomist at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. His research combines field work, herbarium study, and molecular phylogenetics to understand broad patterns of diversity and evolution. He regularly conducts field expeditions to tropical biodiversity hotspots.
November 2025
Saturday 15th November at 6pm(GMT) on Zoom.
Little House in the Flood Plain with Daniel Moun
In this presentation Daniel shared his experiences of gardening in the floodplain of the Lower Snoqualmie River east of Seattle. With a climate both colder and wetter than the Puget Sound Basin, he and his partner Michael have faced many challenges developing their rough and tumble farm/garden nestled in the wilds of the Carnation Marsh Natural Area. A fasniating talk with some stunning images, Daniel's passion and stunning photographs illustrated just a few of the 270+ ferns and other fascinating taxa he grows.
British Pteridological Society
c/o Algae, Fungi and Plants Division,
The Natural History Museum
Cromwell Road
London SW7 5BD
Established 1891
Registered Charity No. 1092399
Patron His Majesty King Charles III
