This year sees the ninetieth anniversary of the formation of the Herb Society. In 1927 Hilda Leyel (1880 – 1957) founded the Society of Herbalists, which would later become the Herb Society, with the aim of supporting the practice of herbal medicine in Britain.

For more about this fascinating lady, who did many charitable works, and founded the Culpeper shops, do see the current issue of our journal Herbs (42.1, March 2017). We are proud to have her grandson, Peter Leyel as a patron of our society.

To help celebrate our 90th birthday, we would love to publish members’ thoughts on herbs and what the Herb Society means to them. Members – do contact Herbs journal editor Barbara Segall urgently with any thoughts or messages, or even a photo, to be published later this year.Do email Barbara at barbara@bsegall.plus.com – members only please! She would love to receive any thoughts and/or photos by Friday 7th April to give her time to put them in the next issue of the journal.

I will be sending Barbara my herb memories, which include visiting a sensory garden as a child. The first time I came across the Herb Society was when I met Barbara at a conference about lavender in 2009 and I have been a member ever since. Herbs are such a broad subject, it’s great to be able to meet people with such a range of interests, from gardening through craft, cosmetics, remedies, medicine and history.

If you would like to receive the journal or are interested in finding out more about membership and the Herb Society, do visit our main site at herbsociety.org.uk

Another benefit of membership is Nicky Westwood’s very informative e-newsletter. In the April edition, she shares her memories of the society, having been involved in its administration for many years. If you are a member and don’t receive this email, do contact info@herbsociety.org.uk to update your information.

Written by Ruth Ridley