Founded on St George's Day April 23rd 1897 originally as The Manchester Orchid Society it was to become The North of England Orchid Society around 1973. Initially, meetings would be held fortnightly in The Coal Exchange Manchester, when enthusiastic members from many parts of England would bring their plants to be admired and judged. On December 18th, 1913 over 1000 plants were displayed at such an event. Apart from the odd brief interlude during both World Wars, the Society has been meeting regularly since its inception. Nowadays, meetings continue on a monthly basis, each one still a judged show in its own right, with members competing on a friendly basis for annual challenge trophies covering some 20 or so classes.