Benefits of membership

Kewites – a worldwide network of current and former Kew staff and students

As a member of the Guild you belong to a network of horticulturists, botanists and mycologists with a wide range of professional experience, offering mentoring, advice and support.

The Journal of the Kew Guild

Published annually in June, includes news of the activities of the Guild, RBG Kew and Kewites worldwide, as well as articles of general interest to members.

The Kew Guild Award Scheme

Supports projects normally relating to horticulture, botany and mycology by sponsoring and administering bursaries, awards and travel scholarships. The scheme also funds annual prizes presented to Kew horticulture and science students and administers the Kew Guild medals

Lectures

The Kew Guild sponsors a lecture at the start of the Kew Mutual Improvement Society (KMIS) lecture programme each autumn, to which Guild members are invited. Kewites may attend other lectures in the programme.

Social events

The opportunity to meet up with fellow Kewites and their families. Events include the Student Supper and Annual Dinner, both held at Kew, the AGM and Soirée held at Kew or Wakehurst Place, and day, weekend, or week-long trips to places of interest around the UK, Ireland or other parts of Europe, often with a horticultural, botanical or mycological theme.

Discount on membership of Kew Gardens

Kewites are entitled to individual membership at the staff discount price of £35. The membership must be paid for by Direct Debit and entitles free entry to Kew and Wakehurst Place for you and a family member, Kew Magazine delivered to your home three times a year and discounts in Kew’s shops. Call 020 8332 3200 with your Guild membership number for more details.

Membership categories

Full Member

Subscription fees: £27 per year; current RBG Kew student/apprentice £15. Has full voting rights and receives a copy of the Journal. Open to:

• current students studying at RBG Kew for a minimum of one year, leading to a diploma, degree, certificate or other qualification;
• past students and past/present staff members of RBG Kew and RBG Kew Enterprises, members of the Kew Foundation, internal trainees, research associates, liaison scientists and volunteers;
• persons previously granted Honorary Membership (see below);
• persons who work, have worked or otherwise have a real interest in the fields of horticulture, botanical and mycological sciences and support the ethical values of the RBG Kew.

Associate Member

No subscription fee. Has no voting rights and does not receive a copy of the Journal. The journal may be purchased for £20. Open to:

• horticultural or scientific bodies, institutions or organisations.

How to join

Please click to download Kew Guild CIO Membership Application Form.

To view this document you will need a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not already have a copy it is available free from the Adobe website.

Complete the form electronically and email to membership@kewguild.org.uk, or print and send by post to the Membership Secretary, Kew Guild, c/o Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE, UK.

Please note

• All membership applications are subject to approval by the Board of Trustees.
• Students/apprentices pay the reduced subscription rate while at Kew, for up to three years.
• Subscriptions are due on 1 January each year and must be renewed by 1 April, otherwise membership will lapse. However, new members who join between 1 September – 31 December will receive membership until 31 December the following year.
• If a member resigns during a year there is no refund of any part of the subscription for that year.

If you have any questions, please contact our Membership Secretary: membership@kewguild.org.uk.