Important info on renewal/joining process + early-bird renewal for 2027 is open now!

You can now join CGS or renew from today, 13th September, through to 25th November 2026.

An important reminder: from this year onwards digital cards are not going to be emailed but are downloadable on renewal from the Members only page on demand. Android and Apple wallets are supported.

Why renew early?

A few good reasons:

• You lock in your 2027 membership before the standard renewal window

• No January scramble, renew now and it's one less thing on your list over the busy winter months.

• Your digital card for 2027 is ready to download straight away from the Members Area, rather than waiting for the new year.

When I wrote about self-service digital cards last month, I mentioned your card becomes available "as soon as your membership payment is validated by a member of the committee." That validation used to mean me manually checking each payment and updating your record by hand.

That step is now automated. Once your payment goes through, whether you renew online or I process it manually after you've paid another way, our system checks it and updates your membership automatically, usually within the hour. You don't need to wait on a person with a to-do list; your card is ready to add to your wallet the same day.

It's a small change behind the scenes, but it means less waiting for you and less admin, and less of a wait for your card!

What it costs

Membership for 2027 remains is £7 for digital-only. If you'd like a physical card as well, it's £7.50 in total, a small extra cost, same as before.

Physical cards ordered in the Early-bird period will be available for collection at the AGM, then we will take the winter off, and new members will have physical cards issued from 1st January, but if you're digital-only (which most of you now are), your card is available the day your renewal is processed.

How to renew

• Before starting please check you have our email addresses saved in your email (info@claygate-gardening.org, Claygate-gardening@gmail.com)

• If you are renewing, please do renew using your existing email address/account - check your Account on the Members Area if you need.

• Head to the membership renewal form on the website (click ‘Join Now’) and join, or renew

• If your details have changed (address, phone numbers, demographics, interest, gardening memberships etc) please select ‘renew and refresh details’.

• Complete the form and submit.

• Make a note of your order number.

Please do pay online as it is the most efficient method for our volunteers to manage the payments. However, if you wish to paying by a method, i.e. at an event, other than online checkout, just let me know and I'll get it recorded. In this instance I create an order in the back end, manually, and it flows through the same automatic system either way, as noted however, this requires manual effort and processing, so is not immediate and puts extra strain on our limited volunteers.

After you renew

• You will receive emails notifying you of your membership process but will not receive your card via email

• Wait about 1 hour after renewal/joining for the system to update.

• Use your phone to log in to the ‘Members Area’ on the website - use the same email address that your account is associated with

• [See the image below] You should see a drop down allowing you to select either your 2026 or 2027 card for download. If you do not see this, check back later. If you still do not see this contact us on our email above.

• Open the ‘Members Area’ and click on the relevant button for your device, the card will be made available.

  • Apple Wallet Card - select ‘Add to Wallet’ on the screen to add the card (top right)

  • Google Wallet Card - a new window will open in your browser showing your card. Select ‘Add to wallet’ (below the card)

    
    

  

Thanks as ever for your patience while we keep improving this, bit by bit, it all adds up to less faff for everyone.

Happy gardening,

Kat, CGS Membership & Web