Our new season of meetings began on
the 27th September. Although we had not had a meeting since the
21st June, there had been one evening visit to the gardens of Lady
Nourse at Dullingham, a coach trip in July to Wisley Gardens and
the Summer Show on the 9th July. Unfortunately on the evening we
visited Dullingham the weather was not very kind but Lady Nourse
was very welcoming and we all enjoyed a glass of wine!! Her garden
was lovely, but would have been lovelier if the weather had been
better!!
The trip to Wisley went very well and we were extremely lucky with
the weather on this trip. It started to rain just after we got there,
but one of our members went to buy a plastic mac and had no sooner
put it on than the rain stopped and it was fine for the rest of
the day. Apparently there were thunder storms in many areas whilst
we were at Wisley and torrential rain around Wickhambrook that day,
so we were extremely lucky. The gardens at Wisley were their usual
high standard and there was lots and lots to see. Although the entries
were slightly down for the Summer Show, lots of people came to see
the exhibits and enjoyed the Show. The flower arranging classes
were very well supported this year and they made the hall look so
welcoming and colourful. Thanks to everyone who entered any of the
classes, because without your support and enthusiasm we would not
be able to have a Summer Show.
As many people will already know, our Chairman for the past two
years is leaving the area and is going to live by the sea at Hunstanton.
David has done a marvellous job and will be sadly missed. No one
was keen to volunteer for the Chairpersons job, but in a mad moment
I volunteered and at our meeting of the 27th September David officially
handed over to me. I will of course try to do a good job, but David
is a hard act to follow and we will miss him (and of course Catherine,
David's wife, who was a committee member) a great deal. David has
a wonderful sense of humour and one of things he will be remembered
for were his 'auctioning skills' at our annual bring and buys. David
and Catherine will probably be around for some time yet but we all
wish them both all the best for their new life in Hunstanton.
The meeting on the 27th September was a talk on 'Orchids' given
by Mrs Shirley Patrick of the Ipswich Orchid Society. Her husband
came along to help carry the plants into the hall, but he was as
knowledgeable as his wife as regards orchids. As well as the plants
they brought along they had slides to show which were absolutely
beautiful. We all enjoyed listening to their talk and asking them
many questions regarding growing and propagating the different kinds
of orchids.
On the 22nd November the talk is entitled 'The Winter Garden' by
Mr Frances Mount. Please note that this is a change from the talk
in our programmes. All meetings begin at 7.30pm in the W.I. Hall
and new members will always be made most welcome.
On the 26th November we have our Annual General Meeting, again beginning
at 7.30pm in the W.I. Hall. The business is usually very quickly
over and then we have an enjoyable cheese and wine evening and chance
for a chat amongst ourselves. We will hopefully be able to recruit
some new committee members to replace David and Catherine.
Our last meeting of the year, on the 13th December, will be a Grand
Quiz Evening. The winner of the quiz will be presented with 'The
Flora Cup' and there will be many other super prizes as well.
Hope to see you at some or all of the above meetings.
Jackie Fieldsend
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