Our talk in February was entitled “Light among the Trees, British Wildlife and Conservation” given by Mr Peter Beale. I was on holiday at the end of February but I have been told by a lot of people how enjoyable the evening was and a lot of our members requested that Mr Beale make a return visit sometime in the future. We had several new members that evening so a warm welcome to you.
On the 16th March we had our annual social evening in the MSC. Nearly forty people enjoyed the meal, once again cooked by Esme and her helpers. Thanks Esme, you do a great job. Afterwards we had a talk given by Stan Bates, our Vice Chairman, telling us about the antics that he and his many friends got up to when they were young boys. Many of the tales involved going off for the whole day without their parents having to worry about where on earth they were. As Stan said, how sad it is that these days children do not experience the same sort of freedom that he and his friends did when they were young.
Our talk on the 26th March was given by Sue Wooster on “Alpine Campanulas”. Sue fell in love with these alpine plants when she saw them in their natural environment in various mountain terrains. She is now the holder of the national collection of the plants which involves much work, both in administration and in the garden. She is trying to propagate some of the rare varieties so that they are more available to the public. She showed some lovely slides and also brought many varieties of the campanulas for sale and after her talk she did a brisk trade, with many members buying plants to take home and grow in their own gardens. Some of the plants need special conditions and a certain amount of time and trouble, but Sue was so enthusiastic about them that many of us were tempted to have a go.
We have a Bring and Buy Sale of Plants on the 14th May. Last year this was very successful and we had lots of plants, cuttings, seedlings, etc for sale, so hopefully this year’s will be just as successful. Now that the weather is becoming warmer and our thoughts are turning to growing new things and tidying our gardens up, hopefully people will think about the sale and pot various things up ready for the 14th May.
Coach Outings
There are still seats on the coaches for our two outings this year. The first is to Glen Chantry Gardens and Nursery in the morning and then in the afternoon to Hyde Hall Gardens. This is on Friday 15th June. The second one is on Saturday 28th July and is to Capel Manor Gardens. If you are interested please give Jackie a ring on 01440 820108 for more information. Everyone is welcome on our coach trips - you do not have to be a member of the Horticultural Society.
Schedules for the Summer Show
The Show this year is on Saturday 14th July. Schedules are now available from Jackie (8 Croft Close, Wickhambrook) or from the Shop and from other committee members. These are free again this year, so please pick one up and have a look at what you are able to enter. I know that I have nagged and nagged you in previous years to have a go and put in an entry for the Flower Show, and this year is no exception. Without your support we cannot have a Flower Show, so please, please do make an effort, put in an entry (or entries) and come along and have a look around the village hall on Saturday, 14th July. As is usual, entries have to be made on the Wednesday before the Flower Show (11th July) at the W.I. Hall between 6.30 and 8.30 p.m. Each entry is only 10p so do have a go.
Just a reminder that if you want to enter your garden for the two cups - The Giffords Cup for the Best Cottage Garden or the William and Nancy King Cup for the Best Kept Flower Garden (entry fee 20p) then entries close on Saturday, 30th June 2007. Judging will take place on Monday 2nd July 2007. Entry can be made through Mrs J Cook on 01440 820461. As well as the two cups, there is a First Prize of £3, Second Prize of £2 and a Third Prize of £1 for each of these cups.
Enjoy your gardening.
Jackie Fieldsend |
