Annual Newsletter 2023
The Courtyard Garden at 'Wildside' in Devon, created by Keith & Ros Wiley
CHAIRMAN'S ANNUAL REVIEW 2023
This past year has seen us bring back some of the old (favourites) and some things new.
So in January Cherry Taylor talked to us about her use of no-dig gardening methods in developing her amazing garden at Llangattock. This is not the first time time we have heard about no-dig and it won’t be the last because for me it ticks all the boxes - productive, sustainable … and easy on the back! In February Pip Smith gave a very entertaining talk on his experiences as a head gardener. At our Spring Flower Show in March Mandy Bradshaw gave a very professional illustrated talk on local gardens through the seasons. This year there was a good number of entries to the show and they were of a high quality. I would like to thank Mike Haines for organising the event and Tom for Edwards judging the entries.
Our major fund raising event of the year is the plant sale in April and this year we raised a substantial sum. The quantity of plants was probably down on previous years but the quality was excellent. So thank you to all those who donated the plants and to all the volunteers who helped sell them on the day. Particular thanks to Sue Davis who spearheaded the planning and to the refreshments team, led by Nicole. I am hoping that many of you have already started to pot up plants for next yar’s sale, particularly by dividing plants from your own gardens. and If you know the plant’s name please add a label to help identify it for prospective buyers.
In May we were pleased to be able to support our local flower grower - Wye Vally Flowers. Jo Thompson took us through their history and arranged tours of the site followed by tea and cake. A very enjoyable evening (even though we had to dodge the rain). In June we had a talk on Poole Cottage garden which we had previously seen six years ago. This was followed up by a re-visit to the garden in July. The talk and subsequent visit were very enjoyable and for those who had previously seen the garden it was very interesting to see how it had developed.
In July a few of us met, together with Parish Grasslands members, in Harthill Cottage wood. A very pleasant occasion and many thanks to our hosts, Judy Craven and Mike Topp. Our last two talks were a very interesting one on unusual fruit and vegetables by Kevin Alviti and a return visit by the excellent speaker Razvan Chisu, who this time talked about plants and castles in his home region of Transylvania.
Our final talk of the year at the AGM in November is by Duncan Coombs who will be advising us what plants we can grow in late winter and early spring.
Our free tree initiative in conjunction with the Woodland Trust last Autumn resulted in seven local people receiving over 1200 tree saplings, together with supporting canes and rabbit guards. Looking forward, we are considering how we can provide help to some local people to develop their gardens, particularly in a sustainable way.
There have been no changes to your Committee over the past year and the current members are all seeking re-election at the AGM. On your behalf I would like to thank Sue Davis, Christine Haines, Nicole Surrell, Gill and Martin Morris for their work in support of the Society.
Mike Weeks (Chairman)
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
to be held in Mackenzie Hall. Brockweir
at 7.30 p.m. on Friday 17th November, 2023
At this meeting, all the Officers and Ordinary Members of the Committee will retire. All members of the Committee are seeking re-election, except Annie Williams, John Gooder and Anne Downes. The remainiing Officers and Ordinary Committee Members offer themselves for re-election, as well as Nicole Surrell (as Membership Secretary) Martin Morris (as Secretary) and Gill Norris., who were co-opted on to the committee since the last AGM.
The proposed for re-election at this AGM are as follows:
OFFICERS
Chair: Mike Weeks
Vice Chair: Sue Davis
Secretary: Martin Morris
Treasurer: Sue Davis
ORDINARY COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Membership Secretary: Nicole Surrell
Programme Secretary: Christine Haines
Member: Gill Morris
NOMINATIONS for officers or ordinary committee members should be submitted in writing, before the meeting, to the Secretary, Martin Morris at: wyegardensociety@gmail.com
Please give the name of the person proposed, the office proposed, and the names and signatures of the proposer and seconder.
Martin Morris
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ANNUAL PLANT SALE
Our annual Plant Sale in April was a great success, and despite the rain, there was a long queue waiting to get in when I opened the door. I could see people’s noses twitching as they caught the smell of the delicious cakes on the refreshment stall, which did a roaring trade. Almost all the plants were sold within the first hour. There were fewer than usual, probably because of the late Spring. We took £896.75 of which £172.70 was from the refreshment stall. Expenses were £120 so our profit was £776.75. Not bad but not as good as some previous years. As this is our main source of income, paying for high quality speakers, helping our projects, and keeping the membership fees down, let’s keep up our efforts in 2024.
Plant Sale 2024
Now is a good time to be preparing for next year’s sale. So when you are tidying your garden and thinning out your plants, pot up the thinnings and allow them to develop good roots over the winter, rather than throwing them away. Over the years we’ve developed a reputation for selling high quality plants, rather than those that have only just been potted up. So a bit of forward thinking is needed. I’ll try to remember that!
DOBIES'S CATALOGUE
We now have the Dobies seed catalogue for 2024, although it’s not just for flower and vegetable seeds. You can also get bulbs, fruit, fruit trees, potatoes, garlic, onions and shallots. We get a 50% discount off all packet seeds, and 15% off the rest. if you haven’t picked up your catalogue at a r meeting, give me a call on 01594 531460 for your copy.
Sue Davis
MEMBERS' OFFERS NOT TO BE MISSED!
No-Dig Gardening
Following on from our successful January meeting with Cherry Taylor, ‘ No dig Gardening’,
went on to spend a day on one of Charles Dowding’s ‘No Dig’ courses at his home in Somerset. On return i signed up to Charles’ weekly updates for a cost of £5 a month. These give an account, with photographs, of Charles’ garden. What is growing well, what seeds he has trialled, what he is sowing at present and what he is harvesting. He gives many tips on watering, compost making and planting combinations, getting the most from his beds.
I contacted Charles’ PA and arranged that I can distribute this weekly update to members of the Garden Society, free of charge. If you are interested in receiving this weekly update, let me know at our next meeting or email wyegardensociety@mail.com
Nicole Surrell
Hope Farm - members discount offer
As a member, you will also be entitled to a 10% discount at Hope Farm, St Briavels during November and December on production of a current Garden Society membership card.
