The 2011 Garden Club Calendar

Ros Nichols is currently putting together the finishing touches to the 2011 Garden Club calendar. Orders will be taken at the next meeting and the Coffee Morning on Tuesday 30th November. Images from the 2010 Garden visits will form the images for each month.

Spring Show Bulb Growing Competition

Bulbs are available now for the members competition at next year's Spring Flower Show on Saturday 2nd April 2011.

Get them at the next meeting on Tuesday 9th November or the Coffee Morning on Tuesday 30th November.

Five double narcissi Rip Van Winkle bulbs have been purchased for members to grown in a 2 litre pot. Costing just £1.50 - have a go and see what you can grow.

Garden Visits Summer & Autumn 2010

Sorry for the absence of posts for a while. I will endeavour to play catch up now.

July's Garden Visit was to Hidcote Manor in Glouchestershire.

August saw a visit to Bennett's Water Garden near Weymouth. A charming garden based around 3 lakes all with a variety of different coloured water lillies.

In September we visited the Bishop's Palace at Wells. It was a beautiful sunny day and some members went on a guided tour while others wandered the gardens at their own pace. Artistic sculptures were scattered around the grounds and beautiful relections of the neighbouring Abbey could also be seen.

For October and autumn colour we visited the small Dorset village of Mintere and the hidden gardens at Minterne House. With the visit planned for the last week of October we did wonder whether it would be too late but it turned out to be perfect timing for beautiful Acers and Beeches amongst many others. After a circular walk around the extended gardens and following a stream and pond some members visited the neighbouring church. We then set off some very narrow lanes to the even smaller village of Poyntington for a cream tea provided by the local WI.

Shady Ladies & Damp Damsels by Sally Gregson

October's evening talk was by Sally Gregson who runs a small nursery near Wookey in Someset. The evening proved to be an informative and interesting discussion on shade loving plants and those who preferred damp conditions.

Tiverton Carnival Flower Fairies & Friends Success

WE WON! Yes, our float and walkers won the best local entry class in Tiverton Carnival on Saturday. We are so delighted. The atmosphere was brilliant and our greatest thanks goes to those who helped and supported us in any way share or form.

Our theme was the flower fairies and friends we find at the bottom of the garden and here are the photos:

Autumn Season commences

The first of the autumn season of talks proved very popular with over 70 people attending. John Bennett, vice-Chairman addressed the audience and introduced the speaker, John Randall from the Devon Wildlife Trust who gave us his very informative talk on the Butterflies of Devon. It was surprising to learn about the number of different species but a little sad that, because of changes in habitats and climate, so many were dwindling in numbers. It was intriguing to see how each butterfly went through its life-cycle and Mr Randall explained the minimal difference between butterflies and moths, being basically the shape of the antenna.
Of special interest were his details of the large Blue which was virtually extinct in 1979, but which has been reintroduced and is now thriving in certain sites on Dartmoor. A result!

The vice Chairman thanked Mr Randall and he proceeded to answer questions over a welcome cup of tea. The next meeting is on 5th October and speaker will be Sally Gregson with talk entitled "Shady Ladies and Damp Damsels".

Garden visit to Kew Gardens

A few photos from the visit to Kew

Visit to Hampton Court Palace

Here are a few of the photos I took and thebrilliant photo of the deer in the park is by Val Payne.

Three days in the South East inc Wisley

A few photos from Wisley

42 members recently enjoyed a lovely weekend in the south east of England. We stayed two nights in a hotel at Shepperton and visited three completely different gardens.

An early departure from the coach station on the first day and a straight forward no delay journey meant we got to our first destination early. RHS Garden Wisley. A dry pleasant afternoon with sunny intervals greeted us in the south east.

The second day allowed us a full day at Hampton Court Palace.

Finally after breakfast on the final day we arrived at Kew Gardens at 10 o'clock and were there for six hours to wander freely.

A surprise meal on the way home ended a fabulous three days.

Pictures to follow from Kew and Hampton Court.

Mid Devon Show success

Our exhibit at the Flower and Garden Marquee at Mid Devon Show was a great success. Keeping with the theme of the show, Meadow and Grasslands, we put together a stunning exhibit, even if I say so myself!

The stars being a collection of meadow flowers grown by Peter Billing and a pretty garden border of traditional cottage garden flowers grown by Ann Crawford.

Rachel Hart, Mary Smith, Janet Billing, Jean & John Bennett all gathered plants in pots, cut greenery and mechanics to build up the scene. Pictures of sheep from Watermans, turf kindly supplied by Edenvale Turf together with plastic wood pidgeons made by Janet sat on Rachel's house gate.

The Marquee was rewarded by winning the Leisure section for the best marquee, so congratulations to Marquee organiser/co-ordinator, Mary Tucker and the other exhibitors.

Thank you to all who made this exhibit possible. You did the Club proud. Thank you also to all stewards on the day of show.