February talk - Gardens of Little Bridge House

Terry Rocke from Childrens Hospice South West's respite home in north Devon, Little Bridge House came to talk and show photos of the garden. He talked with passion about its development and how it helps with the children and their families to come to stay and visit the centre.

The Club donated the proceeds of the draw and the refreshments to the charity and the gave a donation too which in total amounted to £240.

The Centre sent a very nice thank you letter.

Annual General Meeting

At the recent Annual General Meeting, Club officers reported that 2009 had been another successful year for the Club with all activities being well supported. Officers relected were: Chairman - Tim Nichols; Secretary - Ros Nichols; Treasurer - Carol Beer; Show Secretaries - Maggie Roberts for Spring and Monica Seatherton for Autumn. The committee were also re-elected: Sue Atkins; Maureen Coldham; John Bennett; Margaret Grose and Jim Grose.

The first meeting of the new year is on 23rd February, when Terry Rocke will give a fully illustrated talk on the Gardens of Little Bridge House in aid of Childrens Hospice South West.

Anyone wishing to join can come along and pick up a programme and membership card for the annual subscription of £3. Show Schedules for the Spring Flower Show on Saturday 10th April will also be available at the meeting.

Sorry for the lack of posts

Message from the Secretary:

Sorry for the lack of posts at the end of last year. I will endeavour to bring everything up to date after the AGM which is tomorrow night at 7.30pm at The Memorial Hall.

All welcome - subscription £3 - programme for 2010 available.

Christmas Social Evening & Prizewinners

Our President, Lady Amory, presented the following trophies at our well attended annual prize-giving and social evening.

The winners were:
The COCHRANE Memorial Trophy for the Highest aggregate Decorative Section - Mrs Christine Moore
The BRITTON Perpetual Challenge Cup for the Second Highest Decorative Section - Mrs Ros Nichols
The CHAIRMAN’s Cup, kindly donated by Tim Nichols, for Children aged 6 years old and under - Jessica Ridgeway
The KINA HARWARD Perpetual Challenge Cup for Children aged 7 years old and over - Paige Nichols
The SMALLS Perpetual Challenge Cup for Miscellaneous Cut Flowers - Mrs Margaret Grose
The MORRIS Memorial Trophy for Highest aggregate Cut Flower Section - Mr Alby Berry
The MARY MARKER Perpetual Challenge Cup for Shrubs, Trees & Climber Section - Mrs Ann Crawford
The ERIC SHAPLAND Perpetual Challenge Cup for Pot Plant Section - Mrs Sue Gollop
The JACK BRAY Trophy for Garden Photography - Mrs Margaret Grose
The JUBILEE TROPHY for the Collection Class - Mr Tim Nichols
The Crystal Rose Bowl for the best exhibit of Roses - Mrs Margaret Grose
The Sue Gollop Spring Trophy - Mrs Rachael Hart
The Betty Keeble Autumn Trophy - Mr Peter Billing
The FRANCES BOWDEN Memorial Trophy for the Second Highest aggregate - all sections - Mrs Margaret Grose
The AMORY Perpetual Challenge Cup for the Highest aggregate - all sections – the winner by one point - Mr Alby Berry
Finally The new COLIN UPHAM Memorial Special Photography Class - Mrs J Webb

Christmas Coffee Morning

The Christmas Coffee Morning and Bring & Buy Sale was hailed a success by the Committee.
A constant stream of visitors enjoyed refreshments, social chat and a lively raffle.
The helpers were presented with plants in appreciation of their support.

Photos to follow........

November Talk

Maggie Tim

Christmas arrived early at the November evening talk at Tiverton Garden Club when Chairman, Tim Nichols and committee member Maggie Roberts demonstrated some Christmas flower arranging.

A huge audience enjoyed watching Maggie's first modern arrangement using a goldfish bowl, some water crystal gel and some battery operated lights with some orange flowers followed by Tim's basket arrangement using traditional red colours and some baubles.

For Maggie's second arrangement she used a metal stand and some white lillies and roses and blue sea holly with a white candle and Tim did a table arrangement on a gold charger with a gold candle and yellow flowers.

For Maggie's third arrangement, she used a metal frame with a square mesh and brighly coloured flowers to create a collage using wool as well as foliage and flowers. Tim's third arrangement used a metal frame in the same of a tree with four candles. He decorated a interlocking wreath ring with white carnations, roses and chrysanthemums.

The arrangement were then raffled which 6 luck members of the audience won.

Garden Visit to Lukesland Gardens

For the October garden visit, members visited The House of Marbles for a refreshments on the way to the south Devon garden of Lukesland near Ivybridge.

Lukesland lies on the edge of Dartmoor in a small valley with a brook cascading from its source through ponds and over waterfalls into the River Erme. The mainly woodland garden has flowering shrubs, trees and lots of wildlife.

Members enjoyed a sunny autumnal day and home made cakes in the tea room.