Author Archives: BUDHS

October Report

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Our October meeting on 2nd took the form of a ‘Gardener’s Question Time’. During the announcements , our secretary Neal, informed the meeting that Ros Gant was unwell and in hospital. We all hope she gets well soon. Shaun Vallard, Sarah Studley and Mark Read answered a variety of questions and also identified samples brought by the members.

The panel

Some of the members

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Identifying samples

Shaun then showed us his shaving brush plant and begonia and explained how he looked after them. A very successful and interesting evening.

The shaving brush plant pictured at the Federation Show, 1st prize.

On 21st September The Society entered the Dorset Federation Inter-Society Show at Tarrant Keynestone. We achieved fifteen first prizes, twelve seconds and five thirds. We also won the Harry Dawes Cup for the best pot plant exhibit and the shield for best cactus exhibit, we have won these awards for a few years now. The Society also won the Banksian Medal for highest points in horticulture.

Preparations

Judging in progress

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Pot Plant Collection
Harry Dawes Cup

September Meeting Report

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Our Autumn programme of talks began on 4th September when Mike Burks from the Gardens Group presented ‘The Lighter Side of Plants’. Thirty Members were treated to an interesting and amusing evening. Mike always gives an excellent talk and this was no exception.

Following the talk, Mike judged the geranium and fuchsia plants donated to us by the Gold Club in the Spring. This was won by Shaun Vallard, our Chairman.

We will be entering the Federation Inter-Society Show on September 21st at Tarrant Keyneston Village Hall, open to view at 12.45pm.

Our next meeting will be on October 2nd when we will have an in-house Gardeners’ Question Time. Please write your question on a piece of paper and these will be drawn on the night. We will try to get through as many as possible.

August News and Show Results

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Our programme of talks this Autumn begins on 4th September when a speaker from the Gold Club presents ‘The Lighter Side of Plants.’ We look forward to welcoming you all back at St. Nicholas and St . Laurence School at 7.30pm. New faces will be very welcome too.

Our Summer Show was held on 16th August. The hall looked lovely as usual with all the colourful flowers and plants. We were short on Handicrafts and Flower Arranging entries which was a shame. Perhaps we will have more in the Spring after people have been busy with hobbies during the winter.

Results 

National Vegetable Society Medal, Best Vegetable Exhibit – John Morris

National Vegetable Society Runner-up to Best Vegetable Award – Mark Read

Silver Challenge Cup, Best Vegetable Collection – John Morris

Charles Read Memorial Cup, Highest Points, Vegetable Classes – Bill Howarth

The Tomato Trophy, Best Exhibit, Tomato Classes – Neal Hatch

Upwey and Broadwey Produce Challenge Cup  – John Morris

Springfield Cup, Best Exhibit, Fruit Classes – Bill Howarth

National Dahlia Society Silver Medal, Best Dahlia Exhibit – Neal Hatch

Peter Read Memorial Trophy,  – Dahlia Championship Neal Hatch 

The Beaton Challenge Cup, Highest Points Flower Classes – Neal Hatch

Bincombe Cup, Best Exhibit, Cut Flower Classes – Graham Edwards

Gladioli Award Best exhibit, Gladioli Classes – Bill Howarth

Coronation Silver Challenge Cup, Best Exhibit, Pot Plants –Shaun Vallard

Begonia Award Best exhibit Begonia Classes – Shaun Vallard

Upwey and Broadwey Memorial Amateur Produce Challenge Cup Highest points, Novice Classes – Hazel Brooks

Sackville Hamilton Challenge Cup Best Exhibit Floral Decoration- Fiona Penny

The Howard Cup Highest Points, Preserves and Cookery – Chris Warner

The Richard’s Trophy Best Exhibit, Preserves and Cookery –   Sue Brant

Westbrook Cup Best Exhibit Handicrafts – Sheila Snuggs

Redlands Cup Highest Points, Photography in Spring and Summer Shows – Shaun Vallard

Cup for the Highest Points in Group 1, Children’s Classes –  Henry Warner

The Virgin Challenge Cup Highest Points in Group 2, Children’s Classes –  Evie-May Warner

The Banksian Medal of the Royal Horticultural Society – Bill Howarth

The efco Trophy Highest Points gained in Show – Bill Howarth

OUR SHOW IN PICTURES

Dahlia Championship. Winning entry by Neal Hatch

 

Three Pot Plants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July News

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June garden visit. A dozen or so members visited Sarah Studley’s garden on the 12th June. We thank Sarah for an enjoyable afternoon.

Our next event will be the Summer Show on 16th August. Please try to enter as there are a variety of classes to suit all ages. See the ‘Shows’ link to download the schedule. Schedules will also be available from Read’s Florist on Dorchester Road.

Three Pot Plants – Shaun Vallard

Our programme of talks begins on September 4th at 7.30pm when the speaker will be from the Gold Club. Please remember to bring your geranium and fuchsia plants for judging.

You may also be interested in the following events organised by Beaminster Horticultural Society. Click below for details.

July meeting        Coach Trip Bristol Botanic Garden

June Events

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IMPORTANT CHANGE OF DATE DUE TO POSSIBLE BAD WEATHER 

Our next event is on June 12th INSTEAD OF THE 5TH when members are invited to Sarah Studley’s garden at Higher Manor Farm, Littlemead, DT3 5DL from 3pm. Thanks to Sarah for the invitation.

Our Plant Sale on 10th May was a great success raising valuable funds for the Society. Many thanks to all who contributed in any way.

 

Other events in the County that you may be interested in;

Winfrith Garden Club are holding their Open Gardens weekend on 21st and 22nd June. Entrance is £5  and there will be tea and cakes on Saturday and cream teas on Sunday. Sounds inviting!

May Report

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On May 1st our members enjoyed an excellent talk by Steve Jeffries on pruning. Steve is very knowledgeable and covered all aspects of pruning ,including ‘what’ ‘when’ and ‘how’. He also demonstrated on some of the plants that he brought along. He answered numerous questions from the audience. A very enjoyable and informative evening.

Our Plant Sale takes place on Saturday 10th May at Upwey Memorial Hall from 2pm. Tables can be booked by ringing 01305 813942 or emailing shows@budhs.org.uk non members included.

On Thursday 5th June members have kindly been invited to Sarah Studley’s garden at North Manor Farm, Littlemead from 3pm. Many thanks to Sarah.

There are no meetings in July and August but don’t forget the Summer Show on August 16th, full details on the ‘Shows’ link.

We return on September 4th with a talk by the Gardens Group Gold Club. Please remember to bring the fuchsia and geranium plants for the speaker to judge. There is a prize!

A beautiful yellow Azalea

 

Future Events

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The April meeting was very interesting when two members of Weymouth Parks Department spoke to us about how the green spaces of Weymouth were looked after. Several members asked questions which were answered in detail.

Our next event is a visit to Poundbury Garden Centre on April 24th. Members should arrive by 6pm and meet in the Engine Room where we will be given a short talk before shopping with a good discount. Purchases can be delivered free the next day if required.

Our next meeting is on May 1st. at St Nicholas and St. Laurence School at 7.30pm. We have had to change the speaker so now Steve Jeffries will be talking about pruning, He is a very experienced horticulturalist who gives very good talks,

The Annual Plant Sale takes place on 10th May at the Upwey Memorial Hall, Victoria Avenue at 2pm. Stalls are free but 20% of takings go to the Society. Plants can also be donated to the Society stall. Refreshments will be available.

Members’ Gardens. Please send your photos to shows@budhs.org.uk

Magnolia in full bloom

Spring Show and April Meeting

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Our next meeting will take place at 7.30pm on April 3rd at St. Nicholas and St Laurence School. There will be a short A.G.M. followed by a talk by Weymouth and Portland Parks Department.

Several members of our Committee would like to stand down due to getting older or other commitments Please consider if you would be able to fill their places. We need an active Committee to keep the Society going.

Our Spring Show took place on 15th March. This always provides a lovely display.

Trophy Winners

Junior Cup   Highest Points, Children      Evie-May Warner    Downer Cup                     Best Photographic Print   Gemma Barrett      Nottington Cup  Best Exhibit, Handicrafts    Hayley Caves      Prospect Cup   Highest Points, Preserves & Cookery  Shaun Vallard     Ridgeway Cup   Highest Points, Propagation     John Morris        Novice Shield  Highest Points, Novice Classes    Gina Marshall      Society Rose Bowl  Best Exhibit, Floral Art     Karen Boyce      Grandshaw Cup  Highest Points, Pot Plants     Bill Howarth       Silver Salver  Best Exhibit, Pot Plants (excl. bulbs)            Adrian Read      Golds Shield   Best Exhibit, Bulbs in Pots     Bill Howarth                    Sheila’s Primula Trophy  Best Exhibit, Primula Classes     Shaun Vallard            Spring Show Cup  Runner -up to Highest Points 1-6          Neal Hatch       Benson Cup   Highest Points 1-6      Bill Howarth     Silver Cup  Best Exhibit, Class 23                 Neal Hatch      Silver  Trophy   Best Exhibit , Other Cut Flowers     Neal Hatch     Diploma      Best Vase, Daffodils      Bill Howarth       Diploma       Awarded at Judge’s discretion      Ray Hayward     Best Bloom in Daffodils       Haemoor                             Mark Read        Bronze Medal for Best Daffodil Exhibit        Ray Hayward              Championship Salver     Bill Howarth

 

February News

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Our first talk of the year took place on 6th February. David Ennals gave us a fascinating talk on Bonsai. He gave detailed guidance on how to achieve these tiny trees and brought along a lovely selection from his own collection. The procedure seemed quite straightforward but plenty of patience is needed! The members and guests present were plainly captivated and asked several questions at the end.

Our next meeting will be on March 6th, 7.30pm  at the school when Charles Cheshire will give a talk entitled ‘Clematis and Roses, The Perfect Combination’.

March also sees our Spring Show on 15th at the Memorial Hall, Victoria Avenue. The schedule can be downloaded from the ‘Shows’ link. Copies are also available from P & M Read’s florists on Dorchester Road, Broadwey, or by ringing the show secretary on 01305 813942 or email shows@budhs.org.uk

 

Happy New Year 2025

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Happy New Year to all our members.

There is no meeting in January so it is a good time to plan your gardening year. When sowing seeds, please remember to sow extra for our Plant Sale on May 10th. Likewise when taking cuttings. Surplus plants can either be donated to the society’s stall or you can have a stall of your own, we just ask for 20% of takings for the society. Stalls can be taken by members or non-members. We always have plenty of customers.

We have received the discount vouchers from the Gold Club. These can be used during January and February at Poundbury Garden Centre. They will be available at the February meeting. If you would like them before that, please call at Stayer Cottage, Nottington or ring 814887.

Our first meeting of  the year is on February 6th , Bonsai for Beginners with David Ennals, a very good speaker.

Spring Show schedules are available to download from the ‘Shows’ link. Have a good look and see what you could enter.

Poundbury Garden Centre are holding free talks on Wednesdays.

January 22nd Wall Shrubs and Climbing Plants. January 29th Right Plant Right Place. February 5th Healthy Gardening. For more information visit www.thegardensgroup.co.uk