February News

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

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

 

December News

HAPPY CHRISTMAS to all our members, past present and future.

Our year ended with a Christmas supper and quiz on December 5th.

Thirty-seven members and guests attended and enjoyed the evening. Our Chairman, Shaun Vallard was quizmaster, asking twenty questions.

Six teams took part.

 

The team on the left were the winners.

The Mary Middlemass Plate is awarded annually to the winner of the Flower/Plant of The Month competition. This year it was presented to Eve Morris. We would like more members to take part, just bring along a flower or plant, or both, to each meeting. These will be judged by the speaker and points awarded accordingly.

There is no meeting in January but we look forward to seeing you on February 6th when David Ennals will give us a talk entitled ‘Bonsai for Beginners’.

Spring Show Schedules are available from the Show Secretary or by downloading from the ‘Shows’ link.

Autumn Report

Christmas Meal and Quiz, 5th December. Please ring 01305 814887, email join@budhs.org.uk or 01305 813942 email shows @budhs.org.uk by 25th November if you wish to attend and have not already put your name down. £8 payable on the night.

On November 7th Fiona Penny demonstrated seasonal floral arrangements. This was an excellent meeting with Fiona giving plenty of tips on creating displays and information about alternatives to floral foam (oasis). She made 6 different designs, using different methods, including oasis, biodegradable foam, chicken wire and a pin holder. We also learnt how to make a wreath frame.

October Report

Our talk on 3rd October was very interesting and informative. Mark Read spoke to us about pot plants, demonstrating how to cut back pelargoniums and fuchsias correctly. He then showed us how to take cuttings. Mark’s talks are always enjoyable with lots of tips and anecdotes from his past experiences.

 

On November 7th, Fiona Penny will be giving us ideas on Seasonal Floral Decoration. This promises to be useful and enjoyable.

We will be taking names at this meeting for the Christmas meal, please sign up on the list provided or contact us to book your place. The cost will be £8 as last year.

Autumn is upon us and time to think about planting bulbs for Spring.

Immy has sent us this photo of her good crop of Sunset apples.

 

More Show Successes

Next Meeting; October 3rd, Pot Plants, an informative talk by Mark Read.

Our Secretary Neil, had great success at the Dorset County Show. He won the Trophy for highest points in the Homecraft cookery.

We entered the Dorset Federation Inter-Society Show at Tarrant Keynestone on Sunday 15th September. We won three trophies this year, the Harry Dawes Trophy for best pot plant, the Joy Collins Shield for best Cactus/Succulent exhibit and the cup for Highest Points in the Homecraft Section. In all, we achieved 16 firsts, 9 seconds, and 8 thirds. Well worth the very early morning start.

Neil’s Orchid, best Pot Plant

Best Cactus/Succulent Exhibit

Homecraft Collective – 5 items

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other first prize winning exhibits;

You may be interested in visiting the following event.

Dahlia Festival Poster ARK v2

September Meeting and News

Our September meeting was held on Thursday 5th. Steve, from The Gold Club gave us a fascinating talk on ‘Slightly Naughty Plants’. The talk covered carnivorous, invasive and plants with slightly naughty names and features. Very amusing!

Our Chairman, Shaun exhibited at the Melplash Show in August and was very pleased with the outcome as you will see from the following pictures.

 

Summer Show and Autumn Programme

Our Summer Show was held on Saturday 17th August. The Memorial Hall looked splendid when all the entries were in place.

We had plenty of visitors in the afternoon who enjoyed inspecting the 280 exhibits  before tucking in to home-made cakes and cups of tea.

A full report and more photos can be found on the ‘Shows’ link.

Our Autumn programme of Talks begins on September 5th at St.Nicholas and St. Laurence School at 7.30pm. A speaker from the Gold Club will present a talk entitled ‘Slightly Naughty Plants’.

Membership fees £8) will be due at this meeting and don’t forget to bring your fuchsias and geraniums provided by the Gold Club in the Spring. They will be judged by the speaker. Please bring them whatever they look like as the Gold Club like to see how their plants have fared.

New members are always welcome.

On October 3rd Mark Read will give us a talk on Pot Plants.

 

 

 

August 2024 News

Our Summer Show takes place on 17th August , full details can be found on the ‘Shows’ link. We are hoping for another successful event so please try to enter , there are lots of options.

Following Stella Knight’s funeral, we have received a lovely letter from her eldest daughter, Caroline. She thanks all members who attended the service and who sent cards and messages. Stella will be missed.

We start our programme of talks on September 5th with a talk entitled ‘Slightly Naughty Plants’ given by The Gold Club. This sounds very interesting. We look forward to seeing members new and current. 7.30pm at St.Nicholas and St. Laurence School.

Members’ Gardens.

Clematis are at their best now.

   

July News

First of all we are sad to say that one of our long-time members and Vice Presidents, Stella Knight, has passed away. Stella has been involved with the Society probably since childhood as her parents were also members. Stella was also a cookery and preserves judge and devised the recipes for our shows until a few years ago. Our secretary, Neil, remembers how kind and helpful she was when he first started exhibiting his preserves. He enjoyed talking to her and says she was a lovely lady.

Her funeral will take place on Wednesday 17th July at 3.15pm at the Weymouth Crematorium.

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We are currently making preparations for our Summer Show on August 17th. The schedule can be downloaded from the ‘Shows’ link on the home page.

We have been sent the following from Weymouth Bay Methodist Church;

Hi
I represent Weymouth Bay Methodist Church.  We have a small group of members who look after our garden and grounds with a monthly Saturday morning session, as part of our Eco Church actions.
I appreciate that most of your members will be very busy with their own gardens, but if anyone is at a loose end we would very much appreciate their help.  Free coffee and cake is always on offer.  Our next session is planned for Saturday 27 July, 9.00am until 12 noon, although we usually meet on the last Saturday of each month.
If you need any more information let me know.
Best wishes
Jacqui Trent
Circuit Administrator
Dorset South and West Circuit
tel 07709 601 567
Members’ Gardens
Ros’s pretty containers
Immy’s  lovely cut flowers

If you would like your garden featured, please send your photos to shows@budhs.org.uk