2013 ended on a high with our Christmas Party, which this year had a Hollywood theme.
Over 40 members dusted off their dinner jackets and polished their diamonds to enjoy an evening at the movies. Members enjoyed watching Dames Judy Dench and Maggie Smith in “The Most Exotic Marigold Hotel”. A glass of wine and a superb supper, provided by Faith Henshilwood, helped the evening go with a swing.

We have no meeting in January. Our first get together of 2014 will be on February 6th at St Nicholas School, Broadwey. Mark Read will be on hand to answer any questions on growing vegetables either for the show bench or the garden.

The first meeting of the new season got off to a great start. Mike Burks, from The Gold Club, gave an excellent talk on propagation. Over 30 members sat intently listening to his words of wisdom. Members could be seen taking notes and they were plenty of questions to be answered by our knowledgeable and affable speaker.

Plants, given by the Gold Club in March to grow on, were judged by Mike. Eve Morris and Ros Gant took the prizes.

Members enjoyed a “ Welcome Back Supper” of bread, cheese and sausages and are all were looking forward to the October 3rd talk by Neil Lovesey on The Bee Friendly Garden.

Our Harvest Supper this year is on 16th October, 7.00pm at The Ship Inn, Upwey. Menus will be available at the October meeting. See you all then

2012 ended with a mixture of good  news and bad news for the society.

More than 35 members enjoyed the Christmas Party, held at St Nicholas School, Broadwey. Mark Read created several Christmas floral decorations, which were raffled later and told some very amusing stories.

Faith Henshilwood provided a magnificent buffet, the likes of which Mark Read had never seen. People enjoyed a glass of wine and a break from shopping and wrapping presents.

On a very sad note I had to announce the death of Brian Marsh. Brian was a great supporter of this club right up to his death. His knowledge, patience, encouragement and sensitivity will be sadly missed and our thoughts are with Sheila and her family.

Another of the society’s long standing supporters also died in December, Bill Cann. He was well into his 90’s when he died, proving that gardening must be good for you.

We are looking forward now to 2013 and hoping for better weather, if the garden isn’t frozen it’s water logged. We are never satisfied. Our February meeting will consist of a  panel of experts, Trevor  Ings, Peter and Mark Read ,who will try to answer all your  gardening questions,and  Stella Knight who will answer any cooking or preserve queries. It should be a highly informative and amusing evening. Have some good questions ready !!

Eve Morris and the committee are preparing for the Spring Show in March and they are hoping for lots of entries. If you have nothing to show, why not bake a cake for us to sell or provide a tombola prize. All proceeds go into society funds.

Our meetings this season have got off to a cracking start. James Foster-Pegg, from the Gold Club, gave 35 members a talk on soft fruit growing at our September meeting and as usual it was very informative and entertaining. Could the October meeting be as good? We needn’t have worried.
 
Terry Heard, from Blandford, gave a talk on woodland crafts. He arrived at 7.00pm with a truck full of sticks, twigs, branches and some very strange looking equipment. Our members started to take their seats, Perhaps wondering what they had let themselves in for. Terry soon put them at their ease.
 
 
He described how a coppice is managed, using a model he had made. The slow and fascinating process of making charcoal and finally what can be made from coppicing. The whole tree is used. Trunks are turned into props for fruit trees. Branches become hurdles, thatchers, tent and clothes pegs, children’s toys and bean poles and besom brooms are made from the twigs.
 
 
 
 
 Terry made a broom using the very primitive looking, but very efficient piece of equipment you see in the photograph. We raffled this broom off.

He talked for well over an hour, answering many questions from his enthralled audience. Everyone left with a smile on their face, having enjoyed a horticultural talk with a difference.

The results of the Summer Show 18th August 2012 have now been published on our Summer Show 2012 page. Thanks to all who entered and those who came along on the day.

A visit has been arranged for Wednesday  15^th   August 2012 , starting at 6.00pm, to the world famous Chilli Farm at West Bexington, Bridport.

The farm is easy to find. Stay on the main coastal road to Bridport until you see the Bull Pub at Swyre and then turn left. Follow the road a little way down  and the Chilli Farm is on the left hand side, just before Tamarisk Farm. Hope to see lots of you there.

Don’t forget our Summer Show on the 18^th August at Broadwey Memorial Hall. Cakes and tombola prizes gratefully received.

The day of the walk around Tamarisk Farm had arrived. The weather up to 4.30pm had been fine, then it started to rain. Gently at first.
People were asking
” Is the walk still on?”
Yes was my answer. I didn’t think a farmer would worry about a few spots of rain. An intrepped band of horticulturists began the walk, which turned out to be a very enjoyable and informative evening.

Adam Simon, the farmer, led the walk and his knowledge and enthusiasum quickly made
us forget the rain. Simon’s approach to farming made you stop and think. It may not be practical for the demands of the consumer today, but we still need farmers to create and maintain for future generations an alternative to intensive farming.

Simon Adam showed, through conservation, how you can farm side by side with nature instead of fighting it.

The wild flowers, including several species of orchids,in his meadows brought back memories from childhood, when you were allowed to pick and bring home prized specimens to press and put into books.

The two hour walk ended with a very much appreciated cup of tea in the farm kitchen. Logs burning in the grate, dogs asleep in front of the fire and horticulturists drying out. A perfect summer evening in England!

The AGM took place in April and the entire committee were re-elected. Membership fees remain the same at £6 per person per year. Mark Read judged the member’s mini show and gave advice on how to grow peppers, begonias and pelargoniums.

The Society held their annual plant sale in May and it was a great success. Everybody brought big bags and they went home full. The refreshment stall was really busy with people chatting and admiring their purchases. Advice was freely given and experiences shared. We made over £250 in just over an hour, so a big , big thank you to everybody who donated plants and helped on the stalls.

On 14th June 2012, Ellen Simon from Tamarisk Farm, is showing members around her organic farm at West Bexington, DT2 9DF. The walk begins at 6.00pm. If you think the walk may be too hard come anyway and sit in her lovely garden and listen to the silence.

One of our members is also trying to organise a visit to The Pepper Man , who also lives at West Bexington. No details yet, but watch this space.

Don’t forget the next plant sale is this Saturday 5th May 2pm at the Memorial Hall, Victoria Avenue, Upwey.

Broadwey & Upwey Horticultural Society March meeting newsletter

More seeds needed for Plant Sale
Could you sew a few more seeds this year with a view to bringing them in for the society to sell at our plant sale on May 5th 2012.

April brings a very exciting event to the society’s calendar – The AGM combined with the mini show, for members only on Thursday 19th April 2012.

The business of an AGM will be to appoint; a President, Vice-President, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary and a committee of fourteen with the power to add to their numbers. Nominations for any of the above positions must be lodged with the society’s secretary, Mrs Sheila Seal, before 12 March 2012, together with any other items for the agenda.

We are very fortunate that the officers of your society are willing to stand for another year. We would though like to see new faces on the committee because they bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm. We meet once a month on the second Tuesday at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall.

An evening trip to Poundbury Garden Centre has been arranged for Thursday 26^th April 2012 (6.45-7.00pm start) Members to find their own way there, or perhaps car share?