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

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 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

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.