Our A.G.M. took place on 18th April. This was followed by a fascinating talk by our Chairman, Shaun Vallard, who spoke about his trip to the Galapagos Islands.

He showed us some amazing slides of the animals and birds. Giant tortoises, iguanas and birds all living peacefully on the islands.

Shaun also took underwater photographs while swimming among the turtles, sea lions and even sharks!  It was an extremely interesting and informative talk enjoyed by us all.

We will be visiting Poundbury Garden Centre on Thursday, 25th for a talk followed by discounted shopping Please arrive by 6pm.

Our next meeting is on 2nd May when Alan Eason will talk about  ‘Water in the Garden’

The Plant Sale takes place on 11th May at the Memorial Hall, Victoria Avenue at 2pm. If you would like a stall or have plants to donate to the society stall please contact us via the Contacts link.

Our April meeting will be on the 18th as the school is closed for Easter holidays.

We will begin with a short A.G.M. when we hope to welcome a few new committee members. New ideas are always needed.

The A.G.M. will be followed by a talk from our Chairman, Shaun Vallard, entitled ‘My Trip to the Galapagos Islands’. 

Visitors are always welcome at our meetings, at a small charge of £2. Members free of course.

25th April ; Members’ visit to Poundbury Garden Centre for a talk followed by discounted shopping. Please arrive in time for a 6pm start. 

From our members’ gardens;

Magnolia, Yellow River

Tulips straight and tall

Our Spring Show was held on Saturday 16th March at the Memorial Hall. There were 209 exhibits filling the hall with Spring colour, always a cheerful sight. There were plenty of daffodils this year with 88 exhibits in this section.

 Trophy Winners

 Junior Cup   Highest points, Children’s Classes, Evie-May Warne  Downer Cup  Best Photographic Print, Adrian Rea   Nottington Cup Best Exhibit, Handicrafts, David Greenhalf   Prospect Cup  Highest Points, Preserves and Cookery, Neil Coad               Ridgeway Cup  Highest Points, Propagation, Bill Howarth   Society Rose Bowl  Best Exhibit, Floral Art, Sara Warren  Grandshaw Cup  Highest Points, Pot Plants, Bill Howarth  Silver Salver  Best Exhibit, Pot Plants (excl. bulbs,)  Ros Gant                    Golds Shield   Best Exhibit, Bulbs in Pots, Bill Howarth  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, John Morris  Silver Trophy   Best Exhibit , Other Cut Flowers, Evelyn Morris  Diploma   Best Vase, Daffodils      Pink Silk    Bill Howarth  Diploma    Awarded at Judge’s discretion  Angel’s Breath    Ray Hayward    Best Bloom in Daffodils    Countdown   Eric Salt  Medal for Best Daffodil Exhibit,  Bill Howarth   Championship Salver          Bill Howarth 

Images from our show

Preparations

Early exhibitor, Friday evening

Saturday morning decisions

The preserves and cookery classes were well supported including 8 ginger cakes and 5 coffee and walnut.

Thanks to all who helped in any way and to all the exhibitors without whom there would be no show.

A good number of members and visitors attended the February meeting when local historian, Sue Virgin, spoke about Upwey as it used to be. Upwey was an almost self-sufficient village with all the shops needed for everyday life. We were shown photographs of ‘then and now’ buildings with most commercial premises now converted to housing.

Our next meeting will be on March 7th when Bryan Madders will speak about ‘Dahlias for Pleasure’.

Our Spring Show takes place on March 16th in the Memorial Hall, Victoria Avenue, Upwey. There are classes in horticulture, cookery, flower arranging, handicrafts and photography. There is also a children’s section. All classes open to all. Full details can be found via the ‘shows’ link.

Daffodils in last year’s show

A new year and time to think of what to grow in the coming seasons. Remember to sow a few more seeds or take a few extra cuttings to grow on for our plant sale in May.

Our first meeting of the year takes place on February 1st at St. Nicholas and St. Laurence school at 7.30pm. This will be an illustrated talk by local historian, Sue Virgin, entitled “Upwey – A Walk Down Memory Lane”.

This promises to be very interesting, showing Upwey past and present. There have been many changes over the years with new housing and the loss of several shops and businesses.

Open to all, visitors pay £2 while members are free as usual.

We hope you have planted your bulbs in readiness for our Spring Show on March 16th.