Open Garden

On June 2nd members went along to The Dairy House in Watery Lane at the kind invitation of Immy and Bob Turner.

A very pleasant evening was spent in glorious weather with good company and excellent food provided by Immy and Ros Gant.

Looking at the river                                                                  

The garden has been redesigned with patios, a greenhouse and easily managed borders.  There is a wonderful line of pleached Hornbeams which form a very attractive screen across the garden.

Enjoying the food

Plenty of chat

The borders have been planted with a variety of perennials which will look superb when in full bloom.

The patios provide seating and dining areas to make the most of the sun throughout the day.

Ros Gant thanked the hosts for opening their lovely garden.

Our next event is of course the Summer Show on Saturday August 20th. See the Shows link for details.

Our Autumn meetings begin on 8th September with a talk on      ‘Gardening Folklore’.

May meeting. We had a very informative talk on greenhouse growing and care by Mike Burks of the Gardens Group. He explained how to make full use of any size of greenhouse and the importance of pest and disease control. His inclusion of humour made for a very entertaining evening.

Plant Sale, Saturday 14th May. Please click on link for details.

Member’s Open Garden , June 2nd. Immy Turner has invited us to her garden at The Dairy House, Watery Lane. Arrive between 6pm and 6.30pm. A walk around the garden will be followed by drinks and nibbles.

The Dairy House Is easily found half-way along Watery Lane.

Summer Show August 20th. Schedules are now available from Eve Morris or click on  the ‘Shows’ link. Please try to enter something as visitors to the show really enjoy seeing what can be produced. Whether it’s growing, sewing, cooking, painting or flower arranging, the exhibits inspire people to have a go.

DFHS Photographic competition. This is an opportunity to win a free talk for the Society, either by Neil Lovesey or Derek Luther, both exceptional speakers. Details on the categories and how to enter can be found on the DFHS web-site, dfhs.btck.co.uk, entries close November 1st..

Our May meeting is on the 5th with a speaker from the Gold Club. The subject is ‘What to Grow in Your greenhouse’.

We are seeking volunteers for various jobs to help in the smooth running of the Society;

THE FOLLOWING VACANCIES NEED FILLING. CAN YOU HELP?

Able-bodied members to arrive early at meetings to put chairs and tables out.

Evening talks organiser needed. To book speakers for 2017-2018.

Friendly person or persons needed to organise the serving of teas and coffees at our evening meeting

Out-going member/members to book social events. For example our Christmas meal.

A Mary Berry look alike to beat and cream members into baking for the kitchen at events in the Memorial Hall.

If you feel you can help please ring Ros Gant 814887

The Plant Sale is on May 14th at the Memorial Hall at 2pm. Go to the Plant Sale link for more information

êThe A.G.M. and members’ Mini Show took place at 7.30 pm on Thursday 14th April at   St. Nicholas and St. Laurence School.

Entries in the members’ mini-show were low but added cheerful colour to the meeting.

No-one has come forward as Chairman at present but Ros Gant was elected as Vice-chairman in place of Colin Seal. We also have a new Treasurer. We are pleased to welcome Jean Fairbrother to this important post.  Gill Wilkinson and Colin Seal will remain as  committee members.

Visit to Poundbury Garden Centre 21st April

We will be visiting Poundbury Garden Centre on 21st April as part of our Gold Club membership.

This will comprise of a talk at 6.45 pm followed by shopping at a  25% discount. Please arrive in good time, coffee/tea is supplied on arrival.

Next day delivery is offered free of charge for orders too large for the car.

May Meeting

On 5th May a speaker from the Gold Club will advising us on What to Grow in Your Greenhouse.

Plant sale on 14th May

Please see details on the link on the home page.

Her are some of the prize winners receiving their awards from Richard Drax.

Lizzy and George Gant

Anna Banks

Alison White

The Spring Show was held on Saturday 19th March at Upwey Memorial Hall.

Entries were down to 167 probably due to the recent weather,however, the 29 exhibitors produced a wonderful display of colour and scent.

The flower arrangements were beautiful as always with the Judge commenting on the high standard.

The cookery, handicrafts and children’s classes were well supported and again the standard was high.

SPECIAL AWARDS

Junior Cup, Highest Points, Children’s Classes   Shared by   Lizzy and George Gant

Downer Cup. Best Photographic Print

Gina Marshall

Nottington Cup. Best Exhibit, Handicrafts     Alison White

Littlemead Cup. Highest Points, Preserves and Cookery, excluding Class 68             Chris Warner

Ridgeway Cup. Highest Points, Propagation                 Bill Howarth

Shield. Highest Points, Novice Section                           Anna Banks

Best Exhibit, Floral Art                                                 Ruth Howarth

Grandshaw Cup. Highest Points, Pot Plants                 Bill Howarth

Golds Candelabra. Best Exhibit, Pot Plants, excluding bulbs    ”

Golds Shield. Best Exhibit, Bulbs in Pots                                   ”

Ladies’ Spring Cup. Highest Points, Sections 1 to 6   Shared by                                          Pat Honess  and Anna Banks

Spring Show Cup. Runner up to Highest Points, Sections 1 to 6                                        Shaun Vallard

Benson Cup. Highest Points, Sections 1 to 6                Bill Howarth

Shield. Best Exhibit, Class 23                                                  ”

Silver Trophy. Best Exhibit, Other Cut Flowers, excluding Class 23                                    Bill Howarth

Two Diploma Awards for Daffodil Classes  RayHayward and Eric Pickard

Best Bloom in Daffodils                                Ray Hayward with ‘Banker’

Medal for Best Vase in Show                                          Ray Hayward                            

Broadwey and Upwey Daffodil Championship Salver   Ray Hayward

JUDGES

Daffodils, Mr D Phillips
Horticulture, Mr. D. Luther
Floral Art, Mrs S Bendall
Cookery, Handicrafts, and Children’s Classes, Natalie Green   Photography, Mr. J. Downer

This month started with a very well attended meeting on the 3rd when Becky Groves spoke to us about setting up her Little Groves Nursery in Beaminster.

She has an established background in the horticultural business having been brought up on the Groves Nurseries in Bridport.

Her illustrated talk began with information about the Nursery in general and then she went into more detail about the herbs.

Her knowledge and enthusiasm were inspirational and her Nursery is well worth a visit.

Spring Show                                                      

The major event this month is, of course, the Spring Show on Saturday 19th and preparations are well in hand.

Please try to enter something and get your entry forms in by 16th.  You can also enter by e-mail, see the Show page for details and the schedule.

A.G.M.

We are also looking ahead to the A.G.M. on April 14th.

If you have any items for the Agenda, please let the Secretary know on 816915 by 31st March.

Please also remember that we need more committee members and a new Chairman.(See previous News item)

Our next meeting is on March 3rd when Becki Groves will be telling us all about herbs.

Our February talk by the R.S.P.B. was both interesting and enjoyable. As well as hearing about garden birds and listening to wonderful birdsong, we were told about the valuable conservation work done for wildlife in general.

We are fortunate to have three nature reserves locally in Weymouth and at Arne near Wareham.

Members are reminded about the Spring Show on March 19th and the A.G.M. on 14th April when we hope for some new Committee members.

We hope you have all had a good Christmas and wish you a very happy New Year.Our meetings resume on February 4th with a talk by the R.S.P.B. on introducing birds to our gardens. This should be very interesting and informative.

Our Spring Show in March will soon be upon us and now is a good time to study the schedule to see which classes you could enter. If you haven’t already received your copy, these will be available at the February and March meetings, or contact the Show Secretary.

Looking ahead to the A.G.M. in April, our Chairman, Adrian Bates will not be seeking re-election due to a change in his personal circumstances.  We will therefore need nominations for this post so please give it some thought.

We are also in need of new committee members. It is always good to have new people with different ideas to keep the Society fresh and moving forward. If you feel that you would like to join the committee in any capacity, please feel free to discuss this with any of the present members who will be on hand at the February and March meetings.

Alternatively, you can e-mail join@budhs.org.uk  .

Twenty-five members attended the Christmas meal at the Hix Academy at Weymouth College on 3rd December.  This was a very enjoyable occasion with excellent food prepared and served by the students.  The venue was superb and can be highly recommended.

Following the meal, the raffle was drawn for the Teddy Bear, kindly donated by Eric and Pat Manton.  The lucky winner was Pat Honess.