Our first meeting of 2023, held on 2nd February was very well attended when Martin Young gave an interesting talk on Hydrangeas.  He spoke about the different types of Hydrangea and the best soil for each type in order to keep the colours true, for example, blue flowers require acid soil. He also covered feeding and pruning.

Martin also brought some shrubs for members to purchase. A very pleasant evening.

Some of the snowdrops at Kingston Lacy, well worth a visit.

Our March meeting, on the 2nd, will be a talk by Steve Jeffries  a horticultural subject of his choice.

Also in March, our Spring Show  is on 18th. Full details and downloadable schedule can be found on the ‘Shows’ link on the home page. We look forward to receiving your entries.

The Committee wishes all members, old and new, a

VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

The Christmas supper and quiz was well attended and enjoyed by all. During the evening, the Flower of the Month award was presented to Kay Graham. The award is a beautifully painted plate, decorated by the late Mary Middlemass, who was a member for several years.

There is no meeting in January so we look forward to seeing you all at our next meeting on February 2nd when Shaun Vallard will talk to us about his trip to the Galapagos Islands.

It’s never too early to think about our Spring Show,  full details can be found on the ‘Shows’ link.

We have received this newsletter from the Gardens Group,

New Year & Christmas Leaflet

On 24th November Mark Read took a wreath making class at the Memorial Hall. Greatly enjoyed by all. Mark provided the basic essentials.

Autumn is here and gardens are being tidied for the winter ahead. Meanwhile, we can enjoy the lovely colours.

Our November meeting was well attended despite the bad weather. Our planned talk  (on orchids) was changed due to the unavailability of the speaker. However, we were treated to an excellent talk on pruning fruit by Malcolm from Castle Gardens. He covered every kind of fruit from apple trees to soft fruit.

Our next meeting is on December 1st when we will enjoy the Christmas meal and quiz. If you have not already booked your place, please phone 814887 or 813942. The cost is £7 for members and £7.50 for guests, payable on the night.

The Gold Club are unable to send a speaker on Orchids for Thursday 3rd so the talk will be on ‘Plants that changed the world’.  Sorry for any disappointment.

Our Harvest Supper was held on 6th October at St. Nicholas School. Forty two members enjoyed the usual ham and cheese ploughman’s supper followed by home-made apple cake with clotted cream.

There was also a tribute to our late President, Peter Read. His son. Mark, brought along a display of photographs showing Pete’s early days of exhibiting as a child through to winning at the national shows with his dahlias, roses and begonias. He is sadly missed.

Following the meal, we held a short A.G.M. Officers elected were;

President              Mrs. E. Morris

Chairman             Mr. S. Vallard

Vice Chair            Mrs. R. Gant

Secretary             Mr. N. Coad

Treasurer             Mrs. D. Caves

Show Secretary   Mrs. E. Morris

Committee members; Mrs. G. Wilkinson, Mr. & Mrs. C. Seal, Mrs. I. Turner.

Our next meeting is on November 3rd when the Gold Club will give a talk entitled ‘Orchids at Home’.

The Society entered the Dorset Federation Show on September 18th at Durweston Village Hall. A lovely hall in a quiet village just outside Blandford.

We had a successful day, coming home with three awards. The Best Cactus or Succulent Exhibit, Best Exhibit in the Domestic Classes (Collection of 3 Preserves) and the Banksian Medal for the Highest number of points gained.

Some other 1st Prize Exhibits

Dessert and Culinary Apples both won 1st prize.

Our Homecraft Collection of five items. Second Prize.

Our A.G.M. scheduled for 8th September was respectfully cancelled when the death of Queen Elizabeth was announced.

We will now hold a short Annual Meeting after the Harvest Supper on October 6th. The Treasurer will read her report and the election of Officers and Committee will take place.

Please contact us to book your supper (£7 on the night.) Subscriptions are also due now (£6). We will eat as soon as everyone has arrived.

Open to the public at 2pm, there will be the usual display of flowers, vegetables, floral art, photography, cookery and handicrafts including children’s entries. All this plus a tombola, teas and home-made cakes. A good afternoon out !

If you would like to enter, please click on the ‘shows’ link for details.

Our Autumn programme starts on September 8th with the A.G.M. at St. Nicholas and St. Laurence School.

Membership is due on the night when the full year’s programme will be available. There will also be a chance to book your place at the Harvest Supper  (October 6th).

Please remember to bring the Fuchsia and/or Geranium plants that we received from the Gold Club as plugs. These will be judged on the night.

Members’ Gardens Please send your pictures to shows@budhs.org.uk

A colourful border.