OGC News April 2009
(Click here for printable word document)

Thanks To

• John Smith and Alan Shepherd for setting up the hall this evening and also to Kath Stevenson, Kate Smith and Jenny Shepherd for preparing the refreshments.

Don’t Forget

• Tonight’s speaker is Donald Everitt and his subject is ‘Rock Gardening’.

New Members

The Club welcomes Cathy Fewlas and Jane Lacey from Leominster.  Also Lynn Delaney from Byton.

Important Information

Village Fete
Please note that the Village Hall Committee have changed the date of the Village Fete.  It is now Sunday 7^th June.

Please let us know if you are able to help with the Gardening Club Stall on this date, whether for a couple of hours or all day.

Midsummer Show

Please note the Midsummer show is on Tuesday 23^rd June as per the published details on your membership cards.  Not the last Tuesday of the month (Sincere apologies from the committee).  Next year the Show is planned for May – we hope there will be more flowers available in our gardens.

Show schedules will are available this evening.  They are of course available on the web.  Please let a member of the committee know if you are interested in stewarding at this and/or the August Show.

Outing

Application forms for the outing to Aberglasney on June 10^th are available this evening from Shelley Choat.  The cost is £20.00.  This covers the coach, entrance fee, tea/coffee on arrival and a guided tour by Graham Rankin.  The coach will be leaving Orleton Village Hall at 8:30am and Bridge Street Car Park, Leominster at 8.45am. 

The form should be handed to Shelley with a cheque, together with a second form showing your menu choices for lunch (unless you are taking a picnic).  Lunches to be paid for on the day.

Chris Beardshaw

Tickets are on sale this evening.  Please see Jennifer Kelley. These tickets are only available to card-holding, paid up members at present and you will only be able to purchase one.  The price is £7.00.  Tickets sold to members are non-transferable. Details for guest tickets will be given at a future date.  Please do not ask to be put on a waiting list for guest tickets - this is not an option.

July Supper Evening

Further to last month’s information, we are sorry to announce that the photography and limerick judge is now unable to attend the Supper Evening.  The three judges who will be present are: 
1) Flower Arranging 2) Preserves and 3) Vegetables.

As usual, the Village Hall will open at 6.30pm for you to bring your food to share.  We are asking each of the 3 Judges to spend 10 – 15 minutes talking about their subject.  This will take place in the Small Hall from 7.00pm – 8.00pm.  There may not be much time for individual questions, but the judges will be on hand throughout the remainder of the evening, so you should have plenty of opportunity to speak to them individually.

Compost

Monica Todd has compost available to purchase at very good rates.  We are able to sell you Levington’s compost in 70 litre bags for £4.25 per bag.  The retail price (Hintons) is £6.00 per bag or 2 bags for £10.  You must be able to collect the compost from Monica. (Address and phone number on membership card)

Things to Do, Places To Visit

• The British Red Cross Great Spring Gardening Event, Wednesday 29^th April at Hampton Court Castle.

• The RHS Malvern Spring Show is 7-10 May.

• Brimfield GC is having a plant sale on 2nd May, 10am to 12noon at their Village Hall.  Plants at credit crunch prices together with cakes and produce.

• The Nest, Moreton Eye, 3rd and 4^th May, 2-5 pm.  Also open on May 24^th and 25^th together with two other small gardens, at 2 & 3 Upper Court, Luston (£5.00 all 3 gdns)

• Glan Arrow, Eardisland 31^st May, 2-6pm.

• 17 May, Hardwick House, Leominster 11 – 6pm

Seasonal Tips

• Sow cauliflowers, sprouting broccoli and leeks outside in seed beds. Complete sowing sweet corn, cucumbers courgettes and squash in pots to plant out later.

• Stake your peas and prepare supports for runner beans.

• Deadhead & divide crowded clumps of bulbs.

• Now is the time to propagate hydrangeas and other shrubs from softwood stem-tip cuttings.

• Plant out cannas and dahlias after the danger of frost has passed

Next Meeting

May 26th, the speaker is John Trinder – “The Iris Year”