OGC News February 2009
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Thanks To
Sheila Ellison and Paul & Jean Smith for setting up the hall this evening and also to Sue Johnson, Prue Kemsley and Ann Cobb for preparing the refreshments.
Don’t Forget
Tonight’s speaker is Christine Buxton and her subject is ‘A Year in My Garden’. This is your last chance to join us at the Club Dinner at the Charlton Arms, Ludlow, on March 18th. Please note that we have booked the new function room, downstairs, so we will not be cramped in the restaurant as we were last year. If you haven’t yet taken your photograph of ‘A Winter Garden’ for the August Show, your chances are running out.
New Members
The Club welcomes Ian and Pat Robertson from Orleton, Simon Snape from Orleton, Richard Ellaway from Bircher, Barbara and Richard Addyman from Leominster and Brigit Graham from Eyton.
Allotments in Orleton
If anyone in is interested in taking on an allotment in Orleton, please write to ‘The Clerk of the Parish Council’, Sue Rogers, Wainscot, Green Lane, Orleton, SY8 4JE, or phone Sue on 01584 831514. The Parish Council require at least 5 people to show an interest before looking into the possibility of providing space for allotments. The next PC meeting is March 12.
Outings
The Club Dinner is 7 – 7.30pm, March 18th at the Charlton Arms, Ludlow. The Club has booked the function room downstairs, so there will be plenty of space. Please ask Jennifer Kelley for the menu and booking form if you would like to join us. 2 courses £15, 3 courses £20. Application forms for the outing to Aberglasney on June 10th will be available at the next meeting. The cost is expected to be around £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 8:30 am. Shelley Choat is organising this trip.
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)
Midsummer Show
We are barely out of winter, but the Midsummer show schedules will be available at the meeting next month. They are of course available on the web.
Another Plea for Surrogate Seed Growers
Because of the free T&M seeds mentioned last month, Monica Todd would like volunteers who have the space to grow extra plants, vegetable and floral, to grow as many seeds as possible, with the view of supplying the plant stall at the Village Fete and also to have plants for the stall on our club evenings. The Club has a supply of seeds.
Plant Supports
There are a couple of brochures by the notice board (please do not remove) from Plant Supports (UK) Ltd who are based near Tenbury Wells. They have offered a 10% discount to the club for any order over £50, but only up to the end of March. If you would be interested in ordering any of these items please let Sue Brown know. Samples are by the notice board.
Other Gardening Club 2009 Programmes
Several other gardening clubs have given us details of their programmes for 2009. The details will be on our web site soon, and on the notice board this evening. There is often a small charge made for guests but we are welcome to attend any meetings. There are also outings that you may enjoy.
Chris Beardshaw
Just to let you all know that tickets for the Chris Beardshaw evening on November 24th will be on sale at the March meeting. These tickets are only available to card-holding, paid up members at present. The price will be £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.
Things to Do, Places To Visit
NGS: Little Malvern Court opens on March 22nd. 10 acres attached to former Benedictine Priory, magnificent views over Severn valley. Intriguing layout of garden rooms and terrace round house designed and planted in early 1980s; water garden below feeding into chain of lakes. 01684 892988 Post code: WR14 4JN Advance notice in case you wish to purchase tickets: the RHS Show, Cardiff will be 17-19 April and the Malvern Spring Show will be 7-10 May.
Seasonal Tips
Now is the time to prepare seed beds, covering them with clear polythene or fleece to warm the soil. During March you can plant out your asparagus crowns, shallots, garlic, onion sets and potted up strawberry runners. Complete the cutting back of ornamental grasses and other perennials. Also complete the pruning of summer-flowering shrubs and late summer-flowering (group 3) clematis. Renovate overgrown climbers by hard pruning. Apply high potash fertiliser to emerging bulbs. This is the best time to sow wildflower meadows on heavy soils.
Next Meeting
March 31st, the speaker is Sue Russell – “Perfume in the Garden”