OGC News November 2008

Thanks To

Ÿ         Margaret Lyon and John and Anne Wright for preparing tonight’s refreshments and to those who set up the hall ( the list for setting up has gone missing!).

Ÿ         Lyn Jones for organising another wonderful Sunday lunch at Titley Village Hall.  The food, once again, was delicious and a great time was had by all!

Don’t Forget…
This evening the speaker is Roger Umpleby .   His subject is “BUGS – The good, the bad and the ugly”.

Remember, if you have any “Let’s Grow” Morrisons vouchers lying around, please hand them in to a committee member so we can pass them on to Orleton School.

AGM December 16^th

There are vacancies on the committee if you would like to be part of our friendly and lively team.  Nomination forms are available from Lyn Jones, and should be sent to Monica Todd  by 2^nd December (or handed, this evening, to any other current committee member).  We meet over tea and biscuits on a Monday afternoon, once a month, generally the week preceding the club meetings.

The Minutes of Last Year’s AGM are on the web and on the notice board this month and next month.

There are a few changes to be proposed at the AGM which you may like to consider before the evening of 16^th December.

i)                    The rules currently say that the committee should consist of 4 officers and 8 ordinary members.  We propose to reduce the number of ordinary members to 6.

ii)                   In 2010 we would like to bring the June Show forward one month and hold a flower show in May.  This will help the committee by spreading the organisation for the 2 shows and the fete over a longer period. 

iii)                 In 2010 we suggest the June or July meeting is an organised visit to a garden.  We will find one not too far away that is prepared to open in the evening.
We would retain the social club supper evening in whichever month we do not have the outing.

iv)                 We will be updating the membership pack.  The old version is available on the web and on the notice board. 

v)                  We also feel it is time to increase the subscriptions.  The last increase was 2003 when the fee rose from £3.00 to the current level of £5.00.  Speakers are charging more and their travel expenses are increasing. 

vi)                 Another suggested proposal is to charge guests £2.00.

• Collect your seed orders and remember to bring cash or a cheque payable to Monica Todd. The orders must be collected so please arrange for someone else to pick up your order if you are unable to attend. 
  
• Please bring your own wine, cutlery, glasses and crockery as well as food, a savoury and a dessert, to share.  Please bring enough serving spoons.  We suggest you label these under the handle as well as labelling your serving dishes.  There are always some items left behind and this helps us return them to their owners.

• Also, please bring a small table centre (to be taken home)

Rotas
We are circulating next year’s rotas for setting up and for refreshments this evening.  You will note that we are asking whoever volunteers to prepare the refreshments, to also supply milk and biscuits.  The cost will be reimbursed up to a total of £3.00.

Diary Date for next year

After the wonderful talk from Graham Rankin last month, the Committee thought it would be timely to arrange a trip to Aberglasney.  The provisional date is June 10^th.  So …… put this in your diary and await further information in the New Year.

Things to do, Places to Visit
You are invited to ‘Sparkle for Christmas’ a flower extravaganza by Susan Tudge.  It is being held at Richard’s Castle Village Hall on Tuesday 9^th December.  Doors open 7.00 for 7.30 pm.  Tickets £7.50 to include light refreshments. 

Seasonal tips

Ÿ         Wash greenhouse glazing and cold frames, inside and out,  and your cloches to let in more light and scrub down staging and framework with disinfectant

Ÿ         Check plants in your greenhouse for signs of overwintering pests

Ÿ         Check fruits in store for signs of rot or deterioration and plant new fruit bushes and cane fruits

Ÿ         Pile earth up around the stems of Brussels sprouts to provide extra support

Ÿ         Plant trees and bare-rooted shrubs and hedging

Ÿ         Continue Autumn cleanup begun last month. Cut back chrysanthemums to about 6 inches (15 cm), remove dead leaves and stems from dormant perennials.

Signing in ….
Please remember to sign in. 

Next Meeting

December 16^th – AGM and supper.  Collection of seeds.  See above.