Horticultural Society Newsletter and update April 2024
Spring has arrived, our gardens are full of colour, the evenings are lighter and it’s still raining. But we will always find opportunities between the showers to do some gardening.
We are now well on the way to finalising our arrangements for our annual Seed Swap and Plant Sale on Saturday 27th April in the Community Centre. The Alresford Arts Society will be running a workshop for young people making cards using beautiful Indian wood blocks, paints and collage, all on a horticultural theme. Some of our members are organising seed planting for the children and there may well be a quiz or two. This together with the usual refreshments will hopefully attract good support from the membership and local community. BUT we need your seeds and plants and help on the day. Do start potting up your plants and ask your friends and neighbours if they have any to spare. I don’t need to remind you that we need funds to pay for good quality speakers and we need more members so hopefully this will raise our profile. Please support us on the day if you can, by donating a cake, bringing and swapping seeds and plants (donations gratefully received), buying some refreshments and taking part in the activities.
We are now discussing arrangements for the Alresford Show on 7th September. So, make sure you have the date in your diary and volunteer to help if you can. The Show is late this year so all our grandchildren who would normally be there to help will all be back at school.
The printed programme for 2024/25 is available to those who have paid their annual subscription (£15). The annual fee remains at £15 and payment may be made by cheque or BACS. Just ask Membership Secretary Benny Brundish for details. Some subscriptions remain outstanding. Don’t forget to use your card to get a 10% discount at Garthowen for purchases over £20.
Val Ramshaw is looking at possible venues for visits which we may be able to do using our own transport and avoiding the high cost of coach hire. Some are free to RHS members on certain days so it would be useful to know how many of our members would qualify. Meanwhile there are many local gardens open on certain days under the National Gardens Scheme and booklets are available at the meeting.
Finally, the next meeting is our Spring Show and in order to accommodate our returning speaker Barry Newman, we are opening the doors at 6.30pm to give you time to set up your entries. Barry will be speaking on ‘Growing Vegetables in Containers’ which is sure to be a popular subject. Despite the wet conditions and very early Spring we are hoping for a colourful display. We will be awarding the Bosie Cup for the highest number of points and a runner up prize for best in show.
Janet PooleyChairman