Newsletter – November 2024


This will be the last newsletter for 2024 as we don’t have a meeting in December so our next meeting will be on 8th January when we have Rachel Annette telling us all about happy honeybees. I cannot believe that here we are in November and yet there is still a lot of colour in my garden and there are bees still working among the salvia blooms. What a crazy season it has been. 

Some of you may have been to see the latest film shown in the Community Centre – Swede Caroline. For those who missed it, it was certainly unusual, there weren’t many swedes in evidence but plenty of marrows. Caroline, preparing for the Championship Marrow contest seeks to uncover the truth surrounding her pilfered marrow plants and the action quickly develops into something like a cops and robbers farce. The film was co-directed by our very own Finn Bruce who regularly wins the photographic trophy in the Alresford Show and the action takes place in and around Alresford. Sharp eyes were able to identify scenes filmed in Winchester, Broad Street and Avington Park but the identity of the green houses and allotments remains secret. The last scene involved a group of ‘ne’er do wells’ being flushed out of Sun Hill Infant School aka a community centre – all great fun. In a follow up Q&A Finn confessed that the competition evident in our Horticultural Tent gave him the idea for the plot. 

We are looking forward to our Annual Supper in the Swan Hotel, 6.30 for 7.00pm on Thursday 19th December. You will already have received details by email and Val Ramshaw would like to have your menu choices by 12th December at the very latest. Payment can be made by bank transfer : Alresford & District Horticultural Society, sort code: 30 98 97, A/c no: 5346 6968, Lloyds Bank or by cheque made payable to Alresford & District Horticultural Society. Please let Vivienne know when you have paid (vivienne.isemann@hotmail.com). More forms will be available at the next meeting and you can also give Val your menu choices by phoning her on 01962 73 3160.

Our speaker this month is Ian Margetts, Farm Manager at Summerdown Mint. The Colman family have been growing, harvesting and distributing peppermint for almost three decades from their family farm near Basingstoke. In addition to telling us all that is involved, Ian will be bringing some Summerdown mints to the meeting so this will be an opportunity to make some Christmas purchases. 

If you are unable to come to the meeting, I wish you a very happy Christmas and New Year.

Janet Pooley

Chairman  

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