TESSA ALLEN

We were entertained and enlightened by the talk given by Tessa Allen on the subject of "Sex and Violence in the Garden" on Wednesday 1 May. Given all that goes on with the various pests, bugs and everything else it is a wonder anything grows at all unless it is strictly indigenous to the UK.

The Tessa "fan club"  (her students from the RHS course at Cooling's) came along to enjoy the evening as well. Our club also has a Tessa student Vice Chairman Karen (Left). The students are pictured with Tessa below.

COMPOST COMPETITION WINNER 2013

CONGRATULATIONS ALAN
Well we have a new champion in the home grown 
compost stakes. Our members voted Alan Essex's compost to be the best of the eight entries. The previous winners are pictured in the entry below.

WEDNESDAY 1 MAY

Our next monthly meeting takes place on Wednesday 1 May at 8 pm in the Red Cross Hall at Oxted.
Our speaker this month is
TESSA ALLEN
and her talk will be
"Sex and Violence in the Garden" 
Could be a bit earthy! Tessa is a well loved local tutor who takes her students through the rigours of RHS courses.

In addition to the usual monthly competition it is time for our annual award for home made compost. Here are the joint 2012 winners.

Now is your chance to give them a challenge.

The award winner is chosen by the members
present on the evening, based on the the compost
aroma, its texture, and appearance.

To enter you should be a member, your
compost should be home made within the last
year.

We look forward to a table full of entries.
Good luck with yours.

Graham Talbot

We enjoyed an excellent talk on fruit growing by Graham Talbot at our Monthly Meeting on 3 April.

Lots of practical advice and tips to ensure bumper fruit crops.

Graham is seen here with Helen Ellson, who is the leading light associated with the very successful, Limpsfield Community Orchard project

Carlton Daffodil Competiton

Last December at the AGM, members were invited to take away a selection of "Carlton" daffodils, and present them in a friendly competition at our March Monthly Meeting. Our photograph shows the worthy winner, Rosemary Lewis, with her prize winning entry.
It really goes to show that Rosemary is maintaining her green fingered touch.
Congratulations also go to Rick Meakin (second), and Julie Simpson (third).
We have our annual best home made compost competition in May, and look forward to a record number of entries to challenge last years winners.

FERGUS GARRETT

A packed Red Cross Hall in Oxted on 6 February greeted an inspirational talk by Fergus Garrett on his favorite topic Great Dixter. It was an occasion we shall all long remember. If you ever get the chance to hear him, do not miss it.

He is seen here showing off some of the Dixter delights. Thank you Fergus

AGM and Christmas Celebration

The AGM went smoothly and we decided  to adopt a new working title as an experiment for a year. From the start of 2013 we shall call ourselves  "The Grow With Us Club". We shall
still use the old title for business purposes.

We are also pleased to introduce our new President, Roy Eaton, and a new member of the Committee, Julie Simpson. We are sure they will add some exciting dynamics to the club.

In the meantime our best wishes for a very happy

CHRISTMAS and NEW YEAR

Chalara dieback of ash (Chalara fraxinea)

We thought this video may be of interest to help identify the problem. It is prepared by the Forestry Commission, and the link with further details can be found here:
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara