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

November Change of Speaker

It is regretted that Bill Bosom is indisposed and is unable to speak at our meeting on Wednesday 7 November. He is replaced by an LODHS regular
HILARY NEWMAN and his topical topic is
"ABC of Pruning" 
Do come and join us 
Here is something to get you in the mood:
Tom Cole from Capel Manor College in London shows you how to prune apple trees between late Autumn and early Spring. A great video on how you can prune apples for maximum taste.

 

OFFICIAL FAREWELL TO LEN

At our monthly meeting on Wednesday 3 October we were able to say our formal farewell to our President Len Stebbings, as he is soon to move from Oxted to a new home in East Anglia. He was presented with an engraved silver salver.

Below he is seen with his wife Pearl.

We wish them well  in their new home, and are sure that the gardeners of Suffolk will be delighted by his arrival.

OCTOBER MONTHLY MEETING

Wednesday 3 October at 8pm

Red Cross Hall, Oxted

JIM BUTTRESS gives his talk on

London Parks

Jim Buttress who was the superintendent of the Royal Parks for 25 years. He also had responsibility for ensuring all the flags and decorations for royal occasions were in place and the floral displays were colour coordinated. The Royal Parks are Green Park, Kensington Place Park, St James’s Park, and Hyde Park. Others were also included such as Buckingham Palace and Clarence House.

As well as this very important job in London, Jim, who was trained at Wisley as an apprentice, is an Associate of Honour of the RHS and was awarded the Victorian Medal of Honour in 2006 amongst other awards. He is still very involved with many aspects of horticulture.

He is also involved with the creation of the world garden at Lullingstone Castle since 2005.

WE WILL ALSO BE SAYING OUR FAREWELLS TO

PRESIDENT LEN 

Do come and join us

 

BARRY NEWMAN

We were given an entertaining, not to say enlightening talk by Barry Newman on Wednesday 3 September. He is National Chairman of the Vegetable Society and was introduced by our President Len Stebbings.

Len also had some news for members. He is moving later this year to Suffolk, and we hope to mark his departure and thank him at our October meeting.

They are seen together casting a professional eye at a vegetable entry to the monthly competition.