Our Christmas Celebration 2013

 CHEERS!

Karen and Morag get the Christmas cheer ready to serve following the formal AGM. Each table was then asked to prepare a Christmas wreath. Below is the full collection.

 The entries were judged by Philip and Rosemary.

After due deliberation the winners were announced :

1st Alan (centre) 2nd Angela (right) and 3rd Elizabeth (left). Congratulations to them all!

NOVEMBER MEETING

Our speaker on 6 November was John Hughes and his subject was the Botanical Garden of Rio. It all looked so interesting and exciting we almost organised a trip to Brazil on the spot.
John has a great knowledge of plants trees and shrubs, and with his thirst for travel offers enormous enthusiasm for his subject. Another entertaining evening. Catch him if you can!
He is seen here with Linda and Julie.

The unsung hereos behined the scenes who contribute so much to make our evenings a success.
Who is helping this month? it will be revealed in our December Newsletter.
We shall be also looking for helpers in 2014.

October Meeting

Here is our speaker, John Negus, from Sissinghurst who gave a talk on Wednesday 2 October.

Below are entries to the monthly competition by Roy and Sandra. The last chance to enter is November. 

FRENCH ROUNDABOUTS

It is often an impressive sight to see French road roundabouts. They are very often extremely creative and, it seems competitive from town to town. The first looks as though it has been struck by the Titanic. That would be clever as the town is Evian (yes, where the water comes from) and is immediately adjacent to Lake Geneva.

The other is only a section of what can be seen as you leave (or arrive) at Evian. There was no opportunity to photograph all of it, but it almost requires a full time gardener!

Autumn Flower and Produce Show

Saturday 14 September at the Community Hall Oxted was a great day in every respect. This was the first show jointly presented by the Grow With Us Club (LODHS) and the Hurst Green Gardening Club. We enjoyed over 200 entries, and a great number of visitors throughout the afternoon. Here are a few photos of the event.
Thanks to all who made it possible.

Above are our two judges Carol and Sylvia doing their stuff with Morag and Linda.

Below are some shots of the excellent produce. You could almost eat it there and then

We see Hurst Green Show Secretary Leslie with their Chairman Jane commenting about the exhibits.

Hurst Green Chairman Jane presented the prizes. Here she is seen with Linda a prize winner as well as Show Secretary for the Grow With Us Club.

We all look forward to 2014.

PRUNING BY PAUL GRIMMER

Paul Grimmer came to give a talk and demonstrate how best to prune a whole range of plants trees and shrubs. He filled two tables with plant materials to show just what could and should be done.
One most important reminder is to use bypass secateurs correctly (ie: keep the anvil away from the cut). All most helpful.

LIMPSFIELD IN BLOOM 2013

Personally, I have found the results of "Limpsfield in Bloom 2013" to be most impressive. I do hope they village wins an award, as it is well deserved. These are August photos although the judging was in July. The hanging baskets and flowers containers bring a smile every time you drive through the High Street, and makes stopping for the traffic a pleasant experience......! If you get the chance it is worth while walking the length of the village to see all the cottage gardens and to take in properly all that has been done.
Here are a few photos that only give a hint as to what can be seen.

Double Champ......

Not content with the best in show at the Hurst Green Evening Summer Flower Show, Margaret wins the July monthly competition with her splendid sweet peas. The intoxicating aroma must have worked it justifiable magic.
Congratulations!

THE CUP CAKE QUEENS

As port of our members evening in July, Morag and Jo demonstrated how to make toppings for cup cakes. What a talented pair, as can be seen from the results below. Hopefully this will give inspiration for the domestic section at our Show in September.

DOUBLE DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY

Roy and Una, Derek and Joyce celebrated their diamond wedding anniversaries in May, and we marked the occasion at our July monthly meeting. Regrettably Derek and Joyce were not fit enough to attend, but we made sure they benefited from the delicious cakes that were prepared. Blessed be the cake makers.......

...our love and congratulations go to both couples.

Hurst Green Evening Flower Show

Hurst Green Gardening Club held their Summer Evening Flower Show on Wednesday 12 June. Margaret Hackers entry was chosen as best in show. Congratulations to her from us all!
Also shown is the miniature display first prize. Thanks to Alan Essex for the photos.

COLOUR IN FAY'S GARDEN

Fay has done well with her Old Oxted garden with these delightful splashes of colour. It just shows how effective the "long" hanging baskets can be.

GREAT DIXTER & MERRIMENTS

On Sunday 9 of June an intrepid group of travelers set out from Oxted to visit the delights of Great Dixter and Merriments. Here are a few pictures to give a flavour of the day kindly sent by Ron Peet, 

Michael Grimes and Alan Essex. 

Click on the photos to enlarge.

 

PLANT SALE

BONANZA SALE!
All gone by 10.15......

We sold nearly all our plants between 9 and 10.15 today. No one can recall such speedy sales, they were buying it up by the box full.

Our thanks to all who came along, and especially those who grew all the plants. It all looked (and was) very attractive.

We shall have to try and increase the volume of plants for 2014.

HAPPY (DIAMOND) ANNIVERSARY

PRESIDENT ROY AND HIS WIFE UNA

CELEBRATED THEIR DIAMOND WEDDING

ANNIVERSARY ON 9 MAY 

We are sure you will want to join us in wishing

Roy and Una all the very best in celebrating

their Diamond Wedding Anniversary on

Thursday 9 May 2013. A terrific achievement, and all of us at the Grow with us Club! (LODHS) offer our heartiest congratulations.

The couple are very active within the Club and

remain keen and competitive gardeners with lots of entries and exhibits to local Flower and Vegetable Shows.

Long may it all continue! 

PLANT SALE SATURDAY 11 MAY 2013

Come along to our annual Plant Sale at the Red Cross Hall, Oxted on Saturday 11 May from 9am.
Lots of plants, shrubs and vegetables for the garden at good prices. You can usually find something unusual to grow as well. A bit of friendly gardening advice is also available should you want it
We look forward to seeing you.

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.