Pruning shrub roses with Ian le Gros of RHS Hyde Hall

We thought this video will assist with your pruning activities this winter.
It is best to get shrub roses pruned before February.

AGM & CHRISTMAS PARTY

On Wednesday 5 December at 8pm we shall have our AGM, followed by the Christmas Party. The latter a chance to relax after the formalities which we hope will not take too long.
The AGM is a chance for Members to have their say about the future of the Society and we hope many will come along and contribute.
The Agenda is set out below. Click on it to enlarge.

WINTER COLOUR

Walking through Limpsfield last week I came across this stunning acer. The red really was something to see, and the photo does not do justice to the reality.
Passing again a few days later all the leaves had dropped.
So it seems that Autumn need not always be depressing if you happen to catch some of the wonderful examples of colour that are round and about.

John Waller - Willow Weaving

The preparation

On Wednesday 7 November we were treated to a willow weaving demonstration by an expert at the craft, John Waller.
Unusually, we were requested to make sure no one was seated nearer than 10 feet from the demonstration, and once John got cracking it was clear why this had to be.
Just look at the length of those willow branches, and you can see the need to keep clear.
Before the start of the demonstration the scene was set by what appeared to be  a wigwam made out of willow. A rather unusual setting for the start of one of our meetings.
However when John got to work, the evolution was almost magical. With manipulative dexterity the willow branches of varying widths were weaved into the frame work all accompanied by an explanatory commentary.

The final product can be seen in the image below.
John runs courses at the Greenwood Workshop at Bore Place between Edenbridge and Sevenoaks. His website is here.

The start

The finished product

The coppiced willow tree