"BEYOND OUR BORDERS" DISPLAY AT CHELSEA

Andrew Gaunt provided a copy of the leaflet that goes with the Animal and Plant Health Agency garden that is on display at the this year's Chelsea Flower Show. Do take a look if you have the opportunity.
Click on each of the pages to enlarge.

PLANT SALE 2015

We were delighted with the outcome of our 2015 Plant Sale on Saturday 9 May. We opened the doors to an eager crowd at 9am who for the next hour or so devoured most of what was on offer.
The is a major event for the Society, that helps keep us financially viable.
So, a big thank you to those who supplied the plants, to those that came along to buy and to all those who helped out on the day.

The plants start to arrive and Julie is in charge of price setting.

Sales underway, with Chairman Rick giving advice assisting.

GRAVETYE MANOR VISIT

On Friday 1 May a party of our members were shown round the grounds of Gravetye Manor by Head Gardener,
Tom Coward. This was a follow up to his talk in February. The places for the visit were limited and was very oversubscribed.
A most informative occasion. Thank you Tom for giving your time and to Sandra for
making the arrangements.
Click on the photos to enlarge.
See Tom talking about the Spring Garden at Gravetye in the video below, as it was in 2012.

GRAVETYE SPRING 2012

ANDREW GAUNT

At our May monthly meeting Andrew Gaunt from the Animal and Plant Health Agency came to talk to us about "Alien Pests and Diseases". What he had to say was really quite alarming, as many of us had no idea of the extent to which our trees, shrubs, plants etc are at risk. The work carried out by the Agency goes largely unheralded, but is essential.
There is no question that Andrew had our undivided attention, and it is well worth hearing what he has to say if you get the opportunity.
Did you know, for example, that until 1990 the UK dealt with one or two new tree pest and diseases every ten years, but during the past decade has had to cope with eighteen.
You can help by becoming part of the Observatree scheme. Chick here to find out more.

LIMPSFIELD CHART BLUEBELLS

Just look at this sea of English wild Bluebells as seen and photographed by our Chairman Rick.
They are in Limpsfield Chart  woodland near to Trevereux, just a few minutes walk from the the road.
Well worth a look if you get the chance, but do so soon before they disappear!

JUDE LAWTON: PLANT HERITAGE

We were given an insight into the working of plant heritage and conservation by
Jude Lawton who looks after  the Kent Group.here for further information that can be found on the Plant Heritage website.

Helen Ellson talking to Jude Lawton

What incredible, and valuable work this organisation undertakes to ensure that all types of plants are conserved for the future. The work is conducted with little funding and is mostly dependent on the enthusiasm of its donors, members and those  (often the same) who are custodians of the individual plant collections. Do take a look.

One thing you can do is become a plant guardian, which allows people across the UK to become involved cultivated plant conservation in their own back garden, greenhouse, allotment or windowsill. This is the case even if you do not have a threatened plant already, and no, you do not have top house a collection. Take a look at this link to find out more.

DAFFODIL COMPETITON 2015

At the AGM last December, members were invited to take away to grow some examples of the "Golden Harvest" variety of daffodil. The object being to bring them back, in flower, to the meeting on Wednesday 1 April. We were delighted to have seven splendid entries. The judges were those attending the meeting who could vote by placing a coin in pot of the one they thought to be the best. The entry with the most coins being the winner.
It was nearly a family affair with Alan Essex the winner, Sandra Essex third, but sitting between them is Roger Hewitt who came in second.
Our thanks to Rick and Jenny for organising the competition.
On the right is the champ with his winning entry.