At the end of June, the society planted three trees on the grass triangle opposite the church to replace the Horse Chestnut. They are Devon Whitebeam (Sorbus devoniensis), Crab Apple (Malus sylvestris) and Double White Hawthorn (Craetagus laevigata “Plena”  We hope these will all flourish and provide a lasting feature to enhance our beautiful village.

Already we are planning our competitive Autumn Show and Bring & Buy Plant Sale, which takes place at Uplyme Village Hall, Saturday, September 21st, from 2pm to 4pm. Admission: adults £1, children free. Printed schedules are now available from Uplyme Post Office, Raymond’s Hill Post Office and Ginger Beer in Broad Street, Lyme Regis, or download here.
Donations of plants and produce (cakes, jams, fruit and vegetables) to sell to help raise funds will be gratefully received at the hall from 9am on the morning of the show.

DIARY DATES

Sunday August 18th – a coach trip to Highgrove the home of Prince Charles. This is extra to those trips listed in the programme. The cost is £25 for members. There are a few seats available on a first come, first served basis. If you would like to go please let me know as soon as possible.

Wednesday August 28th 7.30pm – talk ‘Designing a Show Garden’ by Hugo Bugg, RHS Young Designer of the Year 2010 and Gold medallist RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. PLEASE NOTE the venue for this talk is Woodmead Halls, Hill Road, Lyme Regis. Admission: members free, non-members £2

Tuesday September 10th – coach trip to National Trust’s Avebury Manor and Gardens as featured in the BBC’s ‘To the Manor Reborn’, plus Avebury Henge, the world famous stone circle – similar to Stonehenge but here you can walk beside and touch the mystical ancient stones originally placed in position about 2600BC. Coach fare: members £11, non-members £13. Departing at 8am from Uplyme Village Hall. Please ring Rob Harvey on 01297 631664 as soon as possible to reserve your place on the coach.

Wednesday September 25th 7.30pm – talk ‘Abbotsbury Gardens Past, Present and Future’ by Steve Griffith curator of Abbotsbury Gardens. Admission: members free, non-members £2.

TOUR OF ROSE FIELDS

Members and guests enjoyed a visit to St. Bridget’s Rose Fields in Exeter on Tuesday, July 23rd, where they learnt about the production of roses and were able to see the various stages in situ.The sunny weather enabled the fragrance of the fields of flowering roses to be fully appreciated. They were also able to see plants being raised from cuttings in the extensive glasshouses and polytunnels at St. Bridget’s, where all plants sold are home-grown.

LOST PROPERTY . . . ?

Certain Summer Show handicraft exhibits were accidentally left behind at the end of show day. Please call me on 01297 443793 if you think one of them might be yours.

DIARY DATES

Tuesday July 23rd – St Bridget’s Rose Fields near Exeter, an afternoon visit and tour departing in shared cars from Uplyme Village Hall at 1.40pm. To book your place please phone Ann Prince 01297 443793 or 07901 932535 by July 20th. Members free; non-members welcome £2.

Wednesday July 31st 7.30 pm – ‘Snakes Alive’ the scariest ticket in town. Not photographs but the real thing – a display and talk on snakes and exotic reptiles by Tiny Boas of Exeter in support of Lifeboat Week. This is an all ticket evening in Uplyme Village Hall. Adults £3, under 16s £1. Tickets available from Uplyme Post Office and the Lifeboat Shop, Cobb Square, Lyme Regis. Dare you come?

Every July we hire a huge marquee and hold a Summer Show at the Uplyme Village Hall and Playing Field. This is the 84th year and it will be held on Saturday, July 20th between 12noon and 5.00pm. Entrance £2.00, car parking free.

There are trophies and awards in fruit, flower and vegetable classes, as well as floral art, home produce, handicrafts and photography. And there are hotly-contested classes for eggs, home-made wine, ‘fun’ entries and those for juniors.

To see how you might compete, download the Summer Show schedule 2013 which contains a full list of classes that you can enter as well as notes on awards, judges and recipes. It also includes the official entry form. Download an entry form 2013 if you need extras of that page only. Or you can obtain a free printed copy of the schedule at Uplyme Post Office, Raymonds Hill Post Office and Ginger Beer in Lyme Regis. Entry forms need to be in by 9pm on Wednesday July 17th. Compete in as many classes as you wish. Entry is open to all – members and non-members – and there is no fee.

entries on display

The day’s entertainment will include marquee displays of all show entries, and the presentation of awards. Out on the playing field and in the village hall will be an afternoon of fun with a countryside theme.

• The River Cottage team returns – this year Head Gardener Craig Rudman and assistant Will Livingstone. Craig will give a talk on the unexpected versatility and delicacy of edible flowers, both cultivated and foraged from the wild. He and Will are also judging two new show classes sponsored by River Cottage.River Cottage Head Gardener Craig Rudman

• There will be birds-of-prey displays – twice – see the awesome power of eagles, cute and cuddly owls and falcons swooping past at 150mph.

• A miniature steam-train will be running all afternoon with free rides for those small enough to climb aboard.Steam train with small passengers

• Non-stop live music and dancing will be performed by Uplyme Morris Men, No Mean Feet Appalachian dancers, Black Velvet Band, the Shanty Singers and Uplyme music-man Ian Thompson.

• Cute canines will compete in the various classes of the Family Dog Show. See contestants being put through their paces – for ‘The Most Appealing Eyes’ or ‘The Waggiest Tail’.

• Children will be urged to join in races and fairground amusements – with a bouncy castle, a ‘test your strength’ machine, fun rides and candy floss.

• East Devon bee keepers will be there to offer advice on apiculture. They will bring an observation hive of live bees (totally enclosed!) and invite you to join in honey-tasting.

• Wattle-hurdlemaker Alan Brown, sixth generation of a family making traditional hurdles from Dorset coppiced hazels will demonstrate one of the oldest country crafts.

• Ladies of the Rousdon Spinners will produce woollen yarn from sheep and alpaca fleeces. Ask them questions, compare their different spinning wheels, have a go… and find out why last year’s fleece of an alpaca named Daisy is special.

• Lyme Regis Museum researchers Graham Davies and Richard Wells will present a continuous slide show Parish of Uplyme, Past and Present and will be delighted to answer questions about Uplyme’s history – find them in the village hall throughout the afternoon.

• Sideshows testing skill and luck come in many familiar guises – tombolas, raffles and coconut shies – but nothing can prepare you for edible tombola and… croquet.

• Local artisans will display their wares for sale – potters, blacksmiths and wood-joiner craftsmen; nurserymen who grow plants, orchard-tenders who make cider, and farmers who shear their alpacas for wool; basket-weavers, candle-makers, fudge-producers, ice-cream makers and even a 5-minute-portrait artist.Sitting Spiritually – here exhibiting their seating at Chelsea – will be at our show

• For visitors who crave a sit down and a cup of tea, River Cottage’s Pam-the-Jam Corbin and her team will be serving sandwiches, delicious strawberry cream teas and home-baked cakes that will make you feel nurtured – all in the village hall.

• And for those who prefer ‘grazing’ outside on the field, the Mary Jane Food Truck will serve Caribbean-style dishes. Olivia Holmes with friends Jess and Julie will be offering jerk chicken with rice and peas, a vegetarian or a goat curry.Olivia and Jess at the Mary Jane Food Truck

• There will be a beer tent featuring Mighty Hop, a family-owned Lyme Regis micro brewery, with its cask beers on tap. They’ll also be offering a choice of wine.

• Emma Stapleforth will be serving her Rumpy Scrumpy farmhouse cider, made from local hand-picked cider apples, fermented in oak whiskey barrels.                            Emma Stapleforth with her prizewinning farmhouse cider

• Especially made to be served at the show is a fresh batch of Pam’s elderflower cordial – a sharp, lemony, thirst-quenching drink.

• The show’s Grand Raffle will have cash prizes – a first of £50 – as well as complimentary tickets for local entertainments: Lyme’s Regent Cinema, Seaton Tramway, Pecorama and a family fossil walk with geologists Paddy and Chris of the museum. Plus prizes of local restaurant meals, cream teas, hampers – even a haircut and blow-dry.

Programme of Saturday’s events

8.00am   Marquee opens to exhibitors to stage their entries

10.00am  Marquee closes to exhibitors
10.15am  Judging commences
12 noon   Show opens
12.30pm  Birds-of-prey display by Xtreme Falconry
2.00pm   Taste the Flowers talk – River Cottage’s Craig Rudman
2.30pm    Family Dog Show – fun classes for family pets
3.15pm    Children’s races on the field
4.00pm    Birds-of-prey display by Xtreme Falconry
4.45pm    Presentation of awards and raffle draw
5.00pm    Exhibits may be removed

Reverend Gavin Tyte with daughters Rowena and Gemma

The Tyte family, Uplyme’s Reverend Gavin and daughters Rowena (12) and Gemma (14), were busy among the broad beans this week in preparation for the Horticultural Society’s Summer Show on Saturday July 20.
Not that broad beans are their only garden crop, cabbages, runner beans, strawberries, rocket and chillies could all provide the elusive winner’s award. But no decisions on which ones to enter are being made until the Wednesday before the show, the last date for entry, July 17.
The vicar is no newcomer to Horticultural Society competition – he beat River Cottage’s Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s entry to first place in the ‘Crudité’ class two years ago – and this year is contemplating what ingredients might make ‘Three Good Things on a Plate’, another class that relies on taste rather than appearance.
The girls’ strategy for winning seems to be based on quantity – entering as many of the ‘Age 12 to 14’ creative and cooking classes as they can, plus taking a shot at the Young Gardeners Award with its River Cottage prizes.
And Whispa, the Tyte’s labrador, will not be staying at home on show day, Rowena plans to enter her in the family dog show – certainly in the ‘Most Appealing Eyes’ class.

Rowena Tyte with Whispa

To see how you might compete, download the Summer Show schedule 2013 which contains a full list of classes that you can enter as well as notes on awards, judges, recipes and an entry form. If you need extra entry forms download an Entry form 2013. Or you can obtain a free printed copy of the schedule at Uplyme Post Office, Raymonds Hill Post Office and Ginger Beer in Lyme Regis.

pictures Carole Halden

River Cottage Head Gardener Craig Rudman (pictured above) will give a talk during the society’s Summer Show on Saturday July 20th.
Craig is passionate about edible plants, both cultivated and foraged from the wild, and his produce helps keep the River Cottage chefs happy. But his enthusiasm goes further, as visitors to the show will hear when Craig talks about the unexpected versatility and delicacy of edible flowers.
A graduate of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Craig and his assistant Will Livingstone will also be judging some of the classes including the Young Gardener Award. Craig says “This aims to encourage children to discover the joys of growing their own food. Unlike many produce classes where appearance, shape and size are taken into account we will be judging purely on taste. That’s what really matters”. First prize is an afternoon in the River Cottage garden with Craig and Will plus lunch for the winner and parent.
To find out how to enter this or any of the classes – for adults and children – see here or pick up a printed copy of the Summer Show schedule from Ginger Beer in Lyme Regis, Uplyme Post Office or Raymonds Hill Post Office.

picture courtesy Matt Austin

Climbing Plants – whizz kids of the plant world – are the subject of garden designer Jenny Short’s talk at the horticultural society on Wednesday June 26th.

Climbers will complement a beautiful wall, rush up into a tree, frame an entrance, or tumble over an unattractive shed. The ugliest fence can vanish under a cascade of flowers or foliage. Jenny discusses what kind of support, from sophisticated trellis to wires on walls; which plants for which aspect – no need to be daunted by the prospect of a north wall; and how to choose so that there are flowers somewhere in your garden year-round. A climber does more than most plants to add maturity, and its impatient, vigorous race for the light creates beautiful clothing for garden structures.

Jenny illustrates her talk with plants and projected slides, beginning at 7.30pm at Uplyme Village Hall. There are refreshments and the chance to ask questions and meet fellow gardeners and plant enthusiasts. Everyone welcome, free for members; £2 non-members.

Perfumed honeysuckle Lonicera Americana – one of the climbers Jenny Short recommends for a north-facing site

The Society attracted over a hundred keen local gardeners to its spring plant sale and coffee morning on Saturday 18 May. A total of £825 was raised from the sale of plants, home produce and refreshments – which included delicious bacon butties from Pam Corbin and her team.

These funds help finance Uplyme’s big annual summer event, the Horticultural Society’s Summer Show and Country Fayre on Saturday 20 July. For details of the fun-packed day – which will include Pam’s special cream teas – see summer show.

Brisk business…

and Pam’s bacon butties.

A visit to the Royal Horticultural Society garden at Wisley on 7th May was made by 25 members and friends. Setting off at 7.45am for the three hour coach journey to Surrey they were rewarded with a fascinating day exploring the vast RHS grounds and greenhouses in glorious weather. Every border, lawn and walkway was a gardener’s dream of perfection – as was the enormous choice and quality of plants on sale in the garden centre. Arriving back in Uplyme at 7pm everyone felt it was a journey well worth making.

DIARY DATES

Monday 17th June – trip to Hidcote Manor and/or Kiftsgate Court Gardens departing by coach from Uplyme Village Hall at 7.30am. These two gardens are within walking distant of each other with entry charges of £8.50 to Hidcote (or free if you are a National Trust member), and £6 to Kiftsgate which is not an NT garden. These entry fees are to be paid direct by members on arrival. The cost of the coach is payable in advance: members £13; non-members welcome £15. To book a place on this trip please contact Brian 07831 533580.

Wednesday 26th June – talk Climbing Plants – Reach for the Stars by Jenny Short. 7.30pm at Uplyme Village Hall.

AND THE BIG EVENT…

Saturday 20th July
Uplyme and Lyme Regis Horticultural Society’s
84th SUMMER SHOW & COUNTRY FAYRE 12noon to 5pm (note the earlier opening time this year) at Uplyme village hall, playing field and marquee. Entrance £2.00, car parking free.

Exhibitors compete for trophies and awards in fruit, flower and vegetable classes, as well as floral art, home produce, craft and photography. And there are hotly-contested categories for home-made wine, eggs, ‘fun’ entries and those for juniors.

Local horticultural, craft and charity stallholders are there in force. Throughout the afternoon is a programme of games, competitions, music, dancing and the perennially popular family dog show. Special attractions include free steam train rides and, new this year, a falconry display.

For the hungry and those in need of a sit-down there is an outside barbecue and, indoors, sandwiches and Pam’s delicious cream teas.

We look forward to seeing you there for an entertaining and fun-filled afternoon. The Summer Show programme and schedule is available from local shops or download an entry form 2013 here and Instructions and Notes for entry form. Also the full Summer Show Schedule 2013 – warning – 19Mb so takes a while to download on a slow connection….