DATE Wednesday April 23 at 7.30pm
TALK & DEMONSTRATION – working with willow
Uplyme Village Hall

This month’s meeting is an introduction to working with willow by Jenny Knight – so bring secateurs and a chopping board if you would like to join in. To teach the techniques, Jenny will show how to make a snail from willow and then instruct/help all those who would like to make one for themselves.

Afterwards a display of Jenny’s willow items will be for sale. Come along, meet other garden enthusiasts and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee. Admission is free to members, £3 for non-members.

Listen in to BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time on Friday 11th (repeated Sunday 13th) April when Uplyme and Lyme Regis Horticultural Society gets a mention, as well as some useful advice. Member Robin Britton went along to the recording of this show at Forde Abbey and was lucky enough to have his question chosen. Robin says a lot of the show is taken up with flooding issues, but his question about storing onions should appear late in the running order.

Annual General Meeting of the Uplyme & Lyme Regis Horticultural Society
7.30pm on 26th March 2014 at Uplyme Village Hall

AGENDA

1. Apologies
2. Minutes of Last Meeting
3. Matters Arising
4. President’s Address
5. Chairman’s Report
6. Treasurer’s Report
7.  Election of Officers
8. Election of Committee
9. Appointment of Auditor
10. Change of date for AGM
11. Any Other Business

PROPOSAL TO CHANGE DATE OF AGM

It is proposed by the committee (under item 10) to change the date of the AGM, from now on, to November in order to facilitate printing of membership cards and schedules with up to date information re Committee members for the following year.
This will mean amending the constitution to read:

An Annual General Meeting, presided over by the President or in the absence of the President by the Chairman, shall be held not later than 1st January and be subject to at least one month’s notice. Twenty-one members shall form a quorum for any General Meeting. Any member wishing to propose a motion to be put before the Annual General Meeting shall give seven days notice in writing to the Secretary.

The Society has organised four all-day trips by coach to places of gardening interest during 2014. Everyone is welcome – non-members at an extra £3 to cover temporary  membership:

Tuesday May 20: Visit to Mottisfont Abbey and gardens – National Trust property on the banks of the River Test at Romsey, Hampshire. A romantic country house with art gallery and remains of a 13th century priory.  Extensive gardens with ancient trees, riverside walks and walled garden with world-famous rose collection. Depart from Uplyme Village Hall at 9am, price £20 for coach and admission; National Trust members £12. Please ring Brian Cursley on 01297 443642 or 07831 533580 by May 12 to book.
Tuesday July 8: Visit to RHS Hampton Court Flower Show at East Molesey, Surrey. Depart from Uplyme Village Hall 7am, return late evening, price £45 for coach and admission. Please ring Rob Harvey on 01297 631644 or Jenny Harding on 01297 444034 to book.
Tuesday September 9: Visit to Coleton Fishacre gardens and house – National Trust property at Kingswear, Devon. This wonderful RHS accredited garden (daily tour) lies in a stream-fed, secluded valley on the South Devon Coast The mild climate and shelterbelts make the garden suitable for a wide range of rare and exotic plants.  The 1920s Arts & Crafts style house with Gilbert and Sullivan connections was the country home of the D’Oyly Carte family. Depart from Uplyme Village Hall at 9.15am, price £18.80 for coach and admission; National Trust members £10. Please ring Brian Cursley 01297 443642 or 07831 533580 by September 1st to book.

Sunday October 5: Visit to Yeo Valley Organic Gardens near Blagdon, Somerset, by coach. Six and half acres of contemporary organic gardens featuring a beautifully managed ornamental vegetable garden, gravel garden, stream-side garden and two meadow areas. Great tea room, too. Depart from Uplyme Village Hall at 9.30am, price £15 for coach and admission. Please ring Jenny 01297 444034 by September 22 to book.

DATE Wednesday March 26
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – 7.30pm
TALK Making the Most of Veg – 8pm
Uplyme Village Hall

Nick Rigden, Head of Horticulture at Cannington College is guest speaker following the short AGM at our March meeting.

Whether you have a massive plot or just a few planters, Nick’s illustrated talk Making the Most of Veg will inspire you to grow your own fresh crops and confirm that producing vegetables is satisfying as well as healthy.

Nick has been involved in horticultural education for over 40 years and is a senior examiner for the Royal Horticultural Society. His broad knowledge and practical experience of gardening, exhibiting and judging brings natural authority to his talks.

Ferrets Alice and Jacob with their Kingston Maurward College handlers

One hundred and twenty Society supporters fussed over and photographed the seven small ferrets that made up the racecard at the Curry Night and Ferret Racing fundraiser on Friday, March 7.

Handlers Chrissie Rolfe and Stephen Hiley of the Animal Care Unit at Kingston Maurward College, supported by students Hannah Ring, Clare Bacon and Maxine Larcombe (pictured above) demonstrated great care and knowledge of their tiny charges.

Ferrets Speedy Sarah, Roger-the-Dodger, Zara Zoom, Alice, Jacob, Summer and Blossom compensated for what they lacked in racing skills with displays of extreme cuteness, and enabled prizes worth over £300 to be won by lucky punters.

Between races Alasdair Marshall of Spice & Rice served guests with a choice from five of his delicious curry menus.

The evening raised £850 for Society funds, which will help cover costs of the Summer Show and fees for guest speakers at meetings throughout the year.

FUNDRAISER – Curry Night and Ferret Racing
NEW DATE Friday March 7
Doors open 7.00pm
Uplyme Village Hall

Bad weather caused our Valentine’s evening at the races to be cancelled – the Kingston Maurward ferrets made the wise decision to stay at home. A new date has been arranged for Friday March 7. We hope those who bought tickets for Valentine’s night are able to come along on this rearranged date. Whether or not, please telephone or email Jenny Harding 01297 444034 jennyhlyme@hotmail.co.uk or Pam Corbin 01297 442378 ozonepam@aol.com to confirm you will be coming or to arrange a refund.

We were sold out for the February 14 date but some returned tickets might now be available. If you were one of the disappointed would-be racegoers and would like to come along on March 7, ring or email Jenny or Pam – ticket price is £8.50 including the curry. Uplyme Post Office will not be involved in refunds or re-selling of tickets.

As before, doors open at 7pm and the first race will be at 7.30pm. There are five races – one every half-hour or so – with betting at £1 a go, and cash prizes of £25, £10 and £5 for each race.

Delicious Spice’n’Rice curries – either meat or vegetarian – are being served between races, and tea, coffee and soft drinks will be on sale, or bring your own bottle if you prefer something alcoholic.

It is essential to hold tickets in advance. All proceeds will go to the Horticultural Society’s funds

   Winter snowdrops at East Lambrook Manor (Margery Fish Gardens)

John Horsey of East Lambrook Manor Gardens is the Society’s guest speaker on Wednesday February 26. His talk ‘The Winter Garden’ begins at 7.30pm at Uplyme Village Hall and everyone is welcome.

The internationally famous garden at East Lambrook Manor was the work of celebrated plantswoman the late Margery Fish who created this iconic cottage garden in 1938. John’s talk will relate to plants there and be illustrated by pictures of the garden. He will discuss the plants that enliven gardens through the darkest months from late autumn to early spring and see us through the gloomiest time of year.

After the talk will be an opportunity to ask questions and meet fellow garden enthusiasts. Admission is free for members, £3 non-members, and refreshments will be available.

Further information about the Millennium Seed Bank Partnership at Kew can be seen  here.

FUNDRAISER – Curry Night and Ferret Racing
Friday February 14
Doors open 7.00pm
Uplyme Village Hall

A Valentine’s evening at the races! Ferrets from Kingston Maurward College come under starters orders at 7.30pm. There are five races – one every half-hour or so – with betting at £1 a go, and cash prizes of £25, £10 and £5 for each race.

Delicious Spice’n’Rice curries – either meat or vegetarian – are being served between races, and tea, coffee and soft drinks will be on sale, or bring your own bottle if you prefer something alcoholic.

Entry for the evening is £8.50 including the curry. It is essential to book your tickets in advance. They are available from Uplyme Post Office or please ring Jenny Harding 01297 444034 or Pam Corbin 01297 442378. All proceeds to go to the Horticultural Society’s funds.