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.

Annual Potato Day takes place on Saturday February 8 at Drimpton Village Hall. Organised by the Clapton, Wayford and District Horticultural Society, there will be a wide variety of seed potatoes on sale, as well as all-day brunches, lunches and cakes. For full details please click on 2014 Potato Day here.

Our secretary Ann Prince is moving house away from Lyme. She will be much missed for her enthusiasm, charm and effectiveness as a committee member – not to mention her horticultural prowess at Show time!

We are looking for someone to replace her as secretary of the committee as soon as possible. I would be delighted to hear from members – or even non-members – of the Society who feel Ann’s job (or a share of it) would be the sort of involvement they would welcome. The secretary’s role is much like that on any committee – minute-taking at meetings and AGMs, and dealing with general correspondence on behalf of the Society.

If you would like to know more details about what is required or to volunteer your services, please give me a call or email.

Jenny Harding
Chairman
tel: 01297 444034
jennyhlyme@hotmail.co.uk

Agapanthus

‘Secrets of a Victorian Walled Garden’ will be revealed at the next meeting of our Society when Chris Smith talks about the gardening pursued in walled gardens and greenhouses of the second half of the 1800s.

Chris Smith’s own walled garden is home of Pennard Plants, a small nursery in Somerset. It produces heritage vegetable seeds – notably French bean Cherokee Trail of Tears – old-fashioned flower seeds, including a honey bee mixture, and agapanthus in a profusion of varieties old and new. His nursery is a regular Royal Horticultural Society show medal winner, including a gold at Chelsea in 2013.

Following the talk on Wednesday January 22 at 7.30pm at Uplyme Village Hall will be an opportunity to ask Chris questions and purchase seeds and plants. Admission is free for members, £3 non-members, and refreshments will be available.

Visit the Society’s web page to see our programme of talks, events and outings for the coming year here.

A quiz evening to brighten up the non-gardening months of winter is being organised. There will be a light-hearted quiz, not too taxing for amateur diggers and planters, and a chance to get social over drinks and snacks. There is also the opportunity to win a Christmas tree. Come with your own small quiz team or join in with others when you arrive. The evening starts at 7.30pm on Wednesday, November 27 at Uplyme Village Hall. Everyone is welcome, admission is free for members, £2 non-members.

As the year draws to a close we are well underway with our plans for the 2014 programme of events. Here is a taste of things coming next year:

January 22, Wednesday, 7.30pm: TALK ‘Secrets of a Victorian Walled Garden’ Chris Smith of Pennard Plants (Chelsea GOLD Medallist).

February 26, Wednesday, 7.30pm: TALK ‘The Winter Garden’ by John Horsey from East Lambrook Manor (Margery Fish) Garden.

March 26, Wednesday, 7.30pm: the Society’s ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING followed by a TALK ‘Making the Most of Veg’ by Nick Rigden, Head of Horticulture at Cannington College and Senior Examiner for the RHS.

April 23, Wednesday, 7.30pm: DEMONSTRATION/WORKSHOP Willow Weaving with Jenny Knight of J K Willows near Axminster.

May 10, Saturday, 10.30am: PLANT SALE AND COFFEE MORNING

May 20, Tuesday: VISIT to Mottisfont Abbey by coach – National Trust property at Romsey, Hampshire, a country house with art gallery and remains of a 13th century priory.  Extensive gardens with riverside walks and walled garden with world-famous rose collection.

May 28, Wednesday, 7.30pm: TALK ‘Beauty and the Beast’ – an eccentric account of the natural history of Britain by Hugh Warwick.

June 25, Wednesday, 7.30pm: TALK ‘Hardy fuchsias in the garden’ with a demonstration of propagation techniques.

July 12, Saturday, 1pm to 5pm: SUMMER SHOW AND COUNTRY FAYRE at Uplyme Village Hall and playing field – the tradition begun in 1929 continues, with challenging new classes to enter, beautifully staged exhibits to see in the marquee, good food and refreshments all afternoon, live alpacas, ferret racing, dog show, steam train rides, music, dancing, country skills demonstrations, stalls and sideshows. An afternoon of fun with a bee theme.

July 23, Wednesday, 7.30pm: DISPLAY from Xtreme Falconry’s Birds of Prey. Lifeboat Week special event.

August 27, Wednesday, 7.30pm: TALK ‘Edible Flowers and More’ by Craig Rudman, River Cottage Head Gardener.

September 9, Tuesday: VISIT to Coleton Fishacre by coach – National Trust property at Kingswear, Devon – 1920s Arts & Crafts style house with Gilbert and Sullivan connections. RHS accredited garden with a daily tour.

September 24, Wednesday, 7.30pm: TALK ‘The Perfect Partnership: Lutyens and Jekyll’ by Paul Atterbury of BBC TV’s Antiques Roadshow. £3 admission.

October 22, Wednesday, 7.30pm: TALK ‘The Botany of Witchcraft’ by Edward Wells.

October 11, Saturday: AUTUMN SHOW

November 26, Wednesday, 7.30pm: GARDENERS’ QUESTION TIME with a team of experts to answer questions from the audience.

                                                                       Jenny Harding, Chairman