Gardening

Horticultural Society photographs can be seen on the PHOTOS page of this Blog.

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY & GARDENING CLUB

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Tuesday 22nd February 2011

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the Meeting.

Those Present: Carl Jacobs, Pat Boyles, Carol Venner, Brigid Budd, Lizzie Jacobs, Scarlet Leatham, Sue Lemon, Anne McGrail, Jane Thompson, Mike Venner, Margaret Wood, Rob Snook, Vivien James, Jan Cannons, Patrick & Janie Middleton, Lynne Menzies, Anthea Webb, Clare Carter, David Blake

Apologies from Tony Burrow, Lis Diaper, Chrissie Eden, Marlis Gardner, Jenny Knight, Charlene Lucas, Stephanie Lucas, Chris Roberts

Minutes Taken as read

Matters Arising –  None.

The Future Scarlet has very kindly agreed to become our President and was welcomed to this position. She has sadly resigned from the committee but we hope that she will continue to contribute with her fund of local knowledge to the Society and Club.  She has generously also said that we only have to ask her if there is anything we think she can do to help.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS – THE COMMITTEE WAS VOTED-IN EN BLOC – DAVID BLAKE & ANGUS MENZIES TO JOIN EXISTING COMMITTEE

Carol has resigned as Secretary but she and Mike will continue to be responsible for the Flower Show programme and advertisers and will remain on the Committee.  Carol will continue as Gardening Club Membership Secretary.

Margaret Wood has taken over as Secretary.

David Blake has kindly agreed to join the Committee as has Angus Menzies who will be waiting in the wings to follow Carl when he steps down from being Chairman after the Show in August.  A vote of thanks was given to Carl for his hard work over the last few years as Chairman and to Angus for agreeing to learn the ropes with him until after the show.

Chairman’s Report – This was basically about the 2010 Village Show which despite heavy morning rain and wind which made setting-up very difficult, Scarlet, Brigid, Sue and Lizzie coped admirably with the morning chaos and organising the Chairman!  Thanks to Margaret for helping Carl put up the gazebos.  The show was a great success with a good turnout, lovely atmosphere and quite a lot of money changed hands!  Carl expressed his thanks to the Committee and many others.

Carl thanked Carol & Mike for doing the programmes, circulating minutes, organising judges, the band, writing thank-you letters and generally oiling the wheels.  He thanked Tony and Anne for running the raffle (including the raffling of a cake that Anne had just bought!).  A huge thanks to Chris and Nora for the Plant Sale that had people queuing down the road before it even opened its doors.  He also expressed his appreciation of the continued support of Patrick, Paul Burt, Paul Budd and to the late Mike Fowler who, though terminally ill, helped shifting poles etc.  Mike valued village life very highly and will be much missed.  Jane and Tim were thanked for their bottle stall encouraging Chilmark to part with its cash and get drunk and also to Brigid for her energy, enthusiasm, support  and cake!  Thanks also to Mary Boyles for sorting all the entries on to a spreadsheet thus helping keep scores of Trophy winners simple for Scarlet and Sue to sort out.  A big thankyou  to Margaret for organising an excellent post-show supper party at her house which was much enjoyed.

Finance – Patrick circulated copies of the 2010 accounts to all present.

Marquee hire slightly up on previous year.  Tea towels sold out.

Gardening Club funds made up of membership fees and workshop sales.

Flower show made a profit and there is £1,200 available for this year’s show represented by surplus from marquee hire and the plant sale.  We need to keep around this sum of money available in case of a disastrous year!

Polytunnel - The marquees are expected to pay for themselves over a period of time and the same goes for the polytunnel which, with many, many thanks to the Middletons, is now sited in their paddock at Manora and is nearing completion thanks to all stalwart help from members and friends, especially Chris who master-minded the project.  The plastic skin will go on on 5th March and then we’ll be raring to go.  Thanks to again to Patrick and Janie for providing much-needed refreshment of tea, cake and beer!

Plant & Seed Sale – This will take place in the Reading Room on Saturday 14th May.  Chris will need plenty of help pricking out and potting on during the weeks prior to the sale.  It would be much appreciated if you could email or phone him with offers of help to aprilliarst@yahoo.co.uk or on 716736.  Also, on the day, help will be needed to bring all the plants down from the polytunnel, set out the stalls and man them.  As the giant marrow competition was a lot of fun last year, with a lot of bantering rivalry, it was decided that this year’s competition will again be for a giant marrow!  Carl to book Reading Room for the Sale.  Margaret to put notices in Village News in April and May editions.  There will also need to be Flyers and signs to promote the event.

Flower Show – Saturday 6th August.  Entry Night at the Reading Room, Thursday 4th August 7.00 – 8.30pm (Carl to book).  Margaret to make sure there is a notice in July’s Village News announcing these dates.

Carl to ask school for use of Playing Fields again and to get permission for the Main Arena Attraction of Languedoc Gun Dogs.  He will also discuss suitable themes with Mrs. Macey

Carol reported that only the judge for the Domestic Classes had not yet replied.  All the others have agreed to come.  She has not yet heard back from Shaftesbury Town Band but will chase up.  Margaret to confirm start point.

Margaret will contact the stall-holders and give them the date of the show and, possibly, put a notice in Village News in case there’s anyone else locally who would like a stall.  (Mike will contact the RNLI).

Scarlet will open the show and present the trophies.  She will book the PA system.

Pat confirmed that the Insurance is in order.

We will not book any loos as they are expensive and have had little or no use in the past.

Somebody needs to book Hinton Hall tables.

Brigid to contact Fonthill Estate, Velcourt and Neil Hayward  re sponsorship of Main Attraction.

Carl asked for suggestions from our new Gardening Club members for altered/additional classes.

Gardening Club – Our first event will be on Saturday 26th March at Pythouse Walled Garden for a walk round their Kitchen and Flower Gardens with Head Gardener, Heather who will explain to us what is happening there in March/early April and to answer any questions from anyone.  They have a Polytunnel there and it will be interesting to learn how they use it to its best advantage.

The charge will be £3 per head to include a cup of tea or coffee and a piece of cake in the cafeteria.

Lis Diaper suggested a session on pruning but it is getting a little late for that so an autumn pruning workshop could be arranged.  (Suggested demonstrators could be Chris or Simon and Sally Butcher).

Lynne Menzies asked for something on seed sowing and pruning.

Publicity is important and Paul Wilkins has a blog – GOOGLE -chilmarkvillagelife - and invites us to provide him with fixtures and dates which Carol will see to.

Brigid said there was a second plan for the polytunnel to grow winter plants. Chris to be polytunnel’s No 1 if he agrees to this.

David offered a P.A. system but it was felt we should stay with our usual suppliers for the time being.  David also offered a 4m x 4m gazebo which could be useful.

Garden Visits - Carol suggested Lakeside Gardens on the Isle of Wight for a fun day out.  Vivien suggested the National Montana Clematis Garden  at Woodfalls, not far away from Salisbury for a May visit where Valerie LeMay Neville-Parry has over 100 different varieties.  We need to book if we would like to go on 01725 511931 or email val@lmnp.co.uk by appointment for individuals or small groups.

A.O.B. The Marquees are booked by Idris Kirby for Tisbury Fete on 25th June.

Date of next Meeting Tuesday 19th April at 7pm.

Carl to confirm venue