Upton-by-Chester Horticultural Society Affiliated to: The Royal Horticultural Society 41 Upton Lane www.uptonhortsoc.org.uk
NEWSLETTER – APRIL/JUNE 2010
Dear Member Welcome to our Spring newsletter, unfortunately the weather hasn't been fantastic so far and everything is a little behind. This caused us concern for the Church's Daffodil Festival as the pots we had planted were showing no signs of flowering in time, even though the date had been changed by a fortnight. Eventually however the sun came out and so did the daffodils. Didn't the Church look lovely? Thanks to Bob for his handiwork and to everyone else who helped and grew some pots for us. Spring Show I am sure you will all agree what a fantastic show we had. I was amazed at all the entries and the quality of them. I was very worried that we would not have much on the Show bench due to the bad weather but I was totally wrong. Thank you to everyone who made such a huge effort and made the Show so successful. Also thanks to Heather Sayle for presenting the prizes for us. I think going forward we will definitely have the Spring Show on a Saturday as it gives everyone more time to enjoy all the exhibits. Don't forget the other two shows, the entry forms are in the middle of the schedule or there will always be spares at the Hut. Don't feel you can't enter if you only have one exhibit, every one counts to making the Shows good events. Membership Don't forget our membership year has begun so if you haven't already paid please see Janet at the Hut or at one of our meetings and she will renew your membership for you. The Hut The Hut is now open on a Monday night (or Tuesday after a Bank Holiday) from 7pm to 8pm, so don't forget to go down and stock up on all the things you need for the coming season. We have a new range of compost this year called Taylors mulitpurpose and I can personally guarentee the quality of it – all my seeds are shooting up!! Take your gardening tools down to be sharpened to be ready for use as the weather gets better. Trips Harrogate Spring Show Rita has organised a trip to the Harrogate Spring Show on 24th April. We will be leaving Wealstone Lane Car Park at 8.30am prompt to enable us to get there as it opens.
Abbey Gate College The trip to see the gardens at Abbey Gate College is on the 12th May. If you are going on this outing you need to be there by 7.15pm to start the tour at 7.30pm. If you have any spare seats in your car please could you let me know and I can try and team people up so we are not taking too many cars. Garden Party One of our members has very kindly offered to open his garden to our members on Saturday 5th June. The tickets are £5 per person which includes afternoon tea. The tickets will be available at the next 2 meetings. If you can't make it to the meetings but would like to go please give me a ring. Great Dixter and other Gardens Trip This 3 day trip is now full after only one annoucement. If your name is on the list we need to collect payment for it. We need to know if you have a National Trust membership as your card will be accepted. June Meeting The tickets are on sale (and going fast) for our June meeting which is a talk from Sue Beasley – this is the rearranged one from Christmas and a Summer Supper afterwards. We are going to have a salmon supper. If you would like a ticket please let me know or buy one at the next meeting. Please could you let me know if you are a vegetarian. Challenges Our Chrysathamum Challenge is very kindly being sponsored by Chrysathamums Direct. We will be sending off for a bulk order on 19th April, to save on the postage and packaging, so if anyone would like to order any please let me know. The catalogues will be at the meetings or at the Hut. And finally Please remember the Society when you are planting your seeds or spliting your perennials and grow a couple for our Plant Sale in May. Please label them so we can identify them easily when selling them. Geoff Fieldstead is going to make more room for his roses and therefore needs to rehouse some fish. If you have any room for them please contact him on 340457. I've run out of room so I'll let you get back to your gardens to carry on the good work. Let's hope we will have a good season this year. Happy gardening Wendy Carman |