Today I was hoping to report on another successful year full of meetings, trips, challenges, and socials. In fairness, it was all going beautifully until March when we entered the new world of “lockdown” and everything stopped. Thankfully, we have memories to look back on up to that seminal date.
Our meetings included talks ranging from wildlife to fungi and, of course, a memorable evening in October with the renowned Jekka MacVicar. Sadly, our March and April meetings were cancelled but, hopefully we will be able to enjoy those speakers in the future. We also had a fascinating night in September when our speaker was taken ill at the last minute. However, the evening was saved by Barbara and Helen Evans of Pheasant Acre Plants. Helen also brought some wonderful tulip bulbs which have been appearing in members’ gardens this spring.
Thanks to my Barbara who identifies and books all the speakers.
Our Christmas social was as noisy and full of fun as always with a packed hall and loads to eat. We were well entertained by local girl, Jane Coles, and enjoyed “Roger’s Quiz” and the Autumn Challenge results. Needless to say, we finished with “Pass the Poinsettia” and “The Twelve Days of Christmas”
We completed our tête-à-tête Autumn Challenge, thank you for all your efforts and congratulations to the winners. We also started a Spring Challenge but to no avail. Similarly, our Summer Challenge had to be abandoned. Thanks to Sue Cragg who masterminds our “opportunities to grow” and to Lyn Davies who has her own personal challenge of identifying the winners on the night. Hopefully Sue will have new challenges for you all in the future.
2019 was an excellent year for trips, despite the weather. In May we visited Hay-on-Wye and Hergest Croft Gardens in Herefordshire on a cold but dry day. Hergest is the home of the Banks’ family and many of our group were taken on a memorable tour of Park Wood with Mrs Banks and one of her gardeners, appropriately named Rowan.
Our summer tour to south Devon followed in June. We spent four days visiting Victorian mansions, an abbey, an orchid farm and Hestercombe with its wonderful Lutyens and Jekyll garden. Also, who could ever forget Kia-Ora farm with its acres of gardens and ponds, the huge lunch and the indomitable Mary Disney? Needless to say, we also enjoyed our “down time” in the hotel and nearby inn.
Our final trip of the year took us to the Malvern Hills in October. In the morning we visited Perrycroft, a Voysey Arts & Crafts house and garden with beautiful views across the valley. After a good lunch at a hotel, we then visited Old Court Nurseries and the Picton Garden. The nursery specialises in autumn asters (Michaelmas daisies) and we were given a very warm welcome by the owners, Helen Picton and Ross Barbour, both of whom have visited us as speakers.
We had planned a full programme of day trips and a summer tour this year, all of which were fully booked. However, with everything needing to be cancelled, our treasurer Julie and I had a fascinating time at the start of “lockdown” refunding around £8,500 to our members. Thank you all for your co-operation in this and to Julie for taking the lead with the refunds.
Special thanks go to Barbara and Sue who identify, book and manage the wonderful trips and the annual tour we normally enjoy.
The club is very sound financially, ending the year with £2,912.56 in the bank plus £60 in cash floats. There are some trip refunds outstanding, once these have been cleared, the true figure is just over £2,500. Thanks to Julie for managing the accounts so professionally, her Financial Summary is attached.
Although some of the committee have been mentioned above, running Garth Gardeners is very much a team effort. The rest of the committee i.e. Ann Angle, Barbara Wells, Denise James, Helen Davey, Judy Keenor and Roger Farrance, all play their part fully. Similarly, our wider team of Bev. & John Eagle, Vince James, Linda King, Jan Thomas, Hilary Nicholas, Mark Walters, Sian Williamson and Judith & Anthony Smith are invaluable on club nights, ensuring everything runs smoothly. My thanks to them all.
In conclusion it’s difficult to know how or indeed when we will able to restart proceedings, but we will keep you posted as the situation unfolds. Until then, thank you all for your wonderful support and enthusiasm.
Bill Rodd
Garth Gardeners 