We have 558 members of the Gardeners' Association so far this year. This makes us quite a large society in the gardening world. Where do our members come from?
If you take a set of compasses and use Newton-le-Willows as the central point, you can trace a rough circle through Wigan in the north; Leigh in the east; Warrington and Widnes in the south and St Helens in the west. Newton-le-Willows (unsurprisingly) has the biggest representation with 258 members, Lowton next with 52; Ashton-in-Makerfield, including Garswood and Bryn has 42; Haydock has 31 and Golborne has 30. Our most remote members travel from Bolton, Atherton, Tyldesley, Whiston, Liverpool, Warwick, and New Mills in Derbyshire. We even have a member who lives in Ruislip!
Gentlemen dominate the membership! We only have 120 lady members. Most of our members are over 60 years of age - 323 of the gentlemen and 60 of the ladies.
However, as we believe that gardening helps to keep you fit and active, we would like to know how many of our members are over the age of 80! Please write to me Sandra Ferry at 26 Gorsey Brow, Billinge, Wigan, WN5 7NX or tell us next time you visit the Sales Hut.
Finally For those who haven't yet renewed their membership subscriptions for this year, this is a reminder!
FUN DAYS AND CARNIVALS
Come and see us at our stand on Saturday 28th June at St. Peter's School Fun Day and at Winwick Carnival on Saturday 19th July. . Good opportunity to renew subscriptions!
GARDENERS' ATLAS
We have a copy of the Gardeners' Atlas on display in the Hut for members to look at while they are making purchases. It lists every garden, garden centre, nursery, and garden supplier open to the public. Very useful if you are planning a day out or holiday trip!
COACH TRIP TO HARROGATE SPRING FLOWER SHOW by Bob Baynes
The coach was fairly full, (31 of us, 12 from Culcheth Horticultural Society). It came, on time, complete with driver and hostess, absolutely no expense spared, our committee are adamant nothing is too good for our members! Those amongst you who are very careful in financial matters will be relieved to know we nevertheless showed a small (very small) profit. The weather held fine until about ten past four (there is a limit even to our committee's influence) but more of that later.
I have only been to two other major garden shows but am already learning that each has its own character. Tatton seemed to me to be full of people who take gardening extremely seriously, whereas Southport seemed more free and easy, as befits a seaside location. Not quite kiss-me-quick hats but you know what I mean! Harrogate Spring Flower Show is friendly and welcoming, unaffected, with no airs and graces. The atmosphere was genial and amicable and the sunshine, taking the edge off what might otherwise have been a cool day, certainly helped this mood along.
The day, looking back on it now, is a blur of fantastic displays - stalls selling every conceivable and inconceivable garden accessory. There were also the Arts and Crafts stalls, the food stalls and the clothing suppliers. Some notable sights stood out and I can see them yet in my minds eye. The foremost is the daffodil displays. There were daffodils of every size, habit and hue well No! No blue or red ones - but I did see green, yellow, orange and brown in many different combinations and shades! You cannot look at them without struggling with an inner acquisitive urge for all of them. Then there were the bonsai. I will never enter this sphere of gardening, I simply don't have the time or the patience, but you cannot help but admire the handiwork of those that do. There were some magnificent specimens, particularly of the small acers in what does seem to be an impossibly small container with barely a couple of inches of earth in it.
There was also one memorable individual, a genuine village idiot. At each of the two woodturning stands, he asked the same question "Do you do these on a lathe then?" In the spirit of the day and to the eternal credit of the two woodturners he received a polite "Yes" in reply and not the scathing retort he so richly deserved. He probably went round asking if those bushes should be planted in the soil, whether water lilies need watering and so on.
The other outstanding memory is the food, both the catering and the food stalls. I sampled a succulent sausage baguette (normally forbidden!) whilst my wife opted for one filled with roast pork which, when I saw it, I instantly wished I'd chosen. It was sliced thickly and generously with apple sauce and my mouth waters just remembering it. The food stalls yielded ginger cake, two sorts of cheese and some low fat pork and thyme sausage, which were so good that I urge you all to sample some from JH & M Burton of Wilberfoss, York, if you ever have the opportunity. They are delicious! (Are we getting commission? Ed)
We finished the day with a cup of tea in the catering tent about four o'clock, so we were inside when rain stopped play, but by the time we had finished and made a detour through the Flower Halls, it had diminished from the original downpour to a light drizzle. Back on the coach, all around seemed to be pleasantly tired, talking quietly to neighbours of the sights of the day, and if some enjoyed a short nap, well they had earned it and no one begrudged the odd snore. Yes, an enjoyable day out and I hope there will be many more. How about joining us next time? I am sure you would enjoy it and we do try to keep costs to a minimum so prices are as low as possible.
PLANT SALES Sales of plants have gone well at the polytunnel this year, and now that all the bedding plants and basket plants have gone, we hope to continue selling perennials, and herb plants throughout the summer. If you have plants to spare, then please bring them along, we can pot them up and sell them to other members. We do get some interesting plants from time to time, so keep calling in to see what's new!
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NEWTON-LE-WILLOWS
GARDENERS'
ASSOCIATION
A big welcome, and a special greeting to all the new members who have joined the Association this year. And yes there are no books of raffle tickets enclosed with the letter this time!
Most of our prayers were answered at the AGM on the 30th of January when incredibly we managed to fill the vacant positions of General Secretary, Treasurer, and Show Secretary! Three at one go!
Jean McEvoy MBE is our new General Secretary, whilst Alistair Walton becomes Treasurer, and Ursula Siney takes over as Show Secretary. We are sorry to lose the services of our retiring Secretary Norma Gilchrist, Treasurer Bob Baynes, and Show Secretary Sandra Ferry, but happily they are all staying on the committee and Sandra is continuing as Membership Secretary.
Richard Jeacock is still our Chairman, Robin Spencer remains as Vice-Chairman, and Bill Hart as Hut Manager. Jane Davies, Heather Cartwright, and David Stott are staying on as committee members and we welcome Tony Addison as a new committee member, strengthening our representation from Lowton! Sadly Jayne Marsh, Dorrie Wilson, and Ken Smith have retired from the committee, but no doubt we will still see them from time to time at the Hut and at our various events. We are very grateful too to all the new helpers who have joined our small army of volunteers at the Sales Hut, enabling us to maintain the same opening hours this year.
Although Jean McEvoy is doing a splendid job as our new General Secretary she has indicated that due to other commitments she will be unable to carry on after this year. If anyone would like to consider joining our team to become General Secretary, then perhaps it would be a good idea to join the committee now, and find out all about the job prior to taking over next year. Anyone interested please contact Jean on 01925 220716.
Still plenty of seats left on the coach to SHREWSBURY FLOWER SHOW on Friday 15th August. The coach leaves the Blue Bell Hotel, High Street, Newton at 9.0am and picks up at the Harrow at Culcheth at about 9.10am, returning from Shrewsbury about 5.0pm. The cost is £18 and this includes coach fare and entrance to the Show. The public admission charge to the Show on the day is £12.50 so our price represents very good value, and of course you are leaving the driving to someone else.
Shrewsbury Flower Show is one of the best of our summer shows, and is now formally recognised by its inclusion in Guinness World Records as "the longest running Horticultural Show." In addition to the marquees of flowers, floral art, vegetables and fruit, there will be military bands, show jumping, country crafts, an eagle and vulture display, trade stands etc etc etc. You can book at the Hut, and a deposit of £5 per person is required on booking, with the balance to be paid about two weeks before the trip. We don't want to have to collect money on the day!
NEWSLETTERS
The newsletters can also be found on our web site, and our web master wondered if there were any members who would be prepared to access them this way rather than receive a hard copy. This would obviously help to keep our expenses down, and those participating would receive an email advice at publication time inviting them to look at the web site. Members on the internet may also if they wish receive email advices from the Gardeners' Association from time to time with reminders about forthcoming events, special offers etc. If you are interested in this please let us know at the Sales Hut or contact inimeg29@netscape.net
SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2003
GRAND FLOWER & VEGETABLE SHOW 2003
The 2003 Grand Flower & Vegetable Show will be held at St. Aelred's Technology College in Birley Street, Newton, on Saturday 13th September
We have classes for Flowers, Vegetables, Fruit, Pot Plants, Floral Art, Cookery, Photography, and Childrens exhibits, something for everyone! There will also be plant stalls, spring bulbs for sale, a bookstall, a tombola, and of course the inevitable raffle! Light refreshments will be available too.
This year we will be presenting for the first time the Gordon Brooks Trophy to the exhibitor gaining the highest total number of points in the Show. Many of you will remember Gordon, who started his showing career at Newton, and became one of the most successful exhibitors in the North West. His speciality was always roses but he progressed to be an expert grower of dahlias and many other flowers, winning first prizes at all the local Shows for many, many years until his untimely death in 1999.
Copies of the Show Schedule are being sent out to previous exhibitors, but if you have not entered before and you would like a schedule then please ring our Show Secretary Ursula Siney on 01942 274584, or pick up a copy from the Hut or from Newton Library. The schedule is also available on line at our web site www.nlwgardeners.homestead.com
As soon as judging has been completed on the day, the doors are open to the public from 2.00pm to 5.00pm, but don't leave it too late, as the prize giving ceremony will be held at 4.30pm followed by the auction of produce.
It costs a lot of money to stage our Flower Shows, and we welcome sponsorship! If you would like to sponsor a class or classes in the Show, a donation of £3.20 will usually cover the prize money for one class. You can sponsor in your own name or in memory of a loved one and for each sponsored class a certificate will be placed on the show benches. We also need as many tombola prizes as possible, also plants and books to sell. Support in past years has been terrific so if you would like to help again, then please bring your prizes, plants and books along to the Hut they will be very gratefully received.
If any members would like to help us set up the tables for the Show on Friday evening 12th September at 5.30pm at St. Aelred's, and after the Show on Saturday to return the tables to the classrooms, then you will all be very welcome.
Please do your best to enter something in the Show it is only 10p for each entry, and free for over 60s and children! If you can't pluck up enough courage to enter, then at least come along and see the Show, and we don't want to hear you mutter while looking at the exhibits "I've got better than that in my garden at home!" And don't forget please bring your tombola prizes, plants, books, etc. to the Hut!
ROB LANE ALLOTMENTS ASSOCIATION
The merger between our two Associations and associated changes to the constitution were agreed at the AGM on 30th January. After a merger the Allotments Committee would continue the work of administering the Rob Lane site on behalf of St. Helens Council, as a sub-committee of the Gardeners' Association, instead of as a separate body. The final decision rests with St. Helens Council, and nine months after the proposal was first put to the Council, we are still awaiting a response.
PROJECT UPDATE
.Our project to replace the Hut with a new, more secure building with better facilities is making slow progress. The feasibility study by the Community Technical Services Agency (COMTECHSA) Ltd is complete, and we now
have a plan for a new building with full costings. The next stage is to prepare a case for funding, with the National Lottery Community Fund in mind.
CROSSWORD
The latest Crossword Puzzle is now available at the Hut and on the web site. Our crossword compiler has been asked to produce easier puzzles as some of our members can't do them! This one is so easy that even our Chairman has been able to complete it!
Our programme so far this year has met with mixed fortunes. Following a very successful talk on wildlife in February by Colin Davies of the St. Helens Wildlife Recording Group, and a successful but not very well attended Gardeners Question Time in March, the talk on Alpines on the 1st of May had to be re-arranged at short notice when the speaker pulled out three days before the event. Fortunately we were able to engage the services of Brian Barnes from Southport, who showed us some excellent colour slides of alpine plants during his talk entitled "Plant Hunting in the High Sierras."
PROGRAMME
The talk on herbs on 22nd May had to be put back to June because the speaker was still recovering from a recent operation, and on this occasion we were "rescued" by Don Sutcliffe from Whiston who entertained us with a slide show of Keukenhoff Gardens, Bressingham Gardens, and other interesting places.
Now the herb lecture, re-arranged for 26th June has had to be cancelled altogether, and we are very grateful to Frank Marsden of St. Helens Ramblers who has agreed to give an illustrated talk entitled "Walking the Sankey Valley at all Seasons." Frank will show slides of the whole route of the walk from St. Helens to Spike Island at Widnes, and include places of historical interest, and also describe some of the wildlife and wild flowers to be seen along the way. We have advertised this event which has been arranged at very short notice, fairly widely, so if you do not receive this letter in time hopefully you may get to hear about the talk. We do rely on voluntary help to deliver most of the letters, and it does take a couple of weeks or so to get them all out, so if you miss the talk, we apologise and perhaps Frank will pay us another visit some time in the future.
