Another example of a subject suggested by a Member resulted in a very productive, interesting and informative ‘Fungus Forage’ in Marford and Gresford Quarries.

If you know someone with an interesting talk, preferably related to gardening, or you can suggest a subject of interest, don’t keep quiet and then complain – LET US KNOW!
 
Already this year we have had a fascinating talk from Ken Dear of the Chrysanthemum Society and Carol Madden gave us ‘Seed for thought’.

Our Guest Speaker in February was the ever popular Bob Flowerdew, who entertained us at a Cheese and Wine Evening with his ‘No Work Gardening’ and in April we had a visit from Paul Quigley, who is the Walled Garden Officer at Norton Priory. His inspiring talk took us through 900 years of the Priory’s History including details of the varied Flora and Fauna found on site, together with a brand new Museum. We are planning to organise a trip there early in 2018. Don’t miss it!
 
Our Annual Dinner was held at the Golden Lion in Rossett. Instead of a formal meal we had a buffet style meal which proved very popular, and very tasty.
 
Just around the corner, on Saturday 17^th June 2017, we have our Annual Plant Sale and Show at a brand new location. We will be at St. Peter’s School, Chapel Lane, Rossett from 2pm to 4pm. In addition to the sale of top quality plants there will be the opportunity for you to enter the various competition classes (including children’s classes). We have also booked St. Peter’s School Choir to sing for your entertainment. However, we still need your assistance to provide plants and flowers for sale. If you are propagating or splitting your plants at this time of year just put any excess in pots and bring them along. The proceeds from these sales help us to put on our Main Show on 26^th August.
 
We have our Main Show on 26^th August 2017, in conjunction with the Rossett Festival, at Darland School. The Schedules will be sent out in plenty of time for you to decide which categories you are going to enter.
 
Still to come are talks on ‘Hardy, Unusual but Obtainable Plants’, ‘A Different Approach to Garden Pests’, and ‘Climbing and Wall Plants’ among other subjects.
 

This year one of our Sponsors, ’Just Seed’ supplied Members at the AGM with Giant Pumpkin Seeds to plant now for the August Show. We are hoping to be overwhelmed by Giant Pumpkins.

On a less than positive note, the trips we organised through Diamond Holidays to the RHS Show at Chatsworth House on 9^th - 10^th June and the five-day Trip to the Gardens of Dorset and Somerset on 3^rd – 7^th August had to be cancelled when Diamond Holidays ceased trading. Fortunately, deposits only had been paid, and claims are being made through ABTA.

We have also succeeded in organising a replacement trip to The RHS at Chatsworth on 11^th – 12^th June 2017 and, due to cancellations, we still have limited space in twin or double rooms. Please get in touch if you're interested in going.
 
Again, if you have any ideas for a trip or event, LET US KNOW! We cannot guarantee it will happen but we need your ideas.
 
What are you doing in your garden? This strange weather is causing havoc in ours. During the initial warm spell Carolyn had some lovely Camellias in full bloom and the frost got them all. My Broad Beans, Onions and Garlic, planted before Christmas, are doing well and I have found a plant called ‘Summer Savoury’. It is similar to ‘Winter Savoury’ and can be used in cooking but it can also be planted between the rows of Broad Beans and is reputed to help prevent Blackfly, a regular nuisance. Another preventative measure is to pinch out the growing tips of the beans when the plants get to about 3ft high.  Not to everyone’s taste but I love them with a meal.

Click here to see (and download) the Schedule for the June Plant Sale and Show. I hope to see you there, or at one of our other events soon.
 
Yours enthusiastically,
 
Bob Bates
General Secretary