Those members who gave up a romantic Valentine's evening in favour of our February meeting were well rewarded!! The subject for the evening "The Healing Garden" led the way for our speaker, Dr Gavin Haig, to delight us with wonderful slides, anecdotes and a tremendous knowledge and love of his subject. Some of the slides were of his own beautiful garden, which has been nurtured and developed over many years and hopefully, we may be able to visit later in the year. A treat in store indeed!
If readers notice a marked improvement in the calibre of roses around Hemyock later in the year, this will be down to our speaker on 14 March, Stephen Grabham from Willowbrook Nurseries. A packed room listened as Stephen told us everything we needed to know (and more) about the care and pruning of our roses. Members were able to try their hand - quite literally - at pruning different types of roses and in most cases, like the majority of us when we start pruning, were far too gentle!! After they had finished (or so they thought!) Stephen took the secateurs and reduced most of the bushes by almost as much again so we do need to be bold! As well as pruning, he dealt with all aspects of care, feeding and disease and answered numerous questions both during his talk and whilst we had tea afterwards.
By the time most of you read this we will have had our Spring Show on 31 March, which I am sure will be a great success. I am looking forward to going into the Parish Hall when all the displays have been mounted, particularly to see all the wonderful daffodils - a sure sign of Spring and one of my favourite flowers.
Christine is busily finalising our summer visits - including a trip to Dr Haig's - details in the next edition of The Pump, together with the results of trophy winners at the Spring Show.
New members are always welcome and we look forward to seeing both old and new at our next meeting on 11 April, when David Lucas from Chelston Nursery will talk about bedding plants and containers.
Judith Major (Secretary)
01823 680746
Hemyock - A Village on the Blackdown Hills
http://www.hemyock.org/article.php/2007032311552065