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Past Events
Snowdrops at Colesbourne Park - 13th February 2020
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The Alderton Gardening Club's first trip of the year was to one of the great snowdrop gardens; Colesbourne Park between Cirencester and Cheltenham. This is the home of the Elwes family, who have many varieties of snowdrop named after them. The former Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire Sir Henry Elwes was walking around all day, chatting with the 450 or so people from clubs as far away as Dorset, Leicestershire and Berkshire. Freddie Elwes and his wife were the main organisers of this inaugural event, helped by volunteers, local school children and Colesbourne staff.
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Mick Poultney - Composting 13th February 2020
Our thanks this month go to our guest speaker Mr Mick Poultney "The Compost King" who came to our February meeting on Thursday the 13th; travelling to Alderton from Halesowen.
A former sailor and firefighter Mick fully lived up to his billing, and covered every aspect of the composting process with a superbly illustrated digital slide presentation. His knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject was obvious.
All in all it was a very informative evening, with Mick following on with questions after talking for 75 minutes. He even donated some composting goodies for the raffle!
Several of our audience who attended have already said that they are now taking up composting, or changing their techniques with their own bins after this presentation.
A former sailor and firefighter Mick fully lived up to his billing, and covered every aspect of the composting process with a superbly illustrated digital slide presentation. His knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject was obvious.
All in all it was a very informative evening, with Mick following on with questions after talking for 75 minutes. He even donated some composting goodies for the raffle!
Several of our audience who attended have already said that they are now taking up composting, or changing their techniques with their own bins after this presentation.
Gail Plant - Scented Gardens 9th January 2020
We were delighted that despite yet more rain and poor conditions our guest speaker Gail Plant arrived full of cheer and with a wonderful selection of fragrant winter flowers from herbaceous plants and shrubs. Gail talked about each one and shared samples amongst the audience. We were not only able to admire the look and smell of the plants but also hear how the smell was described by the experts - honey, violets, lemon, rosemary. As each persons sense of smell differs there were both positive and negative reactions around the room. Gail designs gardens with a particular interest in scented plants and winter is a season of particular interest for her.
The Christmas Social and talk by Julie Henderson 13th December 2019
The Alderton Gardening Club's annual Christmas gathering was attended this year by over 70 people. We also had the added extra of a guest speaker, Julie Henderson who came from Bristol. She gave us a fascinating talk on "The 12 plants of Christmas". Superb food was provided by our Julie Alvis and Liz Sissons, with caterers extraordinaire John & Sue Marfell doing us proud as well. Wine flowed by the gallon full. A bumper 11 prize raffle was organised by Laura Dansie, with free Holly and Mistletoe by the wheelbarrow load. There was a fantastic atmosphere in the village Hall with everyone enjoying themselves in true Christmas festive fashion. We finish 2019 with 96 members on the books, an average attendance of 65 people per meeting, two trips already organised for 2020 and a full programme of speakers booked! As Chairman I'm thrilled with this year's progress, but none of this would be possible without the help and support from our Committee, so thank you all and let's keep it going!!..
More photos on Tom Cullimore's Facebook page!
More photos on Tom Cullimore's Facebook page!
The Land Girls - Fiona Warin October 10th
This was an engaging and informative talk. Fiona took us back to 1942 and interviewed members of the audience about their suitability to enrol in the land army. She described the multiplicity of their daily tasks, and the clothing provided for the work. Sharing the memoirs from several land girls showed how proud they were to have done their bit for King & Country.
Every aspect of this crucial work on the home front was covered; from the work of lumber Jill's to the 24 hour shifts managed by the women driving and maintaining the tractors clearing and ploughing the land. The session finished with the audience singing with Fiona a women's land army song. All in all a real fun evening, with the longest round of applause yet heard for a speaker at a club meeting! Fiona does another talk entitled Dig for Victory, so we will inviting her back to Alderton again.
Every aspect of this crucial work on the home front was covered; from the work of lumber Jill's to the 24 hour shifts managed by the women driving and maintaining the tractors clearing and ploughing the land. The session finished with the audience singing with Fiona a women's land army song. All in all a real fun evening, with the longest round of applause yet heard for a speaker at a club meeting! Fiona does another talk entitled Dig for Victory, so we will inviting her back to Alderton again.
Mr Don Everitt - Autumn the Forgotten Season
With a wealth of knowledge and a range of original photographs we indulged in the plentiful season and were encouraged to plan for the future. Tips included a Facebook page about hydrangea's (HydrangeaHappiness) , sowing fresh seeds from Larkspurs and late flowering annuals and noting down good combinations to attempt to repeat them next year!
Terry Walton visits Alderton Allotments and Alderton Gardening Club - 8th August 2019
Terry visited Alderton Allotments during a balmy afternoon and met some local gardeners. Tom, our Chairman, showed him round and Mr and Mrs Walton enjoyed tea at the Gardeners Arms before Terry's talk at the village hall. The village hall was packed with over 100 people and the buzz of talk could be heard through the open windows as gardening club members and guests approached the building. We were well entertained by Terry's professional talk and anecdotes and the evening finished off with a book signing. Thank you to all who helped the Gardening Club with this event: the allotment holders, The Gardeners Arms and Corner Cottage B&B.
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Visit to Hestercombe Gardens - 6th July 2019
A beautiful day dawned and 38 members were smoothly transported to Hestercombe near Taunton. The varied from a Georgian landscape with ponds, woodland paths and arbours to the formal gardens of Gertrude Jekyll framed by architecture by Sir Edwin Lutyens. The nursery was particularly appreciated and many boxes of plants found their way to the coach for the trip home. Our Chairman was seen taking at least two armfuls of flowers - where does he put them all? Tom has some lovely photos on his Facebook site: here are a sample.
The House and formal gardens
The Orangery
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The lower lake and start of the valley walk
The Rhyl from above full of Iris and yellow mimulus.
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Thursday 13th June - George Alway - Vegetables without Tears
George Alway talked with warmth and humour about his (and his nieces) allotment experiences. He discussed the trials and tribulations of taking over a neglected allotment and the benefits of weed suppressant for new and experienced gardeners. He was generous with his hints and tips, in particular using deep root trainers for a variety of seeds in addition to sweet peas.
The Brooks Gardens - an evening with Marion Stainton
21 gardening club members were rather fortunate to enjoy a dry and clear evening at the Brooks Gardens. We were warmly welcomed by Marion and her two dogs and she conducted us on a tour of the gardens. Spring and early summer flowers were out and many flowerbeds were packed with interesting flowers. We were fascinated to see how a mature garden and orchard had sprung up in only 10 years - Marion had kept a photographic record of the early days. Tea and delicious cakes followed and some members were kindly gifted with some seed (Alliums) and others made some purchases of divided plants.
Tom has many more photos on his Facebook page - it's worth a look! |
Lovely combination of Bleeding Heart and Irises....
Marion (right) discussing the garden
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Thursday 9th May David Austin Roses A talk by Mervyn Reed
Mervyn Reed visited to tell us how David Austin Roses began, look at how they breed their new varieties and review the last 2 years releases. It was amazing to hear that in order to breed these roses over 50,000 roses are hand pollinated and labelled each year. From 250,000 seedlings growth and trials result in only 6 new varieties in 10 years time. In addition to the development of garden roses trials are now being made of cut roses, to see how they last and unfurl.
David Austin use no pesticides for whitefly, just netting and sticky tabs in the greenhouses and the services of nature in the fields.
Growers transfer buds to root stocks to create the commercial scale of roses required for mass production and sale, a process still done by hand with skill and dedication. Three years later up to 200,000 of these roses are lifted, and prepared for dispatch by post in temperature controlled sheds by this successful business.
David Austin use no pesticides for whitefly, just netting and sticky tabs in the greenhouses and the services of nature in the fields.
Growers transfer buds to root stocks to create the commercial scale of roses required for mass production and sale, a process still done by hand with skill and dedication. Three years later up to 200,000 of these roses are lifted, and prepared for dispatch by post in temperature controlled sheds by this successful business.
Tom Cullimore presenting local school parents Amy and Therese with a £100 gardening voucher to support activities at the school.
Mervyn with a picture of David Austin during the talk
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Thursday 11th April - Alderton Gardeing Club's First Birthday Meeting
Gardeners Question Time - with Reg Moule and Dominic Cotter from Radio Gloucestershire
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The Club's 1st Birthday was celebrated with this beautiful cake made by Julia Alvis, some bubbly and an entertaining Gardener's Question Time format meeting hosted by Dominic Cotter from Radio Gloucestershire. Reg Moule ‘The Godfather of Soil’ returned to celebrate with us, along with Roger Umpleby adding his advice and knowledge to answer audience questions.
When to crop potatoes, plants for dry north walls, and rhubarb were discussed and a surprise free gift of a radio Gloucester pen and excellent raffle completed the evening. Over 70 members and guests attended and the programme for the year was distributed. |
Thursday 14th March - Pruning Shrubs and their Aftercare - Duncan Coombs
Duncan Coombs was a Pershore Horticultural College lecturer from 1983 and is a passionate plantsman, plant hunter and adviser to the RHS.
He proved an entertaining and popular speaker dealing with a variety of questions about how and when to prune a large range of shrubs.
He reminded us about the 3 D's - Dead, Damaged and Diseased and brought along some tools........
Thursday 14th February 2019- Wildlife in the Garden - David Cramp
David Cramp is Chairman of the Gloucestershire Local Group of the RSPB and for five years until October 2018 a member of the RSPB Council. David shared images of the creatures found in his Alderton garden, local roads and on his allotment. His local and wider knowledge was invaluable in discussing how to make our village and gardens better homes for wildlife by embracing slugs, snails and bugs and even ants as part of our ecology. Moss in lawns can be used for nest material and ants nests provide useful food for woodpeckers. David encouraged everyone to plant more herbs to support the insects that we rely on, and even to tolerate the odd nettle patch to encourage butterflies.
Thursday 10th January 2019- A Perennial Year - Julie Ritchie
Julie Ritchie is the proprietor of Hoo House Nursery (hoohouse.co.uk) and has been growing and propagating plants using peat-free compost for many years. She maintains around 900 varieties of perennials and illustrated her talk with colourful perennials and discussed how old and new varieties suited our clay soil and can enhance your garden throughout the year.
Late summer perennials in the sale beds
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Julie Ritchie (left) discussing plant selection with a customer
Thursday 8th November - Michael Jones - Mistletoe, Fact, Myth and Legend
On Thursday 8th November we learnt about mistletoe. Dr Michael Jones expert knowledge was shared in an entertaining and informative way as he discussed the facts, myths and legends that surround this fascinating parasitic plant. Our local area has an abundance of mistletoe possibly linked to the historic apple orchards - a favourite host of the plant. Although we learnt that the UK is on the edge of the range of European mistletoe, which needs a summer temperature of 16 degrees Celsius, there are over 1000 varieties of this plant. Michael's travels had taken him to Europe and Africa to study varieties of the tropical mistletoe and to churches and towns across the UK to study stories about this plant. Tenbury Wells celebrates a mistletoe fair and the 1st December is mistletoe day - let's all celebrate this fantastic plant.
Thursday 11th October - Roger Umpelby - Bugs: the good, the bad and the ugly
Roger entertained us with a fascinating look at the bugs in our gardens. These invertebrates, mainly sucking creatures, included ladybirds, scorpion flys, wasps , beetles, aphids and many more. Illustrated with some wonderful close up photographs, some of which Roger has kindly shared with us below, we learnt about the positive role of wasps, hoverfly and lacewing larvae in controlling aphids. The range of tiny predators and the brutal world where bug eats bug was eye opening. Encouraging a variety of insects to a range of plants in the garden benefits all wildlife - so even if your fushias are getting eaten remember that it's the Elephant Hawk Moth Caterpillar that is being fed to develop into a beauty later.
All Pictures CC Roger Umpelby
All Pictures CC Roger Umpelby
Asparagus beetle larva and damage
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Bumble bee and apple flower
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Green apple aphids with ant and honeydew
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Seven spot ladybirds on blackberry
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Male scorpion fly
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Thursday 13th September - Mandy Bradshaw - Beyond the Garden Gate
On Thursday 13th September Mandy Bradshaw provided a professional and entertaining talk despite having recently broken her arm! She gave the group an excellent picture of the range of private gardens that are a hidden treasure in the Cotswolds - often only open on selected occasions. Mandy also writes for newspapers and our local magazines and illustrated her talk with some excellent photographs.
Thursday 9th August - Marion Stainton gave a talk - For the Love of Blue Poppies
On Thursday 9th August Marion Stainton gave a talk - For the Love of Blue Poppies - What have the Himalayas ever done for us? She told a fascinating tale of plant collectors in the Himalayas and the historical introduction of many very garden plants and the influence they had on styles in gardens at the time. We heard about the challenges that collectors had in those times, including being covered with leeches, and the astounding number of plants that died and were lost due to long sea journeys and lack of knowledge about the plants' requirements. Over 200 species of primulas and over 4000 species of rhododendrons originated in the Himalayas. An informative and well presented talk it reminds us of the international nature of many of our own gardens.
Tuesday 17th July - Trip to Morton Hall Gardens
Fourteen Alderton Garden Club members made the trip to Morton Hall Gardens on Tuesday 17th July. We were relieved that the weather was cloudy and noticed a cooling breeze as this late 18th century manor house is perched atop an escarpment with breathtaking views over the Vale of Evesham.
We were treated to an informative talk by Anne Olivieri and the Head Gardener. The Stroll Garden, the South Garden and the Vegetable garden - which contained as many flowers were full of interest. The novel use of clematis within the mixed flower borders through using special supports between the roses was a particularly attractive feature. We learnt that the beautiful grounds also have a magnificent display of spring Fritillaries and over five hundred tulips, tempting members to a repeat visit.
We were treated to an informative talk by Anne Olivieri and the Head Gardener. The Stroll Garden, the South Garden and the Vegetable garden - which contained as many flowers were full of interest. The novel use of clematis within the mixed flower borders through using special supports between the roses was a particularly attractive feature. We learnt that the beautiful grounds also have a magnificent display of spring Fritillaries and over five hundred tulips, tempting members to a repeat visit.
Anne Olivieri guiding us to the Japanese tea house and stroll garden
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AGC members walking round from the orchard to the rear garden
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June 2018 - Andy Pedrick - Shrubs, Perennials and climbers of interest
Andy has had a long career as a nurseryman and was trained at Pershore College. His range of shrubs, climbers and perennials proved popular and one lucky audience member received an unexpected free gift.
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10th May 2018 - Frank Hardy
On the 10th May Frank Hardy provided an entertaining and creative evening discussing focal points in the garden. Frank brought with him an array of shrubs and perennials and got the audience to really look at shapes, colours, textures, shadows and viewpoints. He established some basic principles such as thinking about evergreens for 50% of the border then thinking about colour. The audience were challenged to pick a 'star plant' and then Frank went on to build a border layout from the assortment of shrubs in the room. It was fascinating to see how he created order and complementary planting from the apparently random mix of shrubs available.
Assorted shrubs and perennials with different qualities
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Frank reviewing the final arrangement
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12th April 2018 - Reg Moule, Radio Gloucestershire's gardening expert
An evening with Reg Moule proved a popular launch for Alderton Gardening Club and attracted an audience of over 60 people. With more than 50 new members the club looks forward to a successful year. Reg entertained the audience with a talk that ranged from organic compost to lawn care and added some detail to our knowledge about the chemical composition of different fertilisers and when they are best used.
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Tom, Gardening Club Chairman, getting the meeting started.
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