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EMSWORTH HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER
Autumn 2003 After one of the hottest and driest summers for some the ground for autumn digging. The Society has had a successful year with a good Show Day; very many thanks to the numerous members who helped. The Hut does a cracking business every Sunday morning with the help of another band of helpers, and we had some 32 members involved with the Stall at the Food Festival.-••Our monthly talks have started for the season. So read on — you will find something of interest. I hope to meet you all at our next talk, or come and support our team at the Federation Quiz. I will come to the end of my three years as Chairman next February and will be retiring from the Committee. Josette Fox, who has been our Secretary also for three years, will too be standing down. There will be at least two vacancies on the General Management Committee; if you can spare one Tuesday evening a month, and be willing to assist with the organisation of one of the biggest horticultural societies in Hampshire, 1 would be very pleased to hear from you. Don't forget to come to the Hut on 30 November, between 10 am and 12 noon, for early mince pies and mulled wine. Margaret Jay THE EMSWORTH SHOW Thanks largely to more than 150 stalwart volunteers, our annual Show was another resounding success, although some members were almost on their knees at the end of the weekend. Whether we can mount another similar successful .event for Emsworth without additional help from some of the other 450 members is another matter, and a Steering Committee is at present reviewing the ' situation. A positive response now from anyone able to offer assistance in any way would give a fillip to their discussions. The future of the Show could well be in your hands. I , Once again over 5000 adults, plus innumerable children, enjoyed perfect weather for non-stop Arena Events, a host of Stalls and Sideshows, and a spectacular array of exhibits in the giant marquee. We were again pleased to have the support of Havant BC, with the Mayor and Mayoress opening the Show, and our local MP, David Willets presenting the prizes at the close. Whilst the Arena events and the cost of the marquee, tentage and chaffs etc are a heavy 'expense, we do receive income from the stallholders, our own plant and bulb sales, the popular refreshment area, and the raffle, which with the good attendance has resulted in an estimated surplus of over £3000 which will be distributed to local good causes and activities. All the individual organisers would like to thank their own helpers and providers of plants (Marjorie Jones says these were excellent — clean pots, and labelled) and food etc, as well as local businesses for their support and sponsorship. Whilst a huge debt of gratitude is owed to everyone assisting over the weekend, special mention should be made of Margaret lay (Show Chairman), Janet Butler (Show Secretary) ,and all other organisers and members of the 30 strong Show Committee, Some of these individuals are having to step down this year, so the roles will need to be lilted if we am to carry on with the Show in its present form. Once again therefore, please contact Margaret Jay NOW, if you can help in any way. JUDGES AND STEWARDS If you have ever had an ambition to become a Judge at Horticultural Shows^ bow is the time to realise it. a good Judge's Steward at oar own Show, now is your chance. Two training sessions are being conducted by the Hampshire Federation of Horticultural Societies at Staunton Country Park in February 2004 — one for Judges and one for Stewards. For Judges the training day will be followed up by 'on the job' practical experience with Federation Judges at Horticultural Shows, if you are at all interested please contact Dennis Doye (374481) by the end of November for further information. DISTRIBUTION HOT There is never an end to 'A year in the Garden' for all the energetic members of the Society. This is especially true this year with the burst of growth during the last few weeks. The very dry weather meant a delay in such jobs as digging (too hard) and lawn feeding (too dry). Digging should now be possible and as the ground is still warm the lawn can be given a took. We have spades and forks and a good supply of our own Autumn Lawn Feed. A light dose of Rose Fertiliser will help roses combat the stresses of the Summer. Now to next Season. Seed Catalogues and Order Forms are in the Hut, remember a good early order by 30 NOVEMBER means the maximum Discount. Seed Potatoes are ordered and we have stressed early delivery. Due to dry conditions yields are down and prices up. This will be reflected in shop prices during the Winter. Book your requirements now and help the housekeeping Onion and Shallots are in stock in 50g bags. Waiter sown Broad Beans in whatever quantity you need.. We are pleased that me Bulbs have all been sold, while sympathising with the disappointed members who waited to buy. The varieties were there. The 2004 Order will include more Tulips. Crocus and Rockery type bulbs. The 2003 catalogues are in the Hut and may be borrowed. Many of the Varieties will be the same, read and give us some idea of your wishes. Our Special Mince Pie/Mulled Wine Event is on Sunday 30 November. There will be Special Offers and Bargains and new items. Whatever the weather come and join us. There are a few products that will not be available after 14 December, our last opening for 2003. At the first Sunday of the New Year yea will find we still have a full range of products — over 900 items from Ammonium Sulphate to Woodlice Killer. The Hut Team all try to supply members with what they want and in what quantity they require and answer queries and questions. Continue and increase your support for your helpful Hut. Shirley Wenman FOOD FESTIVAL As busy a girl as she is, Jan Butler also volunteered to take on the role of co-ordinating arrangements for our Stall at the Emsworth Food Festival in September. As you will know, Emsworth was almost sinking under the record number of visitors, and the majority of our popular plants and produce was sold very quickly. In addition to members who were able to retain 80% of the price of their supplies, the Society itself made a profit of over £200 as well as welcoming some new members. Our sincere thanks to Jan and the 32 members who helped with the Staff over the weekend. OUT AND ABOUT WITH ANGELA Many thanks to everyone who supported the trips programme this year. We needed a 53 seater coach for visits in April and July! The details of our short break holiday to South Wales from Friday 18 June to Monday 21 June 2004 are now completed. We stay in a 3* hotel in Llandridnod Wells, which boasts a heated swimming pool, sauna, whirlpool, steam room, and beauty salon. We visit Tretower Court Garden near Crickhowell on route. Day 2 to the National Botanic Garden of Wales which has the largest greenhouse in the world, and then to Aberglasney, the Welsh answer to the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Day 3 to the Centre for Alternative Technology which should interest all we conservation minded gardeners, then Powis Carte. Day 4 on our way home we call m to Stockton Bury Gardens in Herefordshire. The price for this cornucopia of delights is £245 which includes B.B.E.M., all entrances, coach, and a gardening guru; single room supplement £45.1 am sending out brochures to those who have already expressed an interest. Give me a ring if you haven't yet done so and would like a brochure. 76 people have already put their names down, but numbers are limited to 49, so booking is only confirmed on receipt of your £5® deposit Angela Baldry, 42 Horndean Rood, Emsworth, PO10 7PT. Tel (01243) 372253 Belgium* in the Spring The Hampshire Federation holiday next year is to Ostend from 10 to 16 May' Six nights B.B.E.M. in en-suite rooms, wine with evening meals, coach travel via Euro tunnel, day trips, insurance, gratuities, all for £395. If you are interested please phone Rosemary Sign, 01962 881015, or see the poster in the Hut. SOCIAL ACTIVITIES A collapsed ceiling at the Emsworth Centre forced us to switch fee venue to the Community Centre in October for the excellently illustrated talk on Wild Life. Members views on which of the two venues they prefer would be welcomed by Margaret Jay. We revert to the South Street Centre for our next talk on 20 November, 'A Gardeners Christmas' with Paul Patton, which will include tips on presents for Christmas, and seasonal fruits and vegetable dishes from the garden etc. With no meeting in December, the following talk will be on 15 January, by Colin Langridge — supporting the Gardeners Royal Benevolent Society — who owns Rushfields^Plant Centre, nr Henfield with a £lm p.a. turnover. In spite of the fact that there were only 6 supporters for our Quiz Team at Portsmouth, Angela Baldry, Marjorie Jones, and Paddy Naylor put on a strong performance to lose by just 2 points. For our only home tie against Purbrook, on Friday 21November, a little more support would be welcome at the Red Cross Centre, so that we are not totally eclipsed by the visitors. There will also be some excellent refreshments following the match — and you may well pick up some useful gardening information. THOSE WERE THE DAYS Many of you will recall the Society's successful Display at the Emsworth Museum following our Chelsea Flower Show Garden in 2001. Well, we have now been invited to stage another display next year to mark the Royal Horticultural Society's '200 Years Of Gardening'. We are asking any member who has pictures,, articles, memorabilia, or memories of earlier days about our Society contact Annette Wood who is co-ordinating the event. Anyone wife a flair for arranging displays would also be very welcome. Annette looks forward to your call on (01243) 378482. FREE—TO A GOOD HOME A superfluous metal greenhouse 8'x 6' is available in Emsworth to any member happy to dismantle and take away. Please contact Margaret Jay if you are interested. You are reminded that articles of a gardening nature for sate or wanted can be advertised free of charge on the Hut Notice board. Please date the cards when displaying. Additionally, articles can be advertised in the quarterly Newsletter. DATES FOR THE DIARY
Thurs 20Nov. Talk, 'A Gardeners Xmas' AND FINALLY As usual an evening 'party' was arranged for all the Show Helpers, the 'banquet' being superbly catered for and organised by some talented members of the committee; BUT we had to earn our supper by attempting to answer 100 gardening questions between courses — a Quiz devotedly compiled by Jan Butler. The first and last questions are repeated below, for which a small prize will be awarded. Your answers please on a postcard (or anything else mat comes to hand) to the Editor c/o the Hut, by 30 November. 1. Heard by Chaucer's Pilgrims? (a plant). 2 (the tie-breaker) Your best gardening tip for 2004.
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