meets at Ruspidge Memorial Hall GL14 3AE, on the third Tuesday of every month (unless otherwise specified) at 7.15pm - 9.15pm.
Annual membership - £12.00 or £2.00 per meeting, pay as you go
Raffle and refreshments at every meeting
Club Events for 20223
Tuesday 21st November Marion Stainton will give a talk entitled ‘Murder, Magic and Plant Potions’. You will never view your garden in the same way! Usual time of 7:15pm for 7:30pm start. There will be no tea or coffee provided but please feel free to bring your own ready made.
Please let Sally know by Monday 20th November if you would like to go on the gin tour on Thursday 23rd November. All payments to be made by Tuesday 21st. If you are not able to go to this months meeting and are going on the gin tour the directions are - go to Winner Garage Skoda, there will be 'orange' arrows signposted for parking and entrance to Woodside Distillery. Please arrive by 7:30pm.
Change of date for your diary/calendar, next months meeting is on the earlier date of Tuesday 12th December. Club will provide alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks but we are asking you to bring along buffet style (Christmas) food. More details to follow next month.
May 2022
July 2022
URGENT! The visit planned for July 19th has been cancelled due the weather. The owner, Sue Ems, has made the decision to close the garden because the hot weather is damaging many of her plants, causing them "go over" early.
There will be no Gardening Club meeting in July.
RUSPIDGE GARDENING CLUB
Plant Sale
At RUSPIDGE MEMORIAL HALL
Saturday 7th May 2022
2.00p.m. – 4.00p.m.
Plants, Raffle, Drinks & Homemade Cakes Entrance Free!
www.ruspidgegardeningclub.net
March 2022
Last months talk by Lisa, followed by our seed swap was enjoyed by all.
This months talk on Tuesday 15th March is ‘The Birds and Bees’ by Nathalie Mignotte of the Fairview Gardener in Birdwood. The talk is on how to attract wildlife into your garden and create a haven for insects, birds and small mammals whilst retaining the beauty of plants. Nathalie will also give tips on propagation. There may be a few plants for sale.
The Club Plant Sale is coming up on Saturday 7th May, please sow a few extra seeds and strike a few extra cuttings in order to generate plants to sell
February 2022
This months meeting on Tuesday 15th February will be a seed swap and talk about what seeds to sow and when. If you have any seeds to swap please bring them along. Alternatively if you don’t have any seeds there will be plenty for you to take home. Paper bags will be available for you to put a few seeds in if you don’t want a whole pack. Pens and pencils will also be available for you to label your packs. If you have any empty containers (from buying such things as mushrooms, tomatoes, yoghurts etc) please bring them along as you will have the opportunity if you wish to plant seeds at the meeting. A demo will be given. Also, there will be a short talk on planting seeds and a Q&A session.
January 2022
John, the head brewer from The Bespoke Brewery in Littledean (and coincidentally Mayor of Ross on Wye) will speak at this months meeting on Tuesday 18th January. Tastings will be available so please bring along a small gl ass if you wish to partake. Also, gift packs and extra beers will be on sale. You are welcome to invite a spouse, friend, relative. There will be the usual charge of £2 per visitor.
As there is no ventilation in the hall and it’s too cold to have the doors open it has been decided that masks need to be worn at all times unless you have an exemption. If it becomes necessary (increase in Covid numbers, Government guidelines) to have the doors open please wear layers and be prepared to keep warm. Please bring along a hot drink in a travel mug or similar if you would like one. The raffle will run the same as last month. Pay for a raffle ticket at the start of the meeting when you sign in. Sarah and Lou will draw a ticket and stick it on a prize. On the way out please have your raffle ticket ready, check if you have won and pick up your prize if you have. This proved the most efficient and safest way at the December meeting.
Programme of Club events 2021
Christmas 2021
Wendy's Potpourri demonstration
What is Potpourri?
It’s been around since ancient times! In fact, you might remember a dusty (likely ancient) bowl of potpourri in your grandmother’s bathroom, if you’re anything like me!
The word “potpourri” translates from the French word pot-pourri, which might have come from words for “stew” and “pot” quite literally.
Potpourri is a blend of dried, naturally fragrant plant materials. When blended and enhanced, they provide a gentle scent in your home in a more natural way.
Why You’ll Love this Homemade Potpourri
· So easy to make
· Natural ingredients
· Great alternative to synthetic scents and room sprays
· Doubles as both fragrance and decor
· Perfect for gifting
Fresh Potpourri
Recipe
1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries OR 1/2 cup dried cranberries
2-3 cinnamon s ticks crushed
1-2 star anise optional
2 teaspoons whole cloves
1 fresh pine or 1 sprig rosemary
1 cup Satsuma or tangerine
Ingredients
· Apples Fresh in round slices! Any of your favourite variety will do.
· Oranges Fresh, sliced in rounds. The large variety or the mandarin/tangerine variety
· Cinnamon Cinnamon sticks are beautiful, long lasting and hold scent exceptionally well.
· Cloves This is the one spice that sings all things holidays to me. Keep a jar on hand for all your holiday recipes.
· Star Anise I really like the sweet, liquorice scent of star anise, especially during the holidays. The whole stars make a beautiful presentation for the potpourri gift, too!
· Cranberries Fresh Cranberries look spectacular in a gift bag or jar a truly seasonal addition.
Variations
· Try pretty dried orange peels for an added decorative element.
· Add dried flowers (whole or petals) for another pretty touch.
· Want it to be a little stronger? Add a few drops of your favourite essential oil.
· To make a truly Christmas potpourri, try adding touches of dried cranberries and pine cones.
How To Make Dried Oranges or Apples
· Preheat oven to 120°C (250°F) degrees.
· Slice the apples and oranges.
· Place on baking sheets and bake.
· Once dry, blend with remaining ingredients.
· Place inside a jar or bag for gifting.
Homemade Potpourri Tips
· Use a mandolin to slice the fresh fruit for the best thin and even slices.
· Placing the sliced fruit in a single layer ensures the slices will dry evenly. Use two baking sheets, if needed.
· Apples will continue to crisp once they’re removed from the oven. Oranges will stay about the same texture.
Allow the flavours to mix together for up to 3 days before gifting.
Instructions
Combine all the ingredients in a fabric or cellophane bag or glass jar. Decorate as desired.
If using fresh cranberries and oranges gift the potpourri within 2-3 days of making and keep stored in the fridge. If you use all dried fruits, the potpourri can be stored at room temperature for up to a month.
To make the Potpourri, add the contents of your bag (or jar) to a medium size pot. Add water until it comes 3/4 the way up the pot. Simmer on the stove over low heat, adding water every so often to keep it from drying up. Alternatively pop in your slow cooker and it will last for hours.
Dried Potpourri
Things to consider when making potpourri
Time of year
It may sound obvious but a Christmas potpourri for your hall or lounge may be very different to a winter bedroom potpourri in smell, colour and ingredients.
Placement
Hall, lounge, bedroom or bathroom
Colour
As a Christmas example, you can decorate your potpourri to match your other decorations or leave it completely natural
Texture
Think about what will be interesting to look at. Are you using your potpourri just for the pleasant scent or for example with candles?
Smell
Our summer potpourri could have a lovely smell of summer flowers such as roses, or you could have a bathroom potpourri with pine, lemon or honeysuckle
Ingredients
· It is possible to use all kinds of ingredients such as:
· Fir cones
· Pebbles
· Tree bark
· Dried fruit peel or segments
· Flower petals
· Seed heads
· Nuts
· Pine sprigs
· Cinnamon
To name but a few
Have fun, experiment with your ingredients and chose the ingredients you like the most. There is no right or wrong, just personal preferences.
Merry Christmas to you all, see you next year.
Tuesday 14th September 7.00 pm Ruspidge Memorial Hall
Club AGM followed at 7.30 pm by "The Curious History of Vegetables", an illustrated talk by Bill Laws.
Tuesday 20th July 7-15pm Ruspidge Memorial Hall
Paul Green from Greens Leaves Nursery for Specialist and Rare Plants. His talk is entitled "Shade, Damp, Dry, a Plant for Every Situation". Paul will also have plants for sale.
Appropriate Covid regulations will be in force.
Saturday May 8th 2pm to 5pm - The Old Corn Mill, Ross-on-Wye, HR9 7LW. Mrs Jill Hunter is opening her garden especially for Club members, their friends and relatives. There is a trail for children, therapeutic open spaces and plenty of parking. More information on ngs.org.uk the National Garden Scheme website. No need to book,cost £5.00 per person, to include a drink and cake. Children Free, but will have to pay for refreshments. Contact Sally if you would like to go.
Programme of club events 2019/2020
February 12th, 2020
Julie Ritchie ~ Plants for Awkward Corners
Ideas for those tricky spots in the garden, from pond side to dry shade.
March 11th, 2020
Andy Pedrick ~ What's in Compost
Compost it’s composition, how to make your own, and advice on which to use. Andy has been a professional gardener for many years, and will answer questions on propagation, giving many helpful tips.
April 8th, 2020
Bill Laws ~ The Curious History of Vegetables
Bill is an entertaining speaker and author of a best-selling book.
From guinea fowls to G.M. seeds, and from aphrodisiacs to naked allotment holders, no stone is left unturned
May 14th, 2020
Successes and Failures
Advice from our own gardeners, and preparation for the Plant Sale
Saturday May 16th, 2020
Annual Plant Sale
June 10th, 2020
Visit to Local Gardens
We are most grateful to these gardeners for sharing their gardens with us. They are each stunning, reflecting the passionate interests of their owners
July 8th, 2020
TBC
August 12th, 2020
TBC
-------------------------------
September 2019
AGM
October 9th, 2019
Chris Wedge ~ Natural England
His topic will encompass orchards which are his speciality, and the wildlife of this environment. Also Pat from Jolter Cider will be popping in to update us on the progress of finding the Forest Styre.
November 13th, 2019
David Cropp ~ Allotted Time
Allotment Gardening
December 11th, 2019
Christmas Crafts & Christmas Cheer
January 8th, 2020
Allan Wells ~ A Sting in the Tail
Programme of club events 2018/2019
December 12th 2018
Back by popular demand-
Making Christmas Decorations with Jackie Beard
Bring along greenery, seed heads , berries,
ribbons and baubles to make a beautiful wreath, swag or table decoration to decorate your home for christmas. Jackie will give guidance on how to assemble a decoration but do bring along a pair of secateurs and gloves.
After the crafting is complete, join us for festive nibbles and drinks to continue the seasonal celebrations
Saturday March 30th, 2019
10am - 1pm
Community Garden Sow and Grow
Sowing and Growing for the Community Garden in Ruspidge Park
We are adding more containers to the ones we put in last year, with a view to filling them with lovely bee friendly plants sometime in May. Everything is provided, including tools. We will also have compost, pots and seeds in the hall for children should they wish to do a little sowing
The speakers Sue Smith and Sue Dodd are 20 year veterans in giving talks to gardening clubs and they are well known and respected throughout the Gloucestershire circuit. Both ladies are passionate advocates of gardening to encourage wildlife and Sue Smith’s husband has recorded 600 species of moths in their garden.
TEST planting various seeds in them, or cuttings from trailing plants. Eg nepeta or creeping Jenny.
LABEL and check plants for sale, assembling as many as possible in or outside Lower hall.
Saturday May 11th, 2019
Plant Sale
10.30am - 12.30pm
Our annual Plant Sale will be at the hall. Please come along and join us for this lovely community event.
Maybe pick up a bargain or just come
and have a cup of tea and a slice of cake!? There will be plants for sale, refreshments, cakes, and a raffle. We hope to see you there!
Programme of club events 2017/2018
Please bring along your preserves made from fruits, vegetables or fungi from your gardens (or even other people’s gardens) or from hedgerow forages to spread information about your favourite preserves and their flavours, textures and good methods of making them.
Especially welcome will be products with elusive and difficult to identify flavours so that members can have fun in trying to identify the hidden ingredients.
If you are bringing a preserve, please e-mail Sally Graham so that she knows how many items to expect for the evening.
Jackie Beard
Decorating for Christmas!
Make a Christmas Swag/Garland or Table Decoration
also
our favourite quizmasters Lisa & Woody return with our ever popular Christmas Quiz
So don't miss out, come and join us for
refreshments, Christmas nibbles,
and be there to celebrate with the rest of the gang :)
- Pack seeds in small quantities
- Place in paper bags or envelopes
- Label adequately and clearly with the name of the seeds and any other information which will be useful for the new owner of the seeds e.g. size, type of plant, possible date of expiry or date of gathering from your garden.
Happy New Year! Look forward to seeing you.
Saturday 10th March
Community Sow and Grow
10.30 -12.30
This is a free event, everyone is welcome…
children and adults!
Choose from a variety of vegetables and flower seeds to plant, with the seeds, compost, and containers provided free.
Ruspidge Memorial Hall GL14 3AE
Saturday May 12th, 2018
Plant Sale
10.30am -12.30pm
It's time again for our annual Plant Sale at the hall. This is a lovely community event so please come along and join us. Maybe pick up a bargain or just come and have a cup of tea and a slice of cake? There will be plants for sale, refreshments and cakes, a raffle, book sale and gardeners' question table! We hope to see you there!
Programme of club events 2016/2017 September 14th, 2016 AGM plus Speaker ~ Pam Sheppard Drugs in your Garden (with examples) Our member Pam is a retired pharmacist, knowledgeable botanist and gardener, with a keen interest in the use of plants as drugs.
October 12th, 2016 Speaker ~ Jerry Green of Westbury Court Gardens 'How to choose and plant an apple tree' Members can please bring in apples they like or dislike to compare with Jerry's choices
November 9th, 2016 Speaker ~ Chris Evans of Dundry Nurseries also The Butterfly Garden Project www.dundrynurseries.co.uk
December 14th, 2016 Christmas Social Evening Make a Christmas Swag/Garland with Jackie Beard 
also our favourite quizmaster returns Woody returns with our ever popular Christmas Quiz
So don't miss out, come and join us for some Christmas fare, refreshments, and be there to celebrate with the rest of the gang :)
January 11th, 2017 Speaker ~ Mike Ayland 'Following the Wye Valley Railway'
February 8th, 2017 Speaker ~ Jo Ward-Ellison 'Creating a Country Garden'
Jo Ward-Ellison is an award winning garden designer  and works locally as a gardener and garden designer. She has a particular interest in herbaceous perennials and grasses. Her approach to gardening is naturalistic and she creates gardens which are good for wildlife and which are low maintenance. She will talk to the club on ‘Creating a country garden’ which will reflect her interest in perennials and grasses. Jo Ward-Ellison Gardenswww.ward-ellison.com
March 8th, 2017 Speaker ~ Paul Green of Green Leaves Nursery, Newent A practical, "hands-on" talk showing a diverse range of  plants (including details about scented and butterfly plants) Greens Leaves started supplying plants back in 1994 and rather than emulate many other nurseries already in existence, decided to specialise in rare and unusual plants from around the world, suitable for growing in the UK. They are a specialist plant nursery supplying a wide selection of choice plants, all grown in their Gloucestershire nursery. They also attend a number of specialist fairs and shows throughout the UK where a selected range of plants are on view and available for sale. www.greensleavesnursery.co.uk
April 12th, 2017 Speaker ~ Andy Pedrick Andy spoke to the club at a previous meeting about propagation but this time he will focus on propagating plants we can sell at the May plant sale, and he will bring examples for us to grow. He will also bring some of his own plants to sell to club members.
For this meeting, please bring plants, seedlings and any other material you would like to propagate or thin out, either for yourself or for the sale, and at approximately 8.30p.m.the more experienced members will help out with a practical session. Hazel will bring some easy seeds to grow and Judy and Lisa will help. Andy has promised to help with any awkward problems as he has vast experience in the horticultural business.
Come and have an informal, practical session and bring along any materials as long as they involve propagation! Materials, such as compost, pots and trays will be available. Members can help themselves to drinks at anytime in the practical session
May 10th, 2017 Preparation for Plant Sale Short talk from Lisa ~ How to look after our soil Question & Answer Session
May 13th, 2017 (Saturday) 10.30am - 12.30pm Plant Sale Ruspidge Memorial hall
It's time again for our annual Plant Sale at the hall. This is a lovely community event so please come along and join us. Maybe pick up a bargain or just come and have a cup of tea and a slice of cake? There will be plants for sale, refreshments and cakes, a raffle, book sale and gardeners' question table! We hope to see you there!
 June 14th, 2017 Simon Glover Forest Butterfly Conservation Officer Butterfly Conservation (Gloucestershire branch) Wednesday 14th June 2017 Butterfly walk CANCELLED Meet at the hall as usual at 7.30pm
Simon is especially interested in the Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary
July 12th, 2017 Garden visit The Meeting House, Flaxley Chris and Sally Parsons at the Meeting House, Popes Hill, have 27 acres of land, which includes 3 Meadows, two with fruit trees, and one with three friendly cows. They also have beautiful gardens, and there are fruit and vegetable areas as well as large scale composting. Chris is passionate about the benefits of meadows, and has even offered to sickle cut ours, if we decide to have one.
August 9th, 2017 Garden Visit The Gables, at Broadoak This is at the home of Brian and Christine Bamber. The Garden was established 11 yrs ago from blank canvas. It is a large flat garden with formal lawns, colourful herbaceous borders, shrubberies and long border with mini stumpery. It includes a wild flower meadow incorporating soft fruits and fruit trees, an allotment-size productive vegetable plot, greenhouse and composting area. Meet at the hall at 7.00pm and share cars as for the previous meeting. It would be appreciated if you would let Sally Graham know by Monday 7th August if you will be going to the garden as the owners need an approximate number of people attending (sallymg@live.co.uk ).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- Programme of club events 2015/2016 September 9th 2015: Speaker ~ Adrian James ~ 'Hidden Gardens of Cornwall' October 14th 2015: Speaker ~ William Scott ~ 'Restoration of a Walled Garden' November 11th 2015: Foody social evening - Quiz, Chutneys, Preserves and Apples etc. Please bring in any nibbles you like, bread, preserves, apple cake, etc. Auction of any spares. Practical Social Evening - Make a Wreath or Table Decoration Choose to make a Christmas wreath £2, or a table decoration £1, refreshments provided.
January 13th, 2016 Seasonal Soup Tasting Accompanied by a quiz from our favourite quizmaster Woody
February 10th, 2016 Speaker ~ Sarah Sawyer Sarah is coming to tell us about the projects she is involved with in the Wye Valley. Sarah is Community Links Officer from Wye Valley AONB, also formerly worked at Bristol Botanic Garden, Highgrove and the RSPB, so have your questions ready!
March 9th, 2016 Speaker ~ Mark Moir of Newent Plant Centre Scented Plants and Spring Colour
April 13th, 2016 Speaker ~ Max Wilson of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust Mark will be giving us the buzz about bumblebees! Max is a local volunteer for the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. He will be giving us an introduction to the UK' s most effective pollinators. Their species, life cycle, enormous contribution and the worrying threats to their survival which will affect us all, and what each one of us can do to help preserve them.
May 11th, 2016 Preparations for Plant Sale Our own gardeners' question time.
May 14th (Saturday) PLANT SALE at Ruspidge Memorial Hall 10am - 1pm It's time again for our annual Plant Sale at the hall. This is a lovely community event so please come along and join us. Maybe pick up a bargain or just come and have a cup of tea and a slice of cake? There will be plants for sale, refreshments and cakes, a raffle, book sale and gardeners' question table! We hope to see you there!
June 8th, 2016 Garden visits to:~ Ruspidge & The Ruffit Meet at the hall at 6.30 for 2 garden visits, one in Ruspidge and one at the Ruffit. In Ruspidge the garden we are visiting is a charming cottage garden, bordering the woods. As well as being the most picturesque cottage garden, it has additional areas, like rooms of a house, adding delightful dimensions and harmonising with the adjoining woodland. In contrast our other visit, near the top of the Ruffitt, has a garden majoring on vegetables enriched with green manure. This pristine garden feeds their extended family throughout the year. They are firm believers of good husbandry. As well as spectacular views over the Severn Valley we will see an innovative garden, and be privileged to learn from it's owner. There are also delightful shrub and flower borders. Back to the hall afterwards for Pimms and Scones
July 13th, 2016 Speaker ~ Sally Twyman Combination Planting
August 10th, 2016 Garden Visit to Barn House Owner Kate Patel
 The garden at Barn House is located on a secluded hillside above the beautiful Wye Valley. Surrounded by meadows and woodland, it’s an inspiring place to create a garden.The acre garden is divided into two, with the house sitting at the bottom of what was a rocky slope. On the other hand, the site is south facing and catches the valley winds which makes it ideal for growing ornamental grasses. http://thegardenbarnhouse.com -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Programme of club events 2014/2015
September 10th, 2014 Cheese & Wine Evening Pete Graham ~ Winemaking
October 8th, 2014 Speaker ~ Duncan Jackson Presentation on Permaculture
November 12th, 2014 Speaker ~ Roger Keyes *Also this night book sale
December 10th, 2014 Christmas Quiz night and Buffet Quiz night & Social Evening, mulled wine and Christmas nibbles After something a bit different last year, a return to our much enjoyed Christmas quiz hosted by Woody, and with homemade mulled wine provided by Pete. How could you refuse?
January 14th, 2015 Speaker ~ Julie Ritchie The Perennial Year The Nursery says: ‘Hoo House Nursery has been offering perennials and alpines for more than 25 years. We grow and propagate as many of our own plants as possible and for the last 8 years have been using peat-free compost. We maintain a list of about 900 varieties which although not all available at one time, we aim to have the majority of them on offer around the beginning of May. We pride ourselves on having a good range of plants for every garden situation and can offer advice and suggestions for anyone in need of a little inspiration.’ *Also this night Bring and Buy Sale
February 11th, 2015 Speaker ~ Belinda Legge 'A Gardener view of Australia' Brenda former member of the Pludds Gardening Society shares her visits to gardens in Australia.
March 11th, 2015 Speaker ~ Andy Pedricks 'Hands on propagation'
April 8th, 2015 Speaker ~ Paul Moir Painswick Rococco Garden 'The History and Restoration of an 18th Century Regency Playground'
May 9th, 2015 Plant Sale Ruspidge Memorial Hall Plants, cakes, raffle and refreshments! Come along and join in the fun, pick up a bargain or come and have a cup of tea and a bit of cake?
May 13th, 2015 Speakers ~ Sue Smith/ Sue Dodd Wildflowers of the Cotswolds Myths, remedies and Legends
June 10th, 2015 Garden visit ~ Composting at Lisa's Lisa dishes the dirt on the good stuff!
July 8th, 2015 Garden visit ~ Two NGS gardens in Longhope Refreshments included
August 12th, 2015 Trials and Triumphs AGM/Social Evening and Pimms Tell us about what you have been up to in the garden, successes, failures, anything you want to tell us about or show us. If you have any gardening questions, email them to us in advance so we can put it to 'the panel'.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Programme of club events 2013/2014 September 11th, 2013 Members group meeting Membership renewals Bulb sales
October 9th, 2013 Speaker: Fiona Warin 'Lost the Plot' A humorous talk about allotments and tips for our gardens
November 13th, 2013 Severn Cider, Awre Talk with cider samples and food ideas
December 11th, 2013 Sadie Kilby Wreath making demonstration Come along have a go at making your own wreath, and then why not enter it in to the competition before you take it home? Please bring some greenery for making your wreath if possible, or anything you would like to decorate it with.
December 14th, 2013 (Saturday) Christmas Dinner Meal The White Hart, Ruspidge 7.30pm Three course meal plus coffee and mince pies. Entertainment. £20 per head. Book with a deposit now, pay the balance in November.
January 8th, 2014 January Social Evening with Soup and Roll supper We will be having a Quiz devised specially for us by our member and plant knowledge expert Judy! New* Small 'Bring and Buy Sale'
February 12th, 2014 Speaker: Bob Train 'Learn how to get more from your camera' Bob has 30 years of award winning experience and will share with us how to: Photograph your garden Capture special moments easily Compose stunning shots with confidence Understand your camera programes. So bring along your camera for advice from Bob. You might find a feature you didn't know about!
March 12th, 2014 Speaker: Dr Ferguson 'Growing and storing vegetables' Dr Keith Ferguson trained as a professional botanist, and after working in the USA for a time, he then spent 29 years at Kew before retiring to Gloucestershire and creating a new garden in Longhope. A keen and widely travelled plantsman who gives talks to many garden clubs and societies around the country.
April 9th, 2014 Speaker: John Fitzpatrick Editor of the Alpine Garden Society publication and was part of the gold winning team at Chelsea last year.
May 10th, 2014 Plant Sale Ruspidge Memorial Hall 10am - 1pm Plants, Raffle, Refreshments and Cake! Why not come along and join in the fun. Pick up a bargain or come and have a cup of tea and a bit of cake? To learn some more about us come to the club stand.
May 14th, 2014 Speaker: Gail Plant "A scented garden year" Gail Plant of Mrs Plant's Herbs in Much Marcle, a sensory, scented, and bee friendly garden designer and plantswoman.
June 11th, 2014 Speaker: Rebecca Hoyland Blakeney Hill Growers We met Rebecca at the Community Grant Awards ceremony where Blakeney Hill Growers received a grant to help with the bee-keeping side of their garden. She has agreed to come and tell us a bit more about the community gardens at Blakeney Hill. From their website - 'Everything we do holds to our core values of sustainable and wildlife friendly growing. We want to add to the bio diversity and care for the environment and wildlife as well as produce healthy food and have places to relax. Sustainable Food Production and Recreation with Fewer Food Miles We’re using part of our land to house goats, bees and chickens as well as space for a community vegetable plot, garden and orchard. We’re producing a range of food products from goats milk, eggs, fruit and vegetables, and honey.'
July 9th, 2014 Garden visit: Visit to Blakeney Hill Growers following on from our previous meeting to see the community gardens. Cost is £2 per person Travel arrangements: Meet at the Hall at 7 pm (car share as usual ) Directions: Follow the road from Ruspidge through Soudley, just before you reach Blakeney turn right( signposted Blakeney Hill). Where the lane widens please park here and walk up the hill to the "garden". The less able will be able to go right up to the entrance, but parking will be difficult.
August 13th, 2014 AGM and Fruit Punch Evening Official business out the way as soon as possible hopefully. A bit of a social afterwards, fruit punch and nibbles. Share with us any hints or tips you might have, what worked for, what didn't? What do wish you had grown?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Programme of club events 2012/2013
September 12th, 2012 Members group meeting Membership renewals Sweet potato trials
October 7th, 2012 Mass bulb planting Ruspidge Park 2pm
October 10th, 2012 Speaker: Catherine Williams 'How to make the most of your garden'
November 14th, 2012 Winter tool maintenance and tool sharpening Club workshop
December 12th, 2012 Mulled wine, mince pies & Christmas nibbles Raffle You are invited to come and enjoy this social event with Woody, our Quizmaster for the evening, posing the questions… join a team and pit your wits….
January 9th, 2013 Homemade Soup and roll evening Gardening quiz Seed orders
January 19th, 2013 Social evening Skittles match The White Horse, Soudley Buffet - Ploughmans £5 (Postponed)
February 13th, 2013 Speaker: Mark Moir Edible gardens
March 13th, 2013 Speaker: Steve Frost ‘Preparing for the village show’ Pot of bulbs competition Seed swap
April 10th, 2013 Speaker: Marion Stainton Murder, magic and plant potions from your garden Marion's talk is guaranteed to get your attention and may produce a few surprises!
April 20th, 2013 Skittles evening now rescheduled The White Horse, Soudley 7pm Buffet £5
May 8th, 2013 Speaker: Owen Vaughan Talk on managing a 4 acre public garden with all year round interest by RHS award winning Head Gardener and skilled plantsman
May 18th, 2013 Trip to Kew Gardens Leaving the hall at 7.30am
June 12th, 2013 Garden Visit to The Meeting House, Flaxley 7pm Meet at the hall at 6.30pm for car sharing to the garden
July 10th, 2013 Speaker: Paul Greene Paul has a specialist plant nursery in Newent and will give advice on grouping plants to get the best effects. He will bring plants with him.
August 14th, 2013 AGM and Pimms night
Programme of club events 2011/2012
September Bulb evening Membership renewals Highgrove arrangements
September 28th Highgrove visit SOLD OUT
October 12th 2011 Speaker: Samantha Brown Garden Design
November 9th 2011 Speaker: David Ballard ‘Bump in the Forest’
December 14th 2011 Christmas Quiz & Party Night
January 11th 2012 Social evening Seed orders and suggestions
February 8th 2012 Speaker: Mr Perkins ‘Island Gardens of Britain’
March 14th 2012 Social evening
April 11th 2012 Speaker: Rachel Salisbury 'Container gardening'
April 21st 2012 RGC table at Souldey monthly market From 9.30am Plants and cakes
May 9th 2012 7PM Plant sale at Judy's garden, Kibble Lane and afterwards Social evening at the hall
May 20th 2012 Visit to Lydney Spring Gardens, Lydney Park Estate Meet at the garden car park at 1pm
June 13th 2012 Trip to Wilton Castle, Ross on Wye Guided tour and refreshments Car sharing from hall
July 11th 2012 Speaker: Bee keeping Honey related nibbles Bee friendly plants
August 8th 2012 AGM/ Pimms evening |
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