Gosh, yet another wonderful event held on a glorious summer evening, albeit inside the pleasant Lowdham W I hall. The event was very well attended by over 40 people, including members and pleasingly some new members of the society. The provision of a lovely buffet, wine and other drinks was most welcome, giving those attending nourishment to ‘tackle’ the horticultural quiz (quite relaxed and informal really). The time and effort taken by Nicola (our Chairperson) in compiling the quiz were very much appreciated. We were advised of forthcoming talks and visits planned for this year and some which we hope to organise for next year. Hopefully, this will generate further the increasing interest in the society. We also managed to get the names of ‘volunteers’ who have agreed to help at this years August Show. If you were unable to attend the summer social and would like to help at the show you may contact us through the website, Facebook or even Twitter. If not, we hope you are able to attend the show and this year, just maybe, enter some of your vegetables, fruit or other produce in the show. The subjects in the increasingly popular photographic competition are; Markets, Country Lanes, Celebrations and Trees. So come on ‘get snapping’. Well, you’ll be pleased to note ‘that’s all for now’!

We enjoyed a most pleasant balmy summer evening wandering around the 1 acre garden belonging to Kate and Peter who provided help and advice with regard to the garden, trees, shrubs and plants. Towards the end of the visit we were provided with a selection of ‘nibbles’, delicious cake, coffee, tea and wine, which was most welcome. The garden includes many interesting plants, mature trees and shrubs with interesting sections and quiet corners. Altogether it was another most rewarding visit which was well supported by a considerable number of society members and others who joined us for the evening. The garden (Charnwood) may be found in the ngs (gardens open for charity), Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire 2013 booklet – page 29. The garden is well worth a visit.

A selection of photos from the evening may be found within the gallery section of our website.

After a day of unsettled weather, with showers, thunderstorms and heavy rain the evening was fine, treating us to some glorious evening sunlight with contrasting shadows. The wildflower farm staff were most pleasant and informative, showing us round the 40 acres, and explaining the extensive work needed to produce wildflower seed, plants, native trees and shrubs.  There was a plant sales area for those visitors wishing to purchase plants and we also enjoyed tea, coffee and delicious cakes after the tour. If you missed this visit, it is worthwhile considering a visit on a lovely fine day.

Please note, there is a further selection of images from this rewarding visit in the gallery on our website (under Wild Flower farm June 2013), which we hope you enjoy. Simply click on one of the photographs to see a larger version, and from that image select the other photographs which will remain in the larger version.

Despite the overcast and cold weather, a successful plant sale was held on Saturday 18th May 2013 (9.00am – 11.00am) at the Lowdham Village Hall car park. Society committee members were in attendance to help and advise customers during the event. As can be seen from the image above, sales of summer bedding, runner beans, tomato plants, cucumbers and marrow plants went well, the plant trays quickly being emptied. We raised just over £240 from the sale, all of which helps to support the Society and the village events, trips and talks which we continue to hold. It was most refreshing that a number of people attending the plant sale asked for advice with regard to plants and gardening. Furthermore, some visitors enquired about joining the Society, either now or in the future. Overall, a really worthwhile local event in the village. Well done to all.

A fine selection of vegetables

Plant sale in the village

• We have the horticultural society plant sale on Saturday 18th May 2013 in the Lowdham village hall car park from 9.00am to 11.00am. There will be vegetable plants,summer bedding plants, annuals and perennials available. – all at a most reasonable price. Donations of plants are always welcome.

We have two evening visits planned as follows;

• A tour around the Langar wildflower farm on Thursday 13th June 2013
• A visit to ‘Charnwood’, the garden of Kate Foale, (a recent speaker during our series of talks in the village) on Friday 05th July 2013.

Both visits include refreshments, are subsidised for members at £3.00 or for non-members £6.00. Please meet in Lowdham village hall car park at 7.00 p.m. to share transport. If you wish, you may meet us at each location for a 7.30 p.m. start.

Please let me know as soon as possible if you are interested in either visit for catering purposes.

I am planning a visit by coach to the National Trust property and gardens at Waddesdon Manor near Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire on Sunday 15th September – so keep this date free! More details to follow.

IMPORTANT; The date of our ‘summer social’ is now Thursday 11th July at 7.30 p.m. in Lowdham W.I. hall. Invitations are to be sent out soon.

Finally, someone left their entry of a ‘spiky succulent’ plant behind in the village hall after the spring show. It is flowering away happily at my house and I would love to return it to its rightful owner – please let me know if it is yours!

Nicola Macdonald

!!HYPERLINK ” mail to :na246@btinternet.com”  or tel no 0115 9665201

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