Newsletter 23rd February 2015

Evening, Have you noticed? There’s been a hint? Just a tiny hint, but a hint all the same… Spring! I’m certain there has been a tiny peek of what is to come, hopefully in the not too distant future, In the mean time our gardens are slowly coming alive and the beautiful little Snowdrop is now in full bloom, There are so many places in Cheshire to view these stunning little flowers, The mile-long Snowdrop Walk at Rode Hall until 13th March, In Dunham Massey’s winter garden there are a quarter of a million snowdrops! Wow! Chirk Castle; Wrexham also has beautiful snowdrop walks. The snowdrop walk at Norton Priory is open from 12pm to 4pm exclusively for Child Bereavement to remember babies and children who have died. Also at Norton Priory, The Walled Garden opens Sunday 1st March and Mothering Sunday on 15th March.

With Spring in mind, tonight’s speaker Sheila Lowe will give us a demonstration with spring tubs and baskets. Ian and Sheila Lowe exhibit at Chelsea, Tatton and Hampton Court Flower Shows, so winning Gold says they are very well qualified to tell us how to do it.

I’m sure you will agree our programme of events is varied, interesting and exciting, but it takes a lot of work to organise, As always we need your help, What would you like to hear about? Where would you like to go? What have you not heard about yet? Please! Let is know, we need your suggestions. We are about to start investigating possibilities for next years programme so your ideas would be great. A quick run through our annual trip to Wales on Thursday 15th July 2015.  We will visit Dingle Nurseries around 11am. The entrance fee is £3.50, or free for RHS members.  Time for tea or coffee before exploring the grounds, and importantly, buy plants! On the coach we can have our picnic lunch en route to Powys Castle arriving approx 1.45 – 2pm. Note: NT members Free. Non members; Whole house £12.15. Gardens Only £8.96. Castle Only £6.18.  If you bring a visitor they will be charged £14. for coach travel – £10 for members. If you are interested in joining the RHS they have an offer of £41.25 for 12months, (12months for the price of 9) Nation Trust membership; Joint from £71.62, Individual membership £43.50 (25% off) A considerable saving if you visit some gardens regularly.

Your membership card and programme states ‘Outing’ for May, We are planning on visiting Wood End Cottage Gardens at Whitegate, but not until slightly later in the season to get the full beauty of these lovely gardens, May is slightly too early to see it in ‘full bloom’ The gardens are ½ acre with a stream, herbaceous borders, 60plus clematis and lots more. The charge will be £6. Plus tea or coffee.

Don’t forget to bring along spare seed potatoes and other seeds/plants for our charity table next month. Every little makes a difference.

Our March meeting is about ‘Herbs’, Malcolm Dickson from Hooksgreen Herbs is the expert. If he doesn’t know about it, it’s not worth knowing.

Maureen Coxon