Newsletter 27th February 2023
www.frodshamgardeningclub.org Welcome to our February meeting. Our speaker tonight is Sue Beesley. You’re sure to have heard of Sue, she is going to tell us of the challenges when ‘Transforming Bluebell Cottage Gardens.’ These beautiful gardens are almost on our doorstep in Dutton, barely a ten minute drive away which Sue took over after winning the BBC’s Gardener of the Year about 17 years ago. The community gardens around the town are being well looked after by Gwyn, Fiona and a few other members. The planters by the library are beginning to come alive with daylight and sunlight improving, the bulbs are getting bigger and everything is becoming greener. Gwyn is still waiting for CW&C to give the go ahead for the planting of our anniversary Acer, which is going to be planted opposite The Netherton, and Andy Jones of Castle Park has the three oak trees ready for planting for the Queen’s Green Canopy, we are just waiting for the ‘nod’
It is sad to find some of our longstanding members are no longer able to attend the meetings as they are not now able to walk the distance to the Community Centre or are non-drivers or don’t like driving in the darkness. We are all getting older. There is no stopping it. For their social life to come to an end because of these problems is heart breaking. So we would like to make an appeal. Do you have an elderly person living near you or a past member who has stopped coming for these reasons? Could you perhaps offer to bring them here? It would be so good for them to come and mix with the other members, meet others for a good old chinwag and it would only be one evening a month. It would be a wonderful thing to give an older person something to look forward to again. Do you know someone who would be grateful for a lift here?
Every year at our AGM (before Covid) we always had a competition. We grew a Fuchsia. We grew a plant in a very small container, we’ve tried many things, I could go on – but we’ve come to a blockage. What could we do for the next AGM? We could try a summer bulb or bedding plants, but…. we thought, our members, YOU, could help us to make the decision. Just remember, the plant in question will have to be transported here from your home, it might need carrying a distance or maybe balanced in your car, so nothing too big or heavy or awkward, and since it is for a competition, it’s best if it is in flower at the time of the competition. Please help us make the decision.
We will hopefully have our charity table next month, so if you are splitting some plants or have spare seedlings please do bring them along for our charity sale, also if you have any unused equipment looking for a new home, bring it along, It may just be what someone else is looking for.
Have you ever been to see the famous Laburnum Arch at Bodnant Gardens? Our annual trip out will be on May 22nd. For members of the National Trust the cost is £20 and for those who are not members the cost is £34. Full details will follow soon.
Another trip has been organised to RHS Bridgewater, that will be on 18th September, the cost for the trip for everyone is £15. We are sure to see huge advancements since our last visit. Details to follow.
Exciting times ahead.
Next months’ meeting is about ‘Banquets for Bees and Butterflies from Jane Allison.
Have a good evening. Maureen Coxon. Newsletter & Publicity.