Gardeners Assoc

Future Meetings

7th December - Members' Christmas Supper social evening (7.00 pm in the village hall) - members only

1st February - AGM and Quiz in the village hall at 7.30 pm

Joining information

If you'd like to join the Association, particularly those of you who may be new to the village, for a £10 annual subscription you can enjoy:

Regular, informal meetings where we have guest speakers, demonstrations and visits.

A summer social evening in addition to a social AGM in December.

Discounts at Whilton Locks Garden Centre.

Discounts on seed, flower and vegetable purchases.

Garden visits and outings.

Please contact Olive Bardill-Tillett on 07921 429228 or 844169

Previous Meetings

5th October - Jenny Dixon gave an excellent talk and slideshow on autumn colours, She was very knowledgeable and passionate about her plants having brought with her a great many to show us and for us to purchase. Hopefully we shall be able to include a visit to her Nursery in our forthcoming programme.

3rd August - Around 20 members and guests visited the garden of Johnnie Amos in Flore. Everyone was surprised at the content and variety in such a small garden. Winners of the 'Best Front of House Garden' and 'Best Hanging Basket' competitions were also awarded their prizes by the judge Jenny Terry in her capacity as a professional gardener.

1st July - Summer Garden Party a wonderful evening at The Little Rectory. The slight chill in the wind was overridden by the warmth of the hosts, mouth watering food and the beautiful sunset.

1st June - "Bee keeping for Beginners" - a talk by Alan Sawyer who also brought along a working hive to provide a hands on demonstration of all aspects of a bee's life.

6th April - Gardeners' Question Time

2nd February 2011 - The AGM and quiz was very productive with suggestions from some members on items of interest for the future. Coffee and the quiz rounded off a very enjoyable meeting.

6th October 2010 - A well attended meeting for which a big 'thank you' goes to Linda Smith who gave an interesting, informative and entertaining talk and slide show about "Ponds Design and Planting." Most members felt that a visit to "Waterside Nursery" in 2011 would be of great interest.

11th August - The evening visit to Julie Connolly's garden at Clipston was well attended and, after a drink accompanied by some fresh scones, cream and strawberry jam, we all enjoyed the garden which was packed with some interesting planting.

20th June Garden visit to Felley Priory, Underwood in Nottinghamshire.

2nd June Mr Andrew Patmore gave a talk on "The Natural History of Salcey Forest."

7th April
Mrs Janet Copley will gave a talk on "Scent in our Gardens" and a selection of plants was on sale.

2nd December 2009

Excellent attendance at our Christmas Supper made it a very enjoyable evening. Thanks to the Committee members and all those who helped to make it go with a swing. Thanks too to Neil and Christine Phillips for their interesting slide show which we were able to view during the meal and also to Kathleen Wright for the very pretty table centre piece. The success of the evening has ensured that it will be an annual event.

7th October

Sally Cunningham gave an interesting talk on "Organic Gardening." A well attended meeting had the experience of her knowledge on the subject. Sally was assistant Head Gardener at Ryton Organic Gardens for a number of years and is still actively involved.

5 August

A plant sale was held in the St Andrew's Church with teas coffee and light refreshments.

4 July

Our fund-raising Garden Party held at "Woodview" was a great success thanks to all who came on a lovely summer's evening. Members and guests enjoyed refreshments and a good ‘natter’ when meeting up with both new and old friends. Approximately £300 was raised.

14 June

Coughton-Court-2
The Gardening Association joined forces with the Photographic Club on a memorable day out to Coughton Court in Warwickshire. There were 22 of us blessed with sunny weather as we strolled around the magnificent house and gardens. The walled garden in particular contained many roses and was a delight to the eye and senses. There were plenty of places to sit and admire the views of the lawns, gardens and lake. Some brought a picnic, others preferred to eat in the excellent restaurant situated in the old kitchens and it goes without saying that the ice cream shop did a roaring trade too.

3 June

A big thank you to Mr Neil Phillips for a very interesting talk and slide show explaining how, through photography, the beauty of plants and landscape comes into our lives.

1 April

A visit to see Mr Bert Manton demonstrating "Rural Crafts" was a wonderful interesting evening. On arrival we were given a warm welcome from Bert and the large wood-burning stove.

Bert demonstrated the art of making many things from wood including hurdles, gates, chairs, tables and even how to restore a “Gypsy Caravan.” My favourite was the wooden chrysanthemum flowers.

We also watched a rare video called "The Chiltern Boggers” on how they harvested beech wood to make the legs for the famous Windsor Chairs in the nineteen hundreds, it was fascinating.

Bert’s care and enthusiasm of all things wood was infectious and all too soon came to an end but not before sampling tea and biscuits in the Museum Room. We hope to arrange another visit so that those who were unable to attend will have the opportunity at a later date.

4 February

We had a well attended excellent talk by Christine Dakin on 'Winter Gardening.' Her knowledge, presentation skills and the way she answered our questions was received with warm enthusiasm. As always, a good selection of plants was on sale.

Notes compiled by Olive (who calls herself 'General Dogsbody')

Allotments

Why not get fit this year by renting an allotment in the village? Involve the children by letting them have a corner for themselves. If the thought of digging puts you off, then hire a rotavator. It can be very rewarding to eat something that you have grown yourself. Enquiries for an allotment can be made to Alison Nicholl, Clerk to Whilton Parish Council.