Our Summer Show takes place this Saturday, have a look at your schedule, see what you’ve got growing in your garden / veg plot and get your entries in by 5pm on Wednesday . Those rooted cuttings, excess produce, and spare plants can be brought to the hall at 6:00pm on Friday or from 8:30am on Saturday morning, this time we are supporting Living Tree in their 10th year. Best wishes, and looking forward to seeing you suitably hatted, Margaret[…]
Read moreOn March 10th a collective of Garden Clubs met digitally from across the country; Wales, Derbyshire, Dorset and elsewhere joined together to see and hear the remarkable story behind the RHS new venture near Manchester, RHS Bridgewater – headed up by Marcus Chiltern Jones of the RHS who enthusiastically gave his presentation. Started by Francis Egerton 3rd Duke of Bridgewater, called the Canal Duke as his nearby canal was dug on his orders to service and transport the nearby coal[…]
Read moreIn February 2021 we were able to meet for the first time in a year – on line – to view and hear a talk entitled Delightful, Delovely , Deranged by Nancy Stevens in Glasgow. Her audience in the balmy south enjoyed seeing and hearing about some of the amazing wonders of nature. The Japanese hold Iris celebrations where weddings are conducted whilst couples are rowed through waterways lined with Iris. Hydrangeas in all their glory, flowering at the start of the rainy season, attract[…]
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At the February 2020 meeting Caradoc Doy fascinated his audience with a brief history of the Veitch Nurseries of Exeter and Chelsea. Run by the family over two hundred years and five generations, it began in a small way on the Killerton Estate, where John Beech trialled new trees for the estate and to sell. Son-in-law James Veitch opened a shop in Exeter, then as the business grew James Junior established a nursery on the KIngs Road. The[…]
Read moreThe annual Christmas shopping outing headed for Salisbury to coincide with the Christmas market in the square. There were fewer stalls from Europe this year, but delicious and attractive purchases could be still made from the colourful kiosks. A very windswept Highland’s End hosted the club Christmas dinner, attended by over seventy guests. A lovely meal and convivial company was much enjoyed by everyone including our guests of honour, our patrons, Clive and Diana Groves. Sue Langdon’s huge raffle concluded[…]
Read moreTony Burges’ talk in November 2019 took his audience on a tour of the moors through all seasons; from spring bluebells to snowy peat-bogs and rocky tors. He shared his interest in Ancient History and also delighted his audience with myths and ‘fairy doings’ in the wilderness. Tony was born and bred in Devon and his passion for Devon & Cornwall was inspired while he was on Dartmoor training to become a Royal Marine.
Read moreSeveral members are reporting that they no longer receive Gardening Club emails. The most likely reason is that they are going straight to Spam or Junk mail. This is what to do if you spot a “bridportgardeningclub@gmail.com” address amongst your Spam/Junk mail: Tick the box next to it – then: a) You will now see the option to move it to your Inbox. b) Also, there is usually a ‘This is not Spam’ button you should click which, hopefully, will[…]
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We were treated to a beautifully illustrated talk by Briget Strawbridge Howard in July. It was surprising to learn how many species we have in Britain, the varied forms they take and fascinating to hear the complex life cycle of some. The decline in the insect population is due to a number of factors; gardeners can provide vital nectar and pollen by planting blooms of differing shapes and depths, flowering all through the year, from early bulbs to winter ivies.
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An entertaining evening was much enjoyed when our Patron,Clive Groves, came to speak on “Trekking in the Himalayas through the Eyes of a Nurseryman”. Following retirement in 2010, Clive, together with Diana, journeyed to Costa Rica, for an enjoyable trek despite adverse conditions. In the Himalayas they both achieved the climb up to Everest Base Camp. Altitude sickness, perilously narrow paths, cold, snow, ice and “yak attack” were all overcome. The reward was breathtaking beauty and finding plants growing in[…]
Read moreOf particular interest to those of us gardening on the coast was Caradoc Doy’s talk on Seaside Gardening at our May 2019 meeting. He advised looking at the native plants, growing beside the sea and in estuaries, which have evolved to withstand strong salt-laden winds. Choosing cultivated plants from these families will give greater success; blue and fleshy leaves are a clue to plants that have adapted well. Caradoc showed illustrations of many trees, shrubs and perennials which will bring[…]
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