Horticulture and Friendliness - Reasons to Join Wincanton Gardeners Association
Jane Findlay, seen here in the centre with Membership Secretary: Mrs Sylvia Pleasants on the right and Summer Show Organiser Marcus Giles.
The Wincanton and District Gardeners' Association meets monthly in the Memorial Hall in Wincanton. Generally our meetings are held on the first Friday of the month at 7.30pm.
In June there is no meeting and we have an all day visit to a garden and again in August we have a half day visit, either in the afternoon or evening, depending on the venue. We price these visits as economically as possible.
In January we meet together for a Festive Sunday lunch at a local hostelry and a good time is had by all!
In March we visit Castle Gardens in Sherborne on our normal meeting evening and have the garden centre to ourselves and we have time for coffee and discounted shopping.
In July there is the Rose and Sweet Pea Show with the added thrill of the potato Weigh-In where members bring in their bag (potato, bag and some compost provided by the club) and empty out the contents to find out the weight of their crop, this is fun and as yet the winner for the last 3 years is unbeaten! We would like to know his secret!
The Association is responsible for the bi-annual planting of the town, in October with bulbs and in May with bedding, this is paid for by the Council but carried out by any willing members on an allocated Saturday. This year, 2010, the October planting will be on October 23rd at 9.00am, meet outside the library with a trowel and gloves!
In December we circulate seed catalogues to members and they may order seeds and sundries, such as compost, poultry manure, fertiliser etc. at a discounted price. Rochford Machinery kindly allow us to use their premises for distribution of orders in February.
The main aims of the club are the promotion of horticulture and friendliness. In our meetings we try to have a balance of speakers and demonstrators talking about flowers and vegetables and various other garden related topics, they often bring topical related items to sell.
At every meeting there is a competition where members may like to bring a single bloom in a vase from their garden and then at coffee time all members vote for the flower they like best with a bean and a count up is made. Throughout the year a record is kept of this competition and at the end of the year a Cup is awarded to the person with the most points. It is amazing to see what people are able to grow in all weathers! Coffee and biscuits are provided at every meeting and sometimes there is a bring and buy where members are invited to bring cuttings, seedlings and surplus goods and magazines which may interest others. In addition we hold a small monthly raffle and the proceeds of these activities help to boost funds.
Of course in late August or early September there is the Annual Flower Show which attracts entries by members and others and then we all turn up in the afternoon to view all the stunning produce and flowers.
As you can see we are an active society with at least a hundred members and welcome new members of all ages. The membership subscription is £5.00 per person per year and we think it is arguably the best £5.00 you spend in the year. Hope to see you soon.
To join contact our Membership Secretary: Mrs Sylvia Pleasants 14 South St, Wincanton, BA9 9DW, telephone 01963 34411.
Comments
Login to comment!