Fifty nine enthusiastic members of Gloucester Garden Club and four visitors attended Barrington Hall on Wednesday, February 28 for the first meeting of 2018.
The recent rain had brought a smile to everyone’s face and renewed hopes of lots of lovely flowers, fruit and vegtables in the coming months.
President Shirley Hazell welcomed the development promotions officer for MidCoast Council Bob Tebbett to speak to the club and gauge interest in, and support for, a possible Garden Expo in Gloucester later in the year under Destination Gloucester’s “Clean, Green Place” banner.
Gloucester A H and P show steward Christine Bolton passed on information and show schedules for those wishing to put entries into the Gloucester Show. She encouraged members to try and put some entries into the various sections. This year entries forms and fees can be lodged at Gloucester Gallery, between 10am and 3pm until March 14 rather than at the showground.
This month’s talk by Margaret Blamires on “what to do in your garden in March” was full of excellent advice. Kerry Marston opened our eyes to several stately homes and magnificent gardens in Ireland which she visited recently. We were fascinated by all the history of these Estates and her photos taken at Powerscourt, Kilemore Abbey, Birr Castle, Woodstock and Emo Court, with Birr Castle and gardens having been in the care of the same family for 400 years.
Raffle prize winners were Christine Bolton, Robert Sparke, Anne Williamson, Joan Harwood and Sharon Blanch.
It was a good day for Lorraine Johnstone who won both the membership draw and the lucky door prize. Competition winners in the collection of flowers section were: 1st Peter Hazell for a magnificent collection of orchids; 2nd Merlene Curby and 3rd David Pierce with collections in baskets. In the fruit and vege collection section the winners were: 1st Anne Williamson with a collection of vegetables; 2nd Ros McIntyre with bunya nuts and medlar fruit and 3rd Peter Hazell with another collection of vegetables.
The next meeting will be on Wednesday, March 28 from 10am Dot and Ray Harris’s home on Relfs Road, Gloucester with horticulturalist Rob Willis as guest speaker.
Friends and visitors are always most welcome.
