Tattenhall Garden Society

Oh, Bishop!

After a stonkingly successful Annual Show at the start of September then the A to C's of Succulents and Cacti being covered during our October meeting, the Gardening Society now invite you to the next meeting on Wednesday November 8th. We'll be continuing with D, hearing about Dahlias.

But first, a bit of a recap on the Show. For those who put in entries and/or came along to the afternoon showing, many thanks. We had over 600 separate entries from 90 people (from under 7s to over 70s), the best figures for at least 4 years. Photographic and art sections saw some of the biggest increases in entries but, frankly, pretty well all sections were well populated. If you go to the Galleries area of the website you can see photos of many of the winning veggies, fruit, flower arrangements, cup cakes, jams, photos, craft pieces, etc.

Succulents, the subjects covered in the October meeting, are amazingly varied. Our speaker Ian Robinson, had both an encyclopaedic knowledge of them, from a botanical and "how to grow them" perspective. A number of us came away with new houseplants, so maybe the Succulent bug is catching!

Our upcoming talk, which includes D fro Dahlias, turns out to be very timely. For those who already grow them, this is the time of year to lift tubers, dry them out then put them to bed for the winter. For those who have yet to try them, this is when to hear about them, to appreciate them in all their many forms and colours, from pastel pom-poms to the striking scarlet Bishop of Llandaff style varieties. Earwigs like them so we may find out to deal with the little whatnots and not be afraid to bring them into the house as cut flowers.

Plan to come along for 7.30 pm at the Barbour Institute, follow the sounds of kettles, sit though the briefest of AGMs and think about volunteering to be on the committee (we need a balance of experts and those who are keen to improve their gardens). The main show will then see Barry Davis speak to the subject "Growing and showing Dahlias and Chrysanthemums". We shall have annual membership cards available for purchasing and/or collection, plus teas and coffees to warm you up. Non-members are welcome for a nominal entry fee on the door. Further details can be obtained from Chairman Jen Benefield on 01829 770692.

And for those of you with busy lives, please keep your diaries free for our December meeting, on Wednesday 13th, when we shall be "Mulling over the Gardening year", with suitable libations. More to follow on that in due course.