Many thanks to Bob Fitchett of the Upton Cider company for coming to talk to us about the trials and tribulations of cider making, it coincided very well with the Apple Day in October, and was a great way to slide into autumn!

I do not like this time of year at all, the colours in the garden are fab, but putting the greenhouse ‘to bed’, cutting back, clearing undergrowth, cutting the lawn etc are very tedious, as I can really only do this on the scarce dry & bright days, when I would rather be doing something else!

However, to cheer us all up, my friend Richard Roslyn is coming to talk to us on the progress on the Manor Gardens, and to share his stunning photos, this is after the AGM on Weds 3^rd Nov, at the Vale Room, Blewbury, 7.30pm, with a glass of wine or juice, and a selection of cheeses. I will also be announcing the winner of the Presidents Cup, which is given to the exhibitor with the most points in the whole show which was held back in the summer. I don’t know who it is, I haven’t added up all the points yet! It will be a surprise!

Also on sale at the AGM, will be tickets for the Xmas social evening at Toad Hall on 3^rd Dec, this is always a special evening, mulled wine or juice, hot canapés and a quiz or something on those lines, with prizes. I shall not be there this year, I have a better offer!

Happy Gardening

Karen Brooks

VPA news;

I found the dreaded first fallen leaf of autumn on my lawn this morning, brown and crispy, surely this is not right? I am still picking beans and tomatoes? However, the weed & feed has worked wonders on those dratted dandelions in the lawn, and the borders are still flowering well, and the bees are still buzzing in the lavender!

Speaking of bees, Mr Nickless gave us a splendid talk on keeping bees, getting honey and the dangers of wasps to the hives! Our next talk is on “Cider Making”, this is now in Upton Village Hall, (not the Methodist Chapel as advertised) on Wednesday 6th October at 7.30. Val & Bob Fitchett of the acclaimed Upton Cider Farm, are coming to tell us all about the art of cider making, and hopefully tasting it too, and even more hopefully selling us some!

While talking about the wasps, Mr Nickless explained that we have had the big European wasps here this summer, which explains why I have had such a nasty reaction to the 2 stings I received on guide camp in August! Something else to blame the EU for!

Happy Gardening

Karen Brooks

Well done to everyone who entered the Summer show, our largest ever! 55 competitors put together 385 exhibits between them, just phenomenal! As usual the standard was pretty high, particularly in the cookery, floral art, handicraft & photography sections, with just one or two points between the winner of the cup and second place! Fruit, flowers & vegetables were not so good this year, but hardly to be expected given the weather conditions this year! The children’s’ section was brilliant, 14 kids entered this year, which gave the judges a bit of a headache, well done!

As usual, my roses where not up to scratch on show day, but 3 days later they were looking fabulous, typical! I had no runner beans ready, only 2 courgettes not 4, my teabread decided to burn itself then sink, but at least it got a 1^st in the committee reject class, such fame!

Our next talk is on Wednesday 1^st September, at 7.30pm, in the Vale room, Blewbury, when we have a Bee Demonstration, sadly they are not doing Morris dancing, but the beekeepers are going to tell us all about bees and how to keep them happy, and I think there was a mention of real honey being available to buy!

Happy Gardening

Karen Brooks

The 63^rd ANNUAL SHOW will be held at Blewbury Village Hall on SATURDAY 31^st July 2010

STAGING: 8:30 am – 11:00 am

JUDGING to commence 11:15 am

SHOW OPENS 2:30 pm

PRIZE GIVING followed by AUCTION 4:00 pm (ish)

ENTRY FEES; 20p per entry. No fee for entries to Children’s Section.

POINTS; 1^st – 4 points, 2^nd – 3 points, 3^rd – 2 points, 4^th – 1 point;

PRIZE MONEY; 1^st – 50p, 2nd – 30p, 3rd – 20p

The closing date for all entries (written, e-mailed or telephoned) is 10:00 pm. on Wednesday 28th July 2010. Late entries are at the Show Secretary’s discretion and will incur an extra charge of £1 to cover administration costs.

Entry forms together with entry fees should be returned to:

The Show Secretary; Karen Brooks, Tadcombe, Besselslea, Blewbury (or c/o the Post Office, Blewbury)

If you are unable to deliver your entry, you may telephone it in on 01235 850219 or e-mail it karencbrooks@googlemail.com If you use one of these methods please bring your completed entry form together with entry fees when staging.

Everyone is welcome to enter any of the classes, unless stated, (e.g.; Ladies only)

All entries must be grown by or be the work of yourself or the exhibitor/s, and in the case of horticultural exhibits, must have been in your possession for three months, unless grown from seed in a shorter period. The only exception is in the Floral Art section, where materials may be bought, but the arrangement must be your own work.

We thank the following Garden Centres and Companies who support us

Savages, Blewbury Garage, Blewbury Post Office, Set in Stone;

The novice classes in each section are for those exhibitors who have never won a class in the relevant section at any previous VPA show e.g., Rose class winners may enter the Sweet Pea novice class if not winners in sweet peas before!

Please try to name the varieties that you display in any of the Horticultural Classes

FRUIT SECTION ‘A’

Fruit should be shown on the stalk, should NOT be polished but left with the natural bloom on and should be shown ripe (apples, pears and gooseberries may additionally be shown when unripe).

A1 Plate of 10 raspberries

A2 Plate of 10 strawberries

A3 Plate of 10 gooseberries

A4 Plate of currants, 3 strigs any colour

A5 Plate of mixed fruit, 3 varieties, not less than 2 specimens of each

A6 Plate of 7 plums, damsons or gages

A7 Plate of any other fruit, one variety only, any number of specimens, not mentioned above

Novices Only:

A8 Plate of any fruit, one variety, any number of specimens

Class A7 only – more than one entry per member permitted

The MURPHYS’ CHALLENGE CUP will be awarded to the exhibitor with the most points in the Fruit Section.

A Special prize will be awarded to the best exhibit in this section.

VEGETABLE SECTION ‘B’

B1 4 potatoes, white

B2 4 potatoes, coloured

B3 4 courgettes, 4-8 inches (100-200mm) in length, without flowers

B4 3 carrots, with leaf stalk

B5 2 lettuces

B6 4 onions, shown as pulled with washed roots

B7 3 beetroot, with stalks

B8 4 tomatoes with calyces

B9 Vase of herbs, named

B10 6 radishes, 2 inch stalks (40mm)

B11 Any other vegetable not mentioned, 2 or more specimens

B12 9 shallots, shown as pulled with washed roots

B13 6 runner beans

B14 4 peas/beans/legumes

B15 6 cherry tomatoes with calyces

B16 A marrow

B17 A squash

B18 A collection of 6 different vegetables staged on a tray < 18” sq; (46cm sq)

B19 Biggest radish

B20 Most peas in a pod (closed)

B21 A small container of homemade compost

Novices only

B22; Any other vegetable, as described above or a single of any other not mentioned.

Class B11 only; more than one entry per person permitted

The JOHN COLIN MEMORIAL CUP and a special prize will be presented to the best exhibit in the vegetable section.

The RYMAN SILVER CHALLENGE CUP will be awarded to the exhibitor with the most points in the vegetable section, along with a special prize.

The REG TAYLOR TANKARD will be awarded to the best collection class B18

A special prize will be awarded to the winner of class B22, Novices.

ROSE SECTION ‘C’

C1 Vase of 3 red blooms, one or more cultivars

C2 One stem, cluster flowered (Floribunda), any cultivar

C3 Vase of 3 stems, cluster flowered (Floribunda), more than one cultivar

C4 Vase of 3 blooms, large flowered (Hybrid Tea), three stages (one bloom in bud, one bloom half to three quarters open, one in full bloom), one cultivar

C5 Single stem of a hybrid tea rose

C6 Vase of 3 stems, miniature, one or more cultivars

C7 Vase of 1 bloom (Shrub Roses)

C8 Single stem of an old fashioned garden rose, any cultivar

C9 Vase of 1 bloom (Climber or Rambler).

C10 Ladies’ only – Vase of 4 blooms, not less than two cultivars

Novices only

C11 Vase of 3 roses, any cultivar

The EILEEN SMITH MEMORIAL VASE will be awarded to the winner of Class C1

The LADIES CHALLENGE ROSE BOWL will be awarded to the winner of Class 10.

The CLOVER CHALLENGE ROSE BOWL will be awarded to the exhibitor with the most points in Classes C1–C9 inclusive.

The BLEWBURY & UPTON CHALLENGE ROSE BOWL will be awarded to the Best Exhibit in this section.

SWEET PEA/LATHYRUS SECTION ‘D’

Classes D1-D3 are for Spencer Sweet Peas (These are generally the modern sweet pea varieties; non- Spencer are usually called old fashioned or heritage varieties)

D1 Vase of 7 stems, one cultivar, any colour

D2 Single stem, any cultivar

D3 Vase of 12 stems, two or more cultivars

D4 Vase of 7 stems of non-Spencer sweet peas/lathyrus, one or more cultivars

D5 Bowl of sweet peas/lathyrus, one or more types (e.g. old fashioned, perennial, annual, species etc.), one or more cultivars, arranged for quality and effect, any foliage may be used. Space allowed 12 ins (458mm)

Novices Only;

D6 Vase of Sweet Peas, 5 stems, any cultivar, any type

The BLEWBURY & UPTON SWEET PEA CHALLENGE VASE will be awarded to the exhibitor with the most points in Classes D1 – D5 along with a special prize for the best exhibit in this section.

A special prize awarded to class D6.

CUT FLOWER SECTION ‘E’

Note: ‘type’ and ‘cultivar’ are both defined terms. For example, nasturtiums and sweet peas are ‘types’ of annuals; Jilly and Anniversary are sweet pea ‘cultivars’.

E1 Saucer of 6 pansies, one or more cultivars

E2 Single stem of a flower grown from a corm, bulb or tuber

E3 Vase of flowers grown from corms, tubers or bulbs, 3 stems, one or more cultivars

E4 Single stem of a hardy herbaceous perennial flower

E5 Vase of mixed hardy herbaceous perennial flowers, at least three types of perennials

E6 Vase of hardy herbaceous perennial flowers, 4 stems, one type of perennial

E7 Vase of annual flowers, not less than three types of annual

E8 Vase of annual flowers, not more than 6 stems, one type of annual

E9 Single stem of an annual flower

E10 Flowering shrub (other than a rose), 3 stems, exhibit not to exceed 18 inches (458mm) in width or depth, one or more types of flowering shrub

E11 Single bloom of a climbing plant, annual or perennial (may be displayed in a saucer or vase)

E12 Vase of mixed garden flowers, not less than 3 types of garden flowers, any number of stems

E13 4 Fuchsia blooms, named, different cultivars or species.

E14 A collection of flowers comprising:

Rose (one specimen bloom, large flowered, any cultivar);

Annuals (3 stems, one type of annual); and

Hardy herbaceous perennials (one vase, 3 stems, one type of perennial)

E15 3 stems of Phlox

Novices only;

E16 Vase of mixed garden flowers, not less than 3 types, any number of stems

The BLEWBURY & UPTON SILVER CHALLENGE CUP will be awarded to the exhibitor with the most points in Section E; E1 – E15

The FRANCES BERRILL SALVER will be awarded to the exhibitor with the most points in Classes E7, E8 & E9

The PYREX SILVER CHALLENGE CUP will be awarded to the winner of class E14

A special prize will be awarded for the best exhibit in the section, and also class E16

CONTAINER PLANT SECTION ‘F’

F1 Cactus/i or succulent/s, in a pot not exceeding 12 inches (305mm) in diameter

F2 Fuchsia/s, in a pot not exceeding 12 inches (305mm) in diameter

F3 Any other flowering plant, not mentioned above, in a pot not exceeding 12 inches (305mm) in diameter, one or more varieties

F4 Herb(s), in a pot not exceeding 12 inches (305mm) in diameter (one or more varieties)

F5 A foliage pot plant, in a pot not exceeding 12 inches in diameter (plant must not be in flower)

F6 A bonsai tree, in a pot not exceeding 12ins (305mm) in diameter

F7 A standard plant, grown in a pot

F8 A container containing flowering plants

F9 A container containing foliage plants only

F10 A hanging basket

Novices only;

F11 a flowering pot plant

.

The WELCH TROPHY will be awarded for most points in this section.

A Special prize will be awarded for the best exhibit in this section

A DIPLOMA FOR EXCELLENCE IN HORTICULTURE will be awarded to the best exhibit in the above Horticultural Sections (A – F inclusive), also a special prize.

The Royal Horticultural Society BANKSIAN MEDAL will be awarded to the exhibitor who has won the most points (excluding special prizes) in the Horticultural Sections (A-F) of the Show. (In accordance with the RHS conditions governing the award of the Banksian Medal, the exhibitors who won the Banksian Medal in 2008 (Margaret Maytham) and 2009 (Eileen Bracken) are not eligible to win this medal in 2010).

The Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Merit Certificate will be awarded jointly with the VPA to the junior exhibitor (aged under 18 years on the show day), who in the judges’ opinion is the most promising horticultural exhibitor. Exhibitors in ANY horticultural classes, including those only open to junior competitors, will be considered for this special award.

A Special Prize will be awarded to the exhibitor staging the largest number of entries in the Horticultural Sections of the Show.

A Special Prize will be awarded to the best exhibit in the other sections of the show.

The BLEWBURY & UPTON NOVICE CUP will be awarded to the exhibitor with the most points in the novice classes across all sections.

INTER-SOCIETY SECTION ‘G’

This section is for other Garden Clubs and Societies to enter as a group. No entry feee is made for entries in this class. Individuals may enter other classes as specified earlier.

G1 A collection of produce comprising:

A large plate of fruit (two or more types) 20 pts.

3 varieties of vegetables (two specimens of each) 30 pts.

A vase of flowers (one or more types) 30 pts.

A jar of jam (any variety) 20 pts.

To be displayed inside an area not exceeding 2 ft x 3 ft, (610mm x 915mm) a tray or black underlay allowed.

The BLEWBURY & UPTON VPA SHOW SECRETARY’S CUP will be awarded to the Society gaining most points

In all of the following Classes more than one person per household may enter

FLORAL ART SECTION ‘H’

.Accessories, drapes, titles, containers and backgrounds etc may always be included unless specifically forbidden by the schedule.

Note – flowers in this Section may be home grown by the exhibitor or purchased.

Theme –“World Cup”

H1 Africa; “Rainforest”- a pedestal arrangement, space allowed 24inches/610mm in width, depth or height.

H2 Japan; “Oriental Express” – A vertical line arrangement, design not exceeding 24 inches/610 mm in width or depth, .

H3 England “England’s’ Dream”– an horizontal design suitable for a dining table, not exceeding 30inches/760mm in length & 10 inches (254 mm) in height

H4 France; “Ooh La La”– a miniature arrangement suitable for a guest bedroom, a container may be used. Space allowed 6 inches (152mm) in height, width or depth

Novices only;

H5 “World Cup” An all round arrangement in any container, accessories may be used, space allowed, 24inches/610mm in width, height and depth

The BLEWBURY & UPTON FLORAL ART CUP will be awarded to the exhibitor with the most points in Classes H1 -4

The BLEWBURY & UPTON FLORAL ART NOVICE CUP will be awarded to the winner of Class H5

The BLEWBURY AND UPTON FLORAL ART AUTUMN TROPHY will be awarded to the best exhibit in this section

HANDICRAFT SECTION ‘J’

Items that are exhibited must not have been shown at any previous VPA Show.

Please indicate sizes of handicraft items on the entry form to help with planning the Show.

J1 A hand knitted garment

J2 A handmade toy made from any materials

J3 A needlework picture, cross-stitch, canvas work or tapestry (stamped canvases and kits allowed, but credit will be given for original designs – please mark entry accordingly)

J4 An item of handcrafted jewellery J5 A painting or drawing, any subject (except a botanical illustration)

J6 A botanical illustration

J7 A Model or Sculpture, any medium, any size.

J8 Any other item of craft not mentioned above

The BLEWBURY & UPTON HANDICRAFT TROPHY will be awarded to the exhibitor with the most points in Section J.

COOKERY SECTION ‘K’ –

Classifications of fruit

Soft: Blackberries, blackcurrants, elderberries, figs, gooseberries, grapes, loganberries, mulberries, raspberries, rhubarb, strawberries, redcurrants, whortleberries (whinberries) etc.

Stone: Apricots, cherries, damsons, peaches, plums, greengages, sloes, nectarines, mangoes etc.

Hard: Apples, pears, medlars, quinces, crab apples etc.

K1 Jar of jam made from ‘soft’ fruit – any variety

K2 Jar of jam made from ‘stone or hard’ fruit – any variety

K3 Jar of any other preserve. (More than one entry permitted)

K4 Jar of marmalade any variety

K5 Jar of pickles

K6 Jar of chutney

Jars should be made of clear glass, with lids, and should be free from all commercial/trade marks.

The cover should be suitable for the preservation of the contents and the jar should be of appropriate size (typically 1lb.).

Labels should be plain and neat and should state contents and day, month and year of making.

K7 A loaf of bread (baked in a loaf tin)

K8 A tea bread (to given recipe)

K9 A dish suitable as a starter for a dinner party

K10 A vegetable pizza

K11 A sandwich suitable to take to work

K12 A fruit flan

K13 5 sausage rolls (homemade pastry)

K14 A bottle of home made soft drink. – a glass to be provided for tasting.

K15 4 scones

K16 6 pieces of homemade fudge

Novices only

K17; 4 flapjacks

The LADIES CHALLENGE CUP will be awarded to the exhibitor with the most points in Section K, also a special prize.

The GWEN SNOOK MEMORIAL CUP will be awarded to the exhibitor gaining the most points in the preserves, Classes K1-K6 inclusive.

The HARRY THOMSON SANDWICH PLATE will be awarded to the winner of Class K11.

NB; Entries for classes may be placed in the refrigerator if needed, (with staging card) in the kitchen of the hall at staging. The stewards will replace entries onto the table at the start of the show. All baked entries should be on/in white plates/bowls and covered with cling film, apart from bread which should be on a board, and the drink which should be in a clear bottle.

TEA BREAD;

200g self raising flour

200g mixed dried fruit

100g soft dark brown sugar

1 egg

Soak the fruit in half a pint of strong tea overnight.

Add egg to fruit, mix well, then add flour and sugar.

Put in greased loaf tin and bake for 1 hour at Gas 3-4, electric 170 c or 325 F.

CHILDREN’S SECTION ‘L’

An Entry Certificate will be given to all entrants in the Children’s Section. Your age must be stated on entry form. Your name must NOT be shown in the exhibit. The exhibits must be all your own work. There is no entry fee for any of the Classes in this Section.

VPA Classes for ages up to and including 7 years

L1 A drawing or painting entitled “My Family” on a sheet of A4

L2 Garden flowers in a jam jar

A CHILDREN’S CHALLENGE CUP will be awarded to the exhibitor with the most points in Classes L1 & L2

VPA Classes for ages 8 – 12 years inclusive

L3 A plate of cakes you have made

L4 A photo of flowers you have taken yourself

The BLEWBURY & UPTON CHILDREN’S CHALLENGE CUP will be awarded to the exhibitor with most points in Classes L3 & L4

VPA Classes for ages 13 – 17 years inclusive

L5 Something I have made (at school or at home)

L6 Flowers from the garden

The GWEN GREENOUGH CUP will be awarded to the winner of Class L6.

The ETHEL WARHURST TROPHY will be awarded to the exhibitor with the most points in classes L5 & L6

The BETTY CLARK TROPHY will be awarded to the best exhibit in the section.

In all the following Classes more than one person per household may enter.

PHOTOGRAPHY SECTION ‘M’

Items that are exhibited must not have been shown at any previous VPA Show.

M1 – M10; all prints not less than 6ins x 4ins

M1 A set of 4 colour prints depicting “On the Waterfront”

M2 A Colour print depicting “Oranges & Lemons”

M3 A Colour print depicting “Still Life”

M4 A Colour print entitled “What is this?”

M5 A Colour print depicting “Over the Farm Gate”

M6 A Colour print depicting “Café Life”

M7 A Colour print depicting "Shopping"

M8 A Set of 3 Colour Prints depicting “Messing about on the River”

M9 A Print, amusing, with caption

M10 A Print depicting “Happiness”

M11 A portrait (print any size)

M12 A Black & White print. (Any size)

The NIC COLE PHOTOGRAPHY TROPHY will be awarded to the exhibitor with the most points in this Section.

WINE SECTION ‘N’

Wines and meads must be exhibited in clear uncoloured glass bottles, with a plain label stating whether kit or original, the type of wine, and month and year of manufacture. Plastic or shouldered corks should be used and a glass provided for tasting with each exhibit

Beers must be exhibited in crown-capped or screw topped 1-pint brown beer bottles.

No entrant is allowed more than one entry in any one Class

N1 Bottle of white wine – made from a kit or original ingredients

N2 Bottle of mead – please indicate whether sweet or dry

N3 Bottle of red wine – kit or original, please state

N4 Bottle of rose wine – made from a kit or original ingredients

N5 Bottle of home-made cider, beer or lager – made from a kit or original ingredients

The SILVER CHALLENGE TANKARD will be awarded for the most points in the section.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS ONLY SECTION ‘O’

This is for VPA committee members only, no fee & no prize money, just for fun!

O1 A floral or foliage arrangement depicting a song or piece of music.

O2 A plate of reject cookery entries

O3 A photo depicting “ My Garden”

A special prize awarded to the winner of this class.

General Information

All exhibits must be staged in accordance with the Schedule, and must be your own work. With the exception of floral art; all flowers, fruit & vegetables must be grown by you in your own garden or allotment. A full copy of the rules for exhibitors can be obtained from the Show Secretary, Karen Brooks. Exhibitors should ensure that the classes that they wish to enter are stated clearly on the entry form (both class number and category number) and that their name and address are legible. Where a class states no specific item, (e.g., a plate of any other fruit not mentioned), you may enter any number of plates of fruits, as long as they are all different and not mentioned! Always allow plenty of time when staging, maybe bring a few extra specimens in case of damage while travelling. Stewards will be on hand to assist you with any problems that you might have. All disputes with the judging must be put in writing and handed to the Show Secretary along with 50p, before 3pm on the day of the show, if upheld, your 50p will be returned. Before leaving the show bench, check that you have staged the correct numbers in order to avoid the possibility of disqualification on the grounds that it is ‘not according to Schedule’ (NAS). In any exhibit, but especially one of fruit or vegetables, uniformity of the specimens is important. Three high quality equally sized specimens are better than one large one and two smaller ones. Always go for quality rather than quantity. Most importantly of all, join in and enjoy it!

President: Mrs Joyce Gilbert

Vice Presidents: Mr John Snook

Mrs Joanna Thomson

Mrs Judy White

Chair; Mrs Eileen Bracken

Secretary; Mrs Chris Jarvis

Treasurer; Mrs Margaret Maytham

Show Secretary; Ms Karen Brooks

Committee; Capt. Austin Maytham

Ms Liz Mather

Mrs Maureen Pottle

Mr Ken Pottle

Mr Malcolm Wright

Mrs Val Harding

Dr Mike Gettings

Blewbury & Upton VPA Prizes for 2009

Annual Show

Blewbury & Upton Novices cup Sue Quinton

Murphy Challenge Cup Mary Gutfruend

John Colin Memorial Vase Eileen Bracken

Ryman Silver Challenge Cup Eileen Bracken

Reg Taylor Tankard Margaret Maytham

Eileen Smith Memorial Vase Margaret Maytham

Blewbury & Upton Ladies Challenge Cup Karen Brooks

Clover Challenge Bowl & Rose Medal Karen Brooks

Blewbury & Upton Challenge Rose Bowl

Blewbury & Upton Sweet Pea Vase & Medal Karen Brooks& Bernadine

Shirley Smith

Blewbury & Upton Silver Cup Chris Jarvis

Frances Berril Salver Chris Jarvis

Pyrex Silver Challenge Cup Chris Jarvis

Welch Challenge Tray Eileen Bracken

Banksian Medal Eileen Bracken

Best Exhibit in Show Les Ward

RHS Award of Merit (Junior)

Blewbury & Upton Floral Art Cup Graeme Gettings

Blewbury & Upton Handicraft Trophy Paul Letchfield & Eileen Bracken

Floral Art Novices Cup Doreen Gilbert

Floral Art Trophy Graeme Gettings

Ladies Challenge Cup Sue Quinton

Gwen Snook Memorial Cup Sue Quinton

Harry Thompson Sandwich Plate Mike Gettings

Children’s Challenge Cup Rhiannon Fletcher

Blewbury & Upton Children’s Cup Benedict Fletcher

Gwen Greenough Cup Rosemary Finnon

Rose Bowl 13 – 17 years

Nic Cole Photography Trophy Sally Jones

Silver Challenge Tankard Margaret Maytham

Betty Clark Trophy Lydia Shaw

Ethel Warhurst Trophy Aidan Fletcher

Committee cup Karen Brooks

Presidents Cup

Eileen Bracken

The VPA had a lovely trip to Pam Lewis’s garden, great weather and beautiful gardens and lunch! Our next little jaunt is on Wednesday 7^th July, to Clematis Corner in Shillingford, to book, please ring Eileen on 510095. We are meeting at Blewbury Village hall at 7pm, car sharing will be organised there if necessary.

It has been such a hectic year so far, dogs, kids, dandelions, guide camp etc that I completely forgot to mention the Annual Summer Show, this will be held on Saturday 31^st July, the schedules are available from the Post Office in Blewbury, or on my front porch, (Tadcombe, Besselslea); Please pick one up if you would like to enter the show, entry forms need to be back to me by Weds 28^th 10pm, email karencbrooks@googlemail.com or pop them into the Post Office, Blewbury or to Maggie in Upton. Then simply bring your entries to the village hall between 8.30 and 11am on the Saturday, and come back at 2.30pm when the show opens to the public, to see if you have won!!

If you can’t be bothered to enter, then just come along at 2.30pm, to see who has scooped all the prizes, and who will be winning the coveted silver cups! We will be serving teas and homemade cakes, a tombola and raffle, and at 4.30pm, we will auction off some of the prize-winning entries!

If you need more info, then ring me (Show Secretary) on 850219, and I will try to help you! I will be fighting off the pigeons who are trying to eat the cherries off the tree, and waging war on anything that may dare to eat or destroy my roses!! Maybe I should train the dog to guard them?!

The talk for the September meeting is on the 1^st, Vale Room, Blewbury, when R & J Nickless will be giving a “Bee Demonstration”. Are they making cakes? Making them dance? I think we should know?!

Happy Gardening

Karen Brooks

VPA news;

Last year I resorted to a weed killer spray to kill those dandelions in the lawn, the result was lots of big patches of dead grass! Did it work? No! This year I have painstakingly dug out each one, result, lots of little brown holes with no grass! The birds have had fun finding worms in them and I think I have done a good job at aerating it all, my excuse and I’m sticking to it! I have some champion sized nettles under the Laburnum, but I am leaving them for the butterflies! (another good excuse)!!

We are looking forward to the trip to Pam Lewis’ garden on the 12^th June, and we have a change to the June talk, (Weds 2^nd June; Upton Methodist Hall, 7.30pm) we now have Dave Endicott coming to talk to us about Bats, and their conservation etc. I have heard Dave talk many times, when he comes to talk to the Brownies and Guides, he is very entertaining and interesting and hopefully he will bring some of his little friends with him, the ones that are unable to return to the wild. They are fascinating creatures and much maligned by horror movies etc!!!

On Sunday June 20^th, Joyce’s garden will be open under the “Yellow Book Garden Scheme”, along with other village gardens; we hope to see you there! We will have our usual plant stall.

Happy Gardening

Karen Brooks

Why, oh why, after such a cold winter, when some of my plants have not made it through the snow, why have the blasted dandelions tripled in size and quantity, and taken over the whole village, (it seems), I know they are beneficial to bees and other insects, but do they really have to be so prolific? On a happy note, the veg patch has been a doddle to dig over, and I have planted my peas, and sown tomatoes and courgettes etc, (in the greenhouse)! Dizzy the dog is still pottering, and is often found in the honey suckle, under which she has dug a hole to sleep in!

Brian Davis gave us a lovely talk on Bulbs throughout the Year, nice photos, and good advice on feeding them in spring and autumn. He also discovered a huge patch of rare wild flowers in the gardens of the Methodist church in Upton; we were all thrilled to see them! (Pockets were checked on the way out!!)

Our next talk is by Norma Bird, on Conservation in the Garden, Weds May 5^th, Vale room, Blewbury, at 7.30pm. Please ring if you need a lift, 850219. I am not sure that I have anything worth conserving in my garden at all,

We still have places for the forthcoming trip to Pam Lewis’ garden, near Devizes, this is a lovely garden, with morning coffee, lunch, a flower arranging demo, with tea and cake before we leave, for those not interested in floral art, she is also a blacksmith, so a look round the workshop, or a snooze in the garden may be the answer!! The date is Saturday 12^th June; cost is £25, with a small contribution to fuel costs (approx £6) if you need a lift with someone! To book, ring me on above no, or email karencbrooks@googlemail.com, or put a note into the post office in Blewbury, or to Maggie in Upton.

Happy Gardening Karen Brooks

My early daffodils are open at last, the ones by my front fence, all the others are in various stages, from almost out, to just about 6 inches high and feeling cold! The Daphne is blossoming; it is one of my favourite scents in the garden, almost spicy! I have Pulmonaria out too; my Grandma always called it “bird dirt plant”, because of the spotty leaves! Bless her!

Apparently the talk on Hagbourne in Bloom was well attended and was very good, all villagers tried to make their own gardens and the village look really good, they succeeded I think!

Our next talk is on Wednesday 7^th April, in Upton, I think its in the Methodist Hall, at 7.30pm, Brian Davis will be giving a talk on “Bulbs for all Year”, give me a ring on 850219, nearer the date and I will confirm whether it’s the Methodist Hall or the village hall (or if you need a lift)! One of my doggies is not very well, so I am a bit scatty at the moment!!

I also need to tell you about the forthcoming trip to Pam Lewis’ garden, near Devises, this is a lovely garden, with morning coffee, lunch, a flower arranging demo, with tea and cake before we leave, for those not interested in floral art, she is also a blacksmith, so a look round the workshop, or a snooze in the garden may be the answer!! The date is Saturday 12^th June; cost is £25, with a small contribution to fuel costs if you need a lift with someone! To book, ring me on above no, or email karencbrooks@googlemail.com, or put a note into the post office in Blewbury, or to Maggie in Upton.

Happy Gardening

Karen Brooks

16/03/10

It was lovely to see some new faces at the February talk on growing vegetables’ in containers; he grew his carrots in polythene bags! Huge!! The next talk is on Wednesday 3^rd March, in the Vale room, Blewbury, at 7.30pm, when Jenny Smith will tell us all about East Hagbournes’ recent success in the Britain in Bloom competition last year. Please ring if you need a lift, my phone is working again now, 850219.

The spring bulbs are making an appearance, snowdrop season is well under way and today I noticed some yellow crocus about to burst into bloom, I have seen mauve ones already out around the village, and I think I saw a bit of yellow on a miniature daffodil yesterday, in a pot!! I suppose I ought to show willing and go out and clear some of the frost blackened stalks of things I had left over from last year as today the sun is shining and the birds are nesting. I think the gardening year has just about started again, I will think about digging the veg plot, only thinking mind you!!! A friend has already planted his tomato seeds, because he will be too busy doing proper gardening soon, to get around to it!

Happy Gardening Karen Brooks