Allotments, Soil and Care - Robert Bryant and Lesley Evans - 4th April 2023.
A sunny evening brought out quite a number of members and visitors to the first event of the Spring season at Eastcombe Village Hall. ‘Allotments- soils and care’ was the title of our combined talk and discussion. We knew it would be interesting with Robert Bryant who is warden for Eastcombe allotments and Lesley Evans nee Greene, warden, and representing Bisley Chestergate allotments and the Bisley Community Composting Scheme which is adjacent to the plots.
Robert and Lesley both have a vast experience of gardening- Robert designing gardens with flowers at their heart, and Lesley for vegetable growing and ambassador for soil enrichment.
Eastcombe is an excellent example of an urban allotment with neatly kept plots- 56 in all, of which some are available at present. Bisley has a different ambience- wide open space, chilly in winter with large plots surrounded by edible wild hedgerows and a community orchard at one end. There are plots available here too for those from other areas with needs not met elsewhere. Both sites are excellent for fruit growing.
Robert kicked off the event with a series of his photographs covering the ‘journey’ he has made at Eastcombe since 2018, and opening the floor to a discussion on pests and how to care for the plots organically. Well supported by Lesley, she spoke out for no- dig gardening (Charles Dowding led the way), composting to aid fertility and avoidance of breaking up soils by rotovation which just breaks up couch grass and damages the texture. She added that amateur gardeners will not be able to buy or use peat based compost from next year.
Bringing a pond into your plot was also cited as great to encourage the presence of wildlife- it could be a small bowl or a larger pond with shallow ledges. Introducing toads will remove slugs without the need for any poisons! Devising a method to allow animals eg hedgehogs, to drink but able to climb out, is essential.
Wild flower meadows are on each site- Robert has transformed a dumping ground on one corner to a very flowery meadow indeed- buying wholesale has allowed for greater areas to be sown. Perhaps plot holders can join forces? Now is the time to go for it, but pernicious weeds do need to be cleared first and seed must touch the soil for germination.
Bisley alloment holders often have larger expanses of wild flora on their own plots, which encourage pollinators who in turn will aid fruiting. Swapping young plants and providing excess for the Stroud Food Bank are also intrinsic.
Hilltop Gardening Club - Annual General Meeting - 7th February 2023.
Our A.G.M. was held on 7 February. Jane Randall, our Chairperson revisited the year with what talks, visits, and events that we had enjoyed.
Special ones included our visit to Old Court Nursery and Picton Garden, with a guided walk around their Michelmas Daisy collection and their new ventures in the shade garden. After lunch we looked around the garden of Perrycroft,- the Voisey designed house of the Arts and Crafts Movement in the Malvern Hills, which stood proudly on a hill overlooking extensive tracts of land. We ate our picnic and enjoyed delicious tea from china teapots and cups and cake as a welcome in the coach house. Time then to wander through the meadows and potter around the greenhouse and vegetable garden in the sunshine.
Another special afternoon was held at The Walled Garden, where the Museum hosts set up tea and coffee whilst the club supplied the scones, jam and cream. It gave members a chance to get together after so many lonely covid times.
Our Finance Secretary, Margaret Wood, whose position is now joined with the Membership Secretary, gave a full account of our accounts. In order to make it fair for members who pay £15.00 annually to join, visitors will now pay £3.00 to join in a talk. Coach trips, which are paid separately above the membership, give first option to members.
One of the Programme Secretaries, Jenny Exley, gave an insight into the new programme for the coming year, which covers a range of talks on historic, and far flung gardens and parks abroad, and hands on gardening tips, a Spring plant and preloved tool sale at The Lamb, and coach trips.
The A.G.M. wound up with the changes to the Committee. Most remain in place but Ruth Fraser, who has been Chairperson and Vice Chairman over 20 years has stood down. Pam Meecham, a recent committee member will replace her. (Although how can you replace Ruth with her very knowledgeable guidance on how to run our club!) We all joined in clapping her as thanks. Jane expressed her thanks to several members for their help.
Jane invited more members to join the committee- so please do -we need you!
Gill Hazell gave a Powerpoint quiz on Fruit and Vegetables. Some quite challenging questions but members rose to it.
