The Society’s next event is a talk designed to help you find out how to prepare and show your cookery, preserves and wine – just the thing if you’re thinking of taking part in the Summer Show in July.
Wednesday March 25th at 7.30pm in the village hall.
Talk ‘Preparing for the Show bench’ – Cookery, Wine and Preserves with Jo Osment – Show Judge. Find out how to present your entries for the show to increase your chances of winning! Learn what a judge is looking for when studying your entry.
We’re having a Seed and Plant Exchange day on 26th March, 2.30-4.40 pm at Abbeyfield, Lyme Regis, (Silver Street, Lyme Regis, 01297 443783) for a fund raise for restoration of conservatory and garden.
Tea and strawberry tarts. £3.50 entrance.
We’d be delighted if you could come, bring any seeds or cuttings you wish to swap or of course, just yourselves!
If you have fruit trees and need advice on looking after them, local expert Philip Gamble will be giving a practical explanation of ‘How to prune and care for fruit trees’ on Sunday 15th March from 10.30 – 12.30.
An outstanding horticulturalist with a wide variety of experience as a head gardener, lecturer, garden designer, horticultural writer and photographer, Philip now runs his own advisory business aptly called ‘Garden Reassurance’.
He will demonstrate pruning techniques and talk about suitable tree-care while tending to community trees planted some years ago by Turn Lyme Green in Anning Road and at Slopes Farm.
There is no charge for his demonstration, which is sponsored by Turn Lyme Green.
Because numbers are limited to fifteen, those who would like to attend this event are asked to register their interest in advance with Polly Benfield (01297 446066) if possible before Saturday. The first fifteen applicants will then be sent confirmation with details of where to meet.
Come to the Town Mill Garden Party on Sunday 21 April between 10.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. but be prepared to roll your sleeves up. Town Mill volunteers Bobbie Smith and Kimberly Clarke are organising a volunteer garden working party to get the garden back in shape for a garden party and plant sale on Saturday 22 June.
The Miller’s Garden located behind the Town Mill courtyard has been designed to re-create a 17th century garden. The plan creates four raised beds around a mulberry tree at their centre. Gravel paths separate the beds and join a 4ft wide path encircling the garden. Wherever possible, the aim is to use plants that would have been available to the miller and his wife in the 17th century.
Bobbie and Kimberley hope to attract new garden volunteers. There will be follow up sessions at the same time on Sunday 19 May and Sunday 16 June so anyone who loves plants and doesn’t mind giving a few hours on one or more of these days will be very welcome. And if you don’t fancy gardening but have some plants to donate to the plant sale just come along to the garden party on 22 June.
Anyone interested in volunteering should contact The Town Mill at info@townmill.org.uk or on 01297 443579.
This year we are running three coach trips that we feel will be of great interest to members and friends of our society. These trips are open to all members and non-members are invited to join us at a small temporary membership charge of £2.
Our first trip takes place on Tuesday 7th May to the Royal Horticultural Society gardens at Wisley travelling by coach, which departs from Uplyme Village Hall at 7-45 am. As our society is an affiliated member of the RHS, our members are able to visit these gardens without paying the normal admission charge so there will only be the coach fare of £15 per person to pay. To book a place on this trip please contact Brian 07831 533580 by April 19th.
The flagship garden of the RHS, Wisley captures the imagination with richly planted borders, luscious rose gardens and the state-of-the-art Glasshouse. Gifted to the Society in 1903, Wisley has evolved over time into a world-class garden. In the trials fields, the finest flowers and vegetables are identified from the countless new introductions. Elsewhere in the garden, cultivation techniques are tried and tested, and a series of model gardens answers the needs of a variety of conditions and circumstances.
Monday 17th June trip to Hidcote Manor and/or Kiftsgate Court Gardens departing by coach from Uplyme Village Hall 7-30 am. These two gardens are within walking distant of each other with entry charges of £8-50 to Hidcote (or free if you are a National Trust member), and £6 to Kiftsgate which is not an NT garden. These entry fees will be paid direct by members on arrival and the cost of the coach £13 is payable in advance. To book a place on this trip please contact Brian 07831 533580 by June 1st.
Tuesday 10th September trip to Avebury Manor and Gardens (National Trust) departing by coach from Uplyme Village Hall at 8am Entrance to gardens is £9 payable on arrival or free to NT members. The coach fare £11 is payable in advance. To book a place on this trip please contact Rob 01297 631664 by 1st September
We have been contacted by Bridport Gardening Club who have some spaces on their Coach Holiday (Sewards Coaches) to Derbyshire visiting several gardens in May.
All the available details are below – further information available from either Lyn Streeter on 01903 733273 or Monique Pasche (after March 17th) on 01303 456762.
They have been organising holidays successfully for many years so are experienced in providing a memorable experience.
If you or anyone else you know are interested ring either of the above numbers. As they are using Sewards Coaches I am sure there could be pick ups in Uplyme/Lyme if requested.
Bridport Gardening CLUB HOLIDAY TO DERBYSHIRE MAY 20TH – MAY 23RD 2013
We are planning the Club holiday to Derbyshire. Detailed below are outline details with approximate timings and cost.
The price for the holiday is £400 per person. This includes half board at the hotel for three nights, all entrance fees, transport and tips. The hotel is The Lee Wood at Buxton, one of the Best Western Hotel Group, ideally situated for visiting the highlights of the Peak District. Only ten single rooms are available, all of which have a supplement of £15 per night; a further 12 twin/double rooms have also been booked. The booking of the holiday and the rooms is on a first come first served basis.
If you are interested in attending the holiday please contact us on 01308 456762
Heavy deposits of snow around the area meant that Mary Benger’s talk on the development of Burrow Farm gardens was postponed by one week but nevertheless a good number of members turned out on the 30th January to hear Mary’s very interesting lecture about her beautiful gardens.
No snow but heavy rain greeted members and friends who attended our Barn Dance on 26th January. But despite a smaller attendance than in previous years, which meant there was more room for dancing, an enjoyable time was had by all and raised much needed funds to support our “Summer Show and Country Fayre” which takes place this year on 20th July.
Yes it was snow again when our party visited “Axe Valley Wetlands and Seaton Marshes “on 5th February but fortunately the worst of it held off until near the end of our outing, which was more than the freezing cold wind did. Despite this we enjoyed the shelter proved by the various hides where we could view many type of duck and wild foul feeding. Seaton Marshes is really worthwhile visiting with its glorious views of the river Axe, its flat walks and Visitors’ Centre which is adjacent to the sand martin and bat nesting facility currently under construction. The whole area is open to visitors 365 days a year and there is no admission charge so why not pay it a visit this spring?
Diary Dates
27th March 2013 7-30pm Uplyme Village Hall. AGM followed by “Cookery Demonstration – Wild Garlic” by Pam Corbin.
At our AGM we hope to gain some much needed new faces to join and support our current committee. We will shortly be losing Ann Prince our excellent secretary who is moving to be nearer her family, so we badly need new blood on the committee to bring fresh ideas and energy for the forthcoming years. So please think long and hard and please come to the meeting on 27th and take a seat on the committee. We usually have about ten short committee meetings a year at Uplyme Village Hall plus lending a hand at members’ meetings and society events. The more committee members we have to share the load the easier it is for everyone.
We are now taking bookings the coach trips to RHS Wisley on May 7th, Hidcote Manor & Kiftsgate Court Gardens on June 17th and Avebury Manor & Gardens on Sept. 10th. Full details of these outings and booking details can be found on your membership card or ring 07831 533580.
A small group of members braved the elements on February 5th for a winter visit to the Axe Valley Wetlands – Seaton. The weather was somewhat mixed – chilly with bright, almost sunny spells and intermittent wintry showers of rain, sleet,hail and snow. However, when it really got unpleasant we were able to take refuge in the bird hides or visitor centre.
Doug Rudge from East Devon council met us at the cemetery carpark and gave us a clear explanation of how the area had been developed so far and what was still planned. We then moved on to visit the two hides in Black Hole Marsh for a bit of bird watching. Our guide was able to help with identification, but we failed to spot anything unusual. We hoped to see a Kingfisher or a Water Vole, but no luck. The latter have been reintroduced to the area a few years ago. We were also shown the elaborate system for controlling the water level in the Marsh and maintaining the correct salinity.
After spending some time in the hides, we moved on to the main visitor centre for a welcome hot drink and to be told about the ambitious project for the next marsh development by Seaton. We were also shown the Sand Martin wall that is being constructed at the moment with the help of numerous volunteers. It is hoped that it will be ready for this summer and will be used not only by Sand Martins, but also bats and even nesting Kingfishers. Anyone interested in volunteering on the Wetlands would be most welcome. Contact (01395) 517557
It was a very interesting visit, thanks to all the explanations by our guide. Much of the access is very good and there are several buildings with seats so that on a sunny day people can just go down and watch what is going on.
Our first event of the year, Mary Benger speaking on The Development of Burrow Farm Gardens was cancelled due to the weather but will be held NEXT WEDNESDAY January 30th 7.30 – SAME TIME, SAME PLACE Uplyme Village Hall!
THE BARN DANCE on Saturday 26th is still going ahead so please support us if you can – tickets at Uplyme Garage and Stores, Serendip Bookshop Lyme Regis or phone 01297 444034
Just to remind you of the forthcoming events for the society and to say Happy New Year.
Jan 23rd (Wed) 7.30pm Talk ‘Development of Burrow Farm Gardens’ by Mary Benger – from working farm & old Roman clay pit to ten acre garden.
Members free Non Members £2 Details 01297 444034
Jan 26th (Sat) 7.30-11pm Barn Dance with Long Odds and Short Straws Band.
Tickets £8.00 (under 12s £4.00) incl. supper, available from Uplyme Stores, Serendip Bookshop, Lyme Regis or ring 01297 444034. BYO alcohol, soft drinks on sale. Almost always a sell-out, so get your tickets now and brighten up the dull days of January with a foot-stomping evening of fun!
Feb 5th (Tue) 10am -12 Visit and tour Axe Valley Wetlands- Seaton Marshes – only 15 places available. Cost £2.00 Depart in shared cars from Uplyme Village Hall 9.40am. Please ring 01297 444034 by Feb 1st to confirm. Bring binoculars if possible
Feb 27th (Wed) 7.30pm Talk ‘Plants for shade’ by Chris Birchall from Tale Valley Nursery. RHS GOLD Medallist. For more details contact 01297 444034
Members will be receiving their 2013 show schedule for our Summer Show and Country Fayre which is being held on Sat July 20th from 12 noon to 5pm – the earlier start time is the inspiration of our new show secretary, Sue Stones, to allow everyone to bring along their family and friends to enjoy the wide variety of Countryside attractions and help raise money for our chosen charity – the Axe Valley and West Dorset Ring and Ride.
With the traditional marquee on the field, full of your entries of flowers, veg, cookery and craft there will also be morris dancing, steam train rides, a falconry display, rural craft stalls and displays as well as the famous cream teas in the hall. A day to remember!
Don’t forget to read the schedule to see what classes you can enter so that you can get your seeds growing or your knitting started – after the rain of 2012 we would love to see an overflowing marquee to reward the committee for all their hard work in putting on the show.
Jenny Harding
Uplyme & Lyme Regis Horticultural Society 