The Club Year 2024 in Review 

The Chairman's Report from the 2025 AGM

We started 2024 with a speaker and topic that would give us additional pleasure later in the year - Graham Bowyer gave us a cultural and visual journey through ‘Japanese Gardens’ but teased us at the end of his talk with a short video of his own Japanese-inspired garden in Fleet.  This then became a garden visit for our members at the beginning of May and we were able to see first-hand just how tranquil and beautiful a Japanese garden can be.

Whilst Graham may have transported us to far-away lands, Barry Newman transported us forward in time to August with some expert tips on ‘Preparing for your Show’ – a timely reminder on how to get the best from your flowers and vegetables on the show bench.

March and April saw two talks on plant types for the garden.  Firstly, David Ford showed us some beautiful examples of ‘Chaenomeles’ or Japanese Quince of which he holds the National Collection, and then Liz Gibbison, the Chair of the British Clematis Society showed us the types and diversity of ‘Clematis’.

Paul Patton made a splash in May with his talk on ‘Aquatics for All’, but it was Eddie Bailey in June that I think gave the best received and informative talk of the year.  ‘The Soil Food Web’ was a venture into the microscopic and macroscopic world that inhabits organic matter in our soil.  With, thankfully, more appreciation of the complex interactions of organisms that inhabit our soil, and the effect they have on plants and animals, we can do so much more to reduce our dependence on inorganic fertilisers and improve biodiversity.

Swans are a majestic sight on our lakes and rivers but like so much of our natural world, they face many dangers.  In July, Cindy Smulders showed us how ‘Swan Lifeline’ can care for and rehabilitate sick and injured swans in our area.

As usual, our ‘Summer Show and Social’ at Fairlands Community Centre was a chance to celebrate what we have in our own gardens.  With 32 members entering 189 different exhibits, the show was our biggest yet.

As Summer turned to Autumn it was fitting to have Steve Edney present a talk on ‘Salvias’ – the show plant of the season, and for Alan Williams to present on ‘A Veg Grower’s Year’.  Autumn tends to be the end of most vegetable crops and it was a timely reminder of the need for crop rotation and for planning – something equally important for our flower beds.

We completed our speaker programme with Jon Evans giving us the imagined feel of clear mountain air in our lungs and the beautiful sight of ‘Alpines’.  Despite being typically small and dainty, they are surprisingly hardy when given good drainage.

The year ended with our ‘Christmas Social’, as is traditional, and we enjoyed some good games, great mulled wine and mince pies, and excellent company of our fellow members.

I hope that you have continued to find our programme of speakers entertaining and informative.  We are also lucky to combine these monthly talks with various social events including the Club Lunch at Gorse Hill Hotel and the Plant Sale, and we are indebted to Gill and Mel for hosting the Summer Barbecue and to Nigel West, Barbara Boyse, and Valerie Wild for opening their beautiful gardens to us on the Members Gardens’ Open Day.

The activities and monthly meetings would not be possible without the incredible help of the Committee and the many contributions from Members including the provision of the raffle prizes and the assistance with teas and coffees.  I would particularly like to thank Jennifer Collins for providing all the supplies for the teas and coffees and to Linda Fry for collecting the church keys every month.  I would also particularly like to thank Pauline Rowland for her wonderful contributions to the Committee and for championing the Raffle for the past many years, and to Lesley for taking on the mantle for this.

Finally, I would like to thank all of you, our members, for making Worplesdon Garden Club the best garden club in the area (although I may be biased) and I look forward to another great year in 2025.

Tim Bonnert, Chairman    11th February 2025