Allotment Updates

Since the article about vacant Allotment plots in the September Bulletin a number of people have shown an interest in obtaining a plot and in particular the smaller 5 rod plots. At the same time it has become apparent that some of those showing interest are younger residents of the village who have enthusiasm but limited experience of growing vegetables. The Allotment Committee is keen to support such new plot holders and is proposing to introduce a “buddy” scheme whereby those who feel they need advice and help can be paired up with an established and experienced plot holder. We already have one example of this arrangement working well. If interested you can contact Terry Claydon on 01206 242124 or Email terryclaydon@aol.com.

Please also check our webpage for updates on November bonfire date and also availbilty of horse manure to allotment holders.

Harry Stone (Chairman of Allotment Committee)

All Gardeners' Alert! Plant Sale 21st May

Come along at 7.30pm on 21st May to the Orpen Memorial Hall to bag the bargains from selections of bedding; fruit and vegetables; perennials and shrubs.  And not forgetting the bric-à-brac stall offering a host of second-hand goodies for your garden.   Entry is free and everyone’s welcome.

If you enjoy a day out visiting gardens of special renown; why not join us on our coach trip to Hatfield House, Park and Gardens on Wednesday 23 May.

We have seats still available for this visit, departing the Orpen Hall at 9.30am and leaving the venue at 4.30pm. Inclusive cost - £27 if you’re a non-member. Contact Terry 01206 242124 or Valerie 01206 855450 to book.

Fresh veg all year round?

The West Bergholt Allotment Holders have just published some useful guidance on how to manage a vegetable plot and when to sow seeds for a year-round supply. Find out more on the  West Bergholt Allotment Holders' webpage.

Flower shows and Autumn

‘Around the Flower Shows’ was this month’s speaker topic at the West Bergholt Gardeners Association meeting when Richard Ford delighted his audience with an informative account of 28 years’ experiences of both exhibiting and visiting national and county shows.

RHS Hyde Hall

‘A Taste of Autumn’ was the theme for last weekend’s coach trip to RHS Hyde Hall by thirty-five members. A celebration of everything that is autumn was on offer - wonderful colours in the garden, fresh fruit and vegetables and traditional country crafts. The sweeping panoramas beneath big open skies gave way to an eclectic range of inspirational horticultural styles from traditional to modern.

'United Women'

Visitors were delighted by a ‘mystery in stone’ sculpture exhibition. Displays punctuated the gardens, adding interest and fascination. Left - ‘United Women’ by Washington Musonza representing the importance of coming together.

The Association's next meeting will be on Monday 21 November with speaker Roger Harvey presenting on 'Hellebores in the Winter Garden'.

For further enquires on the Association please contact: valerielofthouse1@hotmail.co.uk or terryclaydon@aol.com tel 01206 242124.

Gardening - Beeleigh Update

Beeleigh Abbey Gardens

An historical and peaceful retreat of three acres of riverside gardens in a delightful setting dating from the 13th century was enjoyed by 32 members of teh west Bergholt Gardeners Association on their July evening visit to Beeleigh Abbey Gardens, Maldon.  The original abbey was founded in 1180 for white robed canons of the strict Premonstratensian order.  The energetic commitment to Beeleigh by the owners and their staff was reflected in the splendid show of English old roses; mixed borders; cottage garden; wild flower meadow; river walk; vegetable and fruit production and water features.

Interested in visiting the gardens? They are next open on 8 & 22 July; 5 & 19 August and 2 & 30 September 10.30am to 4.30pm – entry £4. Refreshments available/ free parking. Information available on http://visitmaldon.co.uk/beeleigh-abbey/ - telephone: 07779 223321.

For details on the Gardener's Association's meetings and outings contact Valerie Lofthouse, Chair: tel. 01206 855450 - valerielofthouse1@hotmail.co.uk or Terry Claydon, Treasurer: tel. 01206 242124 - terryclaydon@aol.com.

Ebullient & exuberant gardens

Ebullient and Exuberant – aptly described the Old Vicarage Gardens, East Ruston when 52 members and guests visited this week. As we left one beautiful ‘themed’ garden we were enticed into the next. We felt we had travelled many continents seeing Echium pininana from the Canary Islands; Eschonaria yuccoides from Mexico; agaves, aloes, puyas and cacti in the Arizona ‘Desert Wash’; native cordylines and phormiums in the New Zealand garden and a South African flavour in the Exotic section.

Aeoniums and succulents in
the North Garden

Feeling more at home, we ambled through areas of woodland; adored the fragrances in the rose garden; admired with envy, ʽmega’ sized lettuces in the highly productive vegetable patch. A walk into a meadow of cornflowers threw out a blue haze whilst in the wildflower meadow hardy geraniums and other herbaceous plants competed with the grass. And this is just a brief description of all we sampled and enjoyed.

Beeleigh Abbey Gardens, Maldon – will be our next outing on the evening of Tuesday 5 July. The three acres of riverside gardens are set in a picturesque and historic setting dating from the 13th century.

For details on our meetings and outings contact Valerie Lofthouse, Chair: tel. 01206 855450 - valerielofthouse1@hotmail.co.uk or Terry Claydon, Treasurer: tel. 01206 242124 - terryclaydon@aol.com.

Gardening update

The West Bergholt Gardeners' Association thanks everyone for supporting their April Plant Sale. From funds raised they are donating to two village organisations and Essex Air Ambulance. Next year’s sale will be on 21 May 2012.

Natalie Finch delighted her audience in a virtual tour of her garden of roses at the Association's May meeting. Members shared her knowledge, passion and romanticised in a journey of beauty and colour landscaped by old English roses.

Wickham Place Farm Gardens

A leisurely stroll in Wickham Place Farm ancient walled gardens, dating from 1706 and 14 acres of woodland was enjoyed by members this week. Theirr admission costs were donated by the owner to charities supported by the National Garden Scheme.

All seats are sold for the trip in June to East Ruston Old Vicarage Gardens.

Beeleigh Abbey Gardens, Maldon will be visited on Tuesday 5 July at 7.00pm. Three acres of riverside gardens in a picturesque and historic setting dating from the 13th century.

Growing as a Community is this year’s theme for RHS’s Dig Together Day in September. The Gardeners’ Association will undertake to improve an authorised public area in the village. Updates and publicity on this project will follow.

Top Ten Trees of Colchester is the topic of speaker Ian Baalham at the Association's AGM on 19 September.

For details on our meetings and activities contact the Chair – valerielofthouse1@hotmail.co.uk or the Treasurer – terryclaydon@aol.com.

Wildlife & Summer Gardens

‘The Wildlife Man’ – Barry Kaufmann-Wright, delighted his audience at the March meeting. He spoke in depth on ‘Wildlife in the Garden’ punctuated with humorous anecdotes and experiences drawn from his long career as an Essex Wildlife Crime Officer. After his presentation of slides on both the friendly and the lesser welcomed garden visitors, members took the opportunity to purchase greetings cards and books by Barry, including his autobiography.

Next month is our ANNUAL PLANT SALE on Monday 18 April at 7.30pm. Arrive early at the Orpen Hall to bag the bargain plants and garden bric-à-brac items. Any donations would be gratefully received at the hall at 5.00pm on the sale day.

Wickham Place Farm Gardens

Join us on our summer outings to:

• Wickham Place Farm Gardens, Wickham Bishops on Wednesday 18 May at 2.30pm. 14 acre site featuring 2 acre walled garden and large mixed woodland. Renowned for wisterias.
• East Ruston Old Vicarage Gardens on Wednesday 15 June at 2.00pm. Remarkable 32 acre garden incorporating formal design, enormous decorative exuberance and brilliant planting.



Beeleigh Abbey Gardens

• Beeleigh Abbey Gardens, Maldon on Tuesday 5 July at 7.00pm. Three acres of riverside gardens in a picturesque and historic setting dating from the 13th century.

For details on our meetings and outings contact the Chair – valerielofthouse1@hotmail.co.uk or the Treasurer – terryclaydon@aol.com.

Allotments Update

Following their February meeting the Allotment Committee have published their minutes online on the village website.  Find out about inspections, rents and more by checking them out.  There is also a useful link to seasonal gardening tips.

Spring is in sight...

February is when many gardeners begin the new growing year. Sowing seeds and seeing tiny green shoots appear is a perennial thrill.

But are you considering the design or redesign of your garden?
 
Come along to the February meeting of the West Bergholt Gardeners’ Association on Monday the 21st at 7.30pm in the Orpen Hall.  Hilary Thomas, Garden Designer, Lecturer, Writer will give a digital presentation on ‘Garden and Planting Design’.  Visitors are always welcome; £3 entry.

If you love snowdrops (Galanthus) there are ample opportunities to visit magnificent displays in our region. Among some of the best are:

• Chippenham Park Gardens, Cambs (pictured above) – www.chippenhamparkgardens.info/snowdrops.htm 
• Hedingham Castle, Essex – www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk
• Marks Hall, Essex – www.markshall.org.uk
• Easton Lodge, Essex – www.eastonlodge.co.uk
• Ickworth Hall, Suffolk AND Angelsey Abbey, Cambridge – www.nationaltrust.co.uk

RHS FREE DAY – FRIDAY 4 MARCH
 
Experience any of the RHS’s four gardens for FREE. Our local Hyde Hall Garden at Rettendon opens its gates from 10am – 3pm when gardening staff will be on hand to offer advice on seasonal tasks. www.rhs.org.uk/Gardens/Hyde-Hall.

Garden & Planting Design

Members and visitors enjoyed an interactive quiz at the December meeting of the Gardeners Club, followed by a knife and fork buffet. The scheduled speaker was unable to attend at short notice.

The next meeting will be held on Monday 21 February, when Hilary Thomas, Garden Designer, Lecturer, Writer, will speak on “Garden and Planting Design”.

DON’T FORGET the summer outing to East Ruston Old Vicarage Garden, North Norfolk planned for Wednesday 15 June 2011. The coach will leave the Orpen Hall at 9.30am, stopping on route at Taverham Garden Centre. And depart East Ruston at 5.40pm. Cost is £18.50 for coach and entry. Non-members are also welcome. Further information obtainable from terryclaydon@aol.com.

Joining our organisation is easy and inexpensive at £8 per year; visitor entry is £3 per meeting. For all details on the Association and its programme, contact Valerie Lofthouse, Chair at valerielofthouse1@hotmail.co.uk or Terry Claydon, Treasurer (above).

Allotment Tips

Gardeners and farmers are never satisfied with the weather. Despite some long dry spells early in the season and then a wet period, it has been a good productive season for most of us at the allotments. The weeds seem to have been harder to control than ever but amongst them all everything from potatoes to cabbages and courgettes have cropped well. With all but the winter vegetables left to harvest plot holders can begin to turn their minds to next season. The manure has arrived and digging can begin.

Tips for the winter months:

• Begin to lift leeks as required and store carrots in peat or sand.
• Remove weeds such as the deadly nightshade before they drop their seeds but others such as chickweed can be dug in deeply.
• Broad beans can be sown in late autumn for an early crop, but might need some protection, otherwise sow again in February.
  
• Plant shallots on the shortest day and then harvest them on the longest day.
  
• Prune autumn raspberries and reduce the dead wood in black currant bushes by about a third.
  
• Plan for next year, using a three year rotation if possible. Peruse the catalogues and order seeds and potatoes.

A good internet link for further advice can be found at http://www.allotment.org.uk/garden_month/garden_october.php

Allotment Holders Site Committee

Gardeners' travels

The West Bergholt Gardeners Association have been getting out & about with 4 summer visits recently. The first in May, to the flagship RHS garden at Wisley, provided the opportunity to appreciate the huge diverse plant collection.

In June a party visited Olivers Gardens (the lake pictured right), Colchester for the National Gardens Scheme. Philip Morant’s description of the garden in his 18th Century 'History of Essex' was considered to be as apt today by the owner. A garden tour culminated in refreshments on the terrace.

Also in June members visited Cants of Colchester Rose Field. As Britain’s leading rose specialist, members received professional advice on propagation, maintenance and rose types. Splendid displays of colour and fragrances were most appreciated.

On a July evening Kings Seeds, Kelvedon, a leading supplier of vegetable, flower, herb and Sweet Pea seed since 1888, welcomed members. Our host informed us on his company’s interesting history and stages of seed production during a conducted tour.

Next meeting is on 20 September at 7.30pm in the Orpen Hall. To find out more about the association visit the village website at http://www.westbergholt.net/gardeners.htm.

No Salt & Lineker here

The next meeting of the Gardeners' Association is on Monday 17 May at 7.30pm in the Orpen Memorial Hall.

Wormingford farmer Robert Strathern will talk about the successful development of Fairfields Farm Crisps under the title "Potato Growing and Crisp Production".

Gardeners Association Programme of Events

The village Gardeners Association has recently announced its programme of events for 2008~2009 as follows:

2008
September "Bedding plants-their history and uses" Margaret Willis
October "Your gardening questions answered" Steve Canham
November "Companion planting" Matthew Tanton Brown
December Club Members Social Evening "A Seasonal Tale" Mike Dodsworth

2009
February "What to grow...new for 2009" Andrew Tokeley
March "The changing seasons at Marks Hall" Clare Heyes
April PLANT SALE
May "Fuchsias" Bill Wye

All meetings take place on the 3rd Monday of the month starting at 7:30 pm in the Orpen Hall - if you are interested then read more about the association and how to contact them on the village website here.

Gardeners Club - October Update

The next meeting of the association is on Monday 15 October when Steve Canham will talk about Tree Cultivation. Please note that the childrens' paintings and pumpkin growing competition will be judged in the Orpen Memorial Hall on Saturday 27 October.

Gardeners Club - September Update

The new season of the village Gardeners Association begins on Monday 17 September in the Orpen Memorial Hall at 7.30pm. Speaker Bill Wye will talk about the cultivation and care of fuchsias. New members most welcome.

Gardeners' Association

The village Gardeners' Association programme ended in mid June with members and guests spending an enjoyable afternoon in the gardens of Helmingham Hall Suffolk. The members' stall at the village fayre attracted 50 young entrants to the painting and pumpkin growing competitions. The latter to be judged later in the year. £300 has been donated to St Helena Hospice following the club's annual plant sale.

Monday 17 September sees the start of the new programme in the Orpen Memorial Hall beginning at 7.30pm. Following the AGM Bill Wye will talk about fuchsias. Visitors and new members welcome.

Gardeners

The Gardeners' Association reported a good attendance at the pre-Christmas Club social evening in December in the Orpen Memorial Hall. The quiz was followed by festive fare and a sale of plants and gardening items. The first meeting of the new year takes place on Monday February 19 at 7.30pm when Matthew Tanton Brown from The Place for Plants will talk about Plants for Problem Places. Visitors and potenial members are always welcome.