WAGS NEWS April 2003

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Chairman's Piece

It came as rather a surprise to be asked by many members to stand for election as Chairman of your society.

Having agreed to attend the meeting of the committee on February 17th I was still unsure that I really wanted one of the most important positions within the organisation, however, like many more members I was concerned that there was a possibility that closure was looming.

After a bit of persuasion I agreed to be nominated for chairman this was agreed by the committee. What do I write as my first message to you?

First of all on behalf of all members, grateful thanks to Bernard for all the enthusiasm and dedication that he has given over the years for the benefit of everyone in the Society. He will be a hard act to follow. Thank goodness he continues as Vice-chairman to guide me along the way.

A new year has now begun and with it many challenges. First, we must ensure that we not only maintain our existing members, but also strive to encourage more allotment holders and gardeners to join the society. Secondly, we need to take a thorough search into the way the society looks after its members. How many members use the store? Is the store user friendly? Do we offer all the right products in our store, although well stocked, are the products we sell at a competitive price? Why does Iris sometimes have difficulty selling the many outings that she spends so much time organizing? All these questions and many more need to be addressed in the coming months for the benefit of our members and to maintain a successful society in the years ahead.

It is a challenging year and with the Plant Sale on May 17th, Band Concert on August 10th and the Annual Show on September 13th I am convinced that with your help, participation and support, our hard working and dedicated committee will ensure that the society has a successful year.

Denis Strange.

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Show Time

Preparations for the 2003 Autumn Show are well underway and we are fortunate to have Ginny Walton join the committee as Assistant Show Secretary.

I like to publish the titles of certain classes in this newsletter so that exhibitors can have the maximum amount of time to take their photographs, paint a picture or, in the case of the children, prepare their entry. So here they are:

SECTION 'I' - Art and Craft - Open
66. "Painting Nature" Any media painting, i.e. oil , water colour, pencil drawing, pen & ink etc. or mixed media.
67. A Hand Made item not exceeding 60 x 60 cm (2' x 2') - no height restriction

SECTION 'J' - Photography - Members Only
Maximum size of print 18 cm x 13 cm (7" x 5"), un-framed, un-mounted.
68. Colour Print "The Great Outdoors"
69. Colour Print "Work or Play?"

SECTION 'K' - Children Only - Aged up to 7 years. - Open
Child must be under 7 on the day of the show.
70. A Figure, Animal or Human, made from vegetable produce.
Only 6 pieces of match allowed for fastening.
No artificial adornments to be used.
71. Cress Grown in a decorated eggshell.
72. A Collage entitled "Insect", using materials of your own choice
73. A picture entitled "Animal's Home" using paint or crayons

SECTION 'L' - Children Only - Aged 7 to 11 years. - Open
Child must be under 12 on the day of the show.
74. Garden in a seed tray Size not to exceed 25 x 41 cm
75. Home Made Biscuits 6, with decoration.
76. Mini Scarecrow Maximum height 50 cm 77. A Photograph entitled "Outdoor Games"

SECTION 'M' - Children Only - Aged 12 to 16 years. - Open
Child must be under 17 on
78. A Photograph entitled "Summer"
79. A Party Food Item, to include the recipe
80. Decorate a hat using natural materials
81. A Poster entitled "Healthy Eating", neatly presented on an A4 page

Please note that I have removed the Black & White photograph class because of lack of entries in previous shows.

I would also like to thank the Committee for their support during my years as Chairman and wish Denis luck with his appointment.

Bernard Novell

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Trips & Catering

Trips

As many of you already know, I have agreed to organise the trips for this year - but this will definitely be my last. Please will someone come forward with a view to taking the lead next year - (always supposing WAGS is still in existence then). We could work together for a year - new ideas are always welcome.

Our first trip to the RHS Plant Road Show on Sunday 13th April has proved popular, so 48 members will be taking to the road then - hoping for an informative and enjoyable day.

Other trips are listed in the programme and several members have already reserved places, so do consider a day out and bring friends and family, all are welcome. Our next trip is Wilton House & Gardens in June so do book early and also I would like to know if you are interested in the Ball Colegrave Showcase day, as places for this are always at a premium.

Catering

The saga of the lost plate continues.

PLEASE check your cupboards as I still have a very nice plate looking for its rightful owner, and a rather sad owner looking for her lost blue and white plate.

As usual I am also staring my plea for helpers at the Band Concert in August and the Show in September. You always rise to the occasion and do us proud with your baking etc. But it is helpful to know in advance of your offers to save duplications and over catering. We always get many ohs and ahs and compliments about the goodies on offer. So thank you in advance - but do let me know if you are offering. This again will be my last year - so what about an understudy and backer-up ready to take over after the A.G.M. next year?

Iris Novell

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Gardens To Visit

Here are some gardens that members and friends may like to visit. Please check their opening times before embarking on a journey as opening times may change. Rofford Manor Little Milton, Oxon, OX44 7QQ - open under the National Gardens Scheme. Waddesdon Manor nr Aylesbury, Bucks, HP18 0JH. Tel: 01296 653203, www.waddesdon.org.uk Grounds open Wed - Sun during certain months. Frith Hill Northchapel, West Sussex, GU28 9JE. Tel: 01428 707531. Open under the National Gardens Scheme. Wickham Place Farm Wickham Bishops, nr. Witham, Essex, CM8 3JB. Tel: 01621 891282 Shrubland Hall gardens Coddenham, Suffolk, IP6 9QQ. Open Sundays, April to September. Hampton Court Hope under Dinmore, Leominster, HR6 0PN. Opens April 2003. Tel: 01568 797777 for details.

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Recipe

This recipe has been sent in by someone who has been doing a different kind of digging during the winter months. From a newspaper cutting over 64 years ago!

Parsnip Wine

Clean 6lb. of parsnips and peel them. Cut into small pieces and boil in a gallon of water until quite soft. If the lid is not placed on the saucepan when cooking the parsnips, the flavour is very much improved.

Pour off the liquid and add hot water to make it up to a gallon if necessary, and add 3lb of preserving sugar. Boil again for 40 minutes and allow to cool. When almost cold, spread a piece of hot toast with yeast and add. Cover the pan for a fortnight, but stir daily.

After a fortnight the liquor should be poured into a cask, but the bung left off until all hissing has ceased. Then secure the bung. Allow to stand for six months, then bottle.

From the Oxford Mail, Thursday 12 January 1939.

Thank you for sharing this with us - please get in touch as we have lost your details - Ed

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Answers to January 2003 Crossword

About the January crossword clue:- "Fallen Arches in Northern Ireland"

The well-known Spanish Garden arches at the famed Mount Stewart gardens in Northern Ireland are to be felled following a serious attack by cypress aphid (Cinaria cupressi). The arches were planted in 1976 and consist of two rows of 11 x Cupressocyparis leylandii (Leyland cypress). The problem at the National Trust property was first recognised four years ago, but the damage has progressed rapidly this year and more than 60 percent of the trees have now been affected by dieback. The arches are approximately 10m (33ft) high and will be replaced with young trees during the next few years. Alan Power, Head Gardener at Mount Stewart says, ‘The arches in the Spanish Garden are a wonderful architectural feature; they add a great sense of achievement and maturity to the garden. When working with nature and living organisms we need to expect the unexpected and plan for long-term conservation. The arches’ decline is unfortunate but forms part of the challenge in managing such great gardens.’

For information about Mount Stewart, tel: (02842) 788387.

Copied from the RHS web site - Ed

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Shop Talk

The Store will continue to open as normal, with Peter remaining as Manager, but on a reduced time basis. Doug Sears will remain as Assistant Store Manager. He will be assisted by a group of volunteers operating on a rota basis. We still require someone to take on the overall running of the Store from Peter and we also need more volunteers to help run the Store on the days that it trades. The Committee have agreed to monitor the situation and review the arrangements at the end of the current trading year. To all intents and purposes it will be 'business as usual' for the time being.

The Committee

Our supplier has informed us of more deletions from the range of products available. Among those to go are Jeyes Fluid and Armillatox. I do not have information on what will replace them at present. Also Creosote is being withdrawn from 1st June.

Potatoes, Onions and shallots - these are all still available.

Summer bulbs

These should be in the store now.

Begonias 55p each

Dahlias 60p each (except for Bishop of Llandaff - 80p each)

Nerines & Cyclamen 50p each

Dobies Plants

If you have ordered plants from Dobies, please come into the Store to pay for them as soon as possible after delivery.

Peter Hallett

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Plant Sale News

The WAGS plant sale this year will be on 17th May 2003 between 9.00am and 12 noon. Please bring surplus plants, flowers and vegetables to the Store early Saturday morning, or better still, the previous Friday evening between 6.00pm and 8.00pm.

Thank you.

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W.A.G.S Programme of Events 2003

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Discounts

Discounts Discounts are currently available at the following businesses (if you ask first), on the production of your CURRENT WAGS Membership Card, which must be shown before the transaction is started.

1. Newington Garden Nursery, Warborough to Stadhampton Road 10%
(Shrubs, herbaceous plants, pot plants, composts, bark, fertilisers)
2. Woodcote Garden Centre, Reading Road, Woodcote 10%
(Shrubs and plants, use with existing promotions)
3. Toad Hall, Marlow Road, Henley (Weekdays only) 5%
(Shrubs and herbaceous plants, NOT with any other offers)
4. Norman Cox & Partners, Scotts Common, Checkendon 10%
(All items except Fence & Trellis panels)
5. Turner Groundscare contact 07740 279471 up to 20%
(discount on new machinery only)
6. Wears Nursery, Brightwell-cum-Sotwell 10%
(Shrubs, plants, trees, alpines, composts, bark and fertilisers)

Other businesses are under review. Please ask if discount is available and show your card. If you find a business which offers discount that is not listed, please let us know so that we can obtain terms in writing and publish details in the next Newsletter.

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Editorial

The Last Word

We extend a warm welcome to Denis Strange as Chairman; a name familiar to many. This appointment will help to stabilise the committee but we do still need a Store Manager. We are not out of the woods yet. Please read again the preface to Shop Talk on page 9.

A number of you expressed interest in where I search for the clues. I use recent back copies of Garden News, Kitchen Garden, The English Garden, RHS magazines and a dictionary! Occasionally a clue provokes discussion about the subject. One such clue was in the last newsletter and concerned some topiary arches in the famous Mount Stewart gardens in Northern Ireland. More information is on page 8.

I have been asked to put the numbers of letters by the clues to help you crossword addicts.

Please do not be reticent in sending in your attempts. Up to now, we have rarely had a fully completed crossword, so don’t despair if it is incomplete.

Would the gentleman who handed in to the Store the cutting from the newspaper with the two wine recipes please get in touch, as we have lost your details and would like to acknowledge your contribution.

Now then, members, have you been to visit a garden or stately home recently (your own included)? I would like to publish your comments on the visit. I am always willing to find space for members’ comments on visits, recipes and gardening snippets. Remember this is your newsletter. Drop them into the Store - they will get to me, or, for those connected to the internet, email me (see the printed copy of the newsletter for email address).

Tim King

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