WAGS NEWS
April 2004
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WAGS NEWS April 2004 |
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New in This Issue
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Regular Items
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Chairman's Piece
Welcome to the first news letter of the WAGS 'New Year'. We seem to have had a big 'Spring Clean' and 'turn out'. Several long standing stalwarts of the Society & committee have decided to 'hang up their boots' and one or two others are willing to give it a whirl. Having passed the Trips organizing on to Johnny Talbot, I was thinking of a quiet life messing about in the garden, but that was not to be. Instead I find myself being voted on as your chairman, only on condition that I had a vice-chairman who would be prepared to follow on and was fortunate enough to have the backing of Joyce Stickley. So now WAGS is under petticoat government for a while. My first month has thrown up several unexpected changes and one big crisis. I'm sorry to report that Peter Hallett is very seriously ill, and has soldiered on for far longer than he had wished. However he has now been forced to resign from the Store Manager's position forthwith. He leaves with our heartfelt thanks for all the hard work he has put in over the years and wish him a speedy recovery to better health. Both he and Brenda are in our thoughts. We have decided to run the Store, for the time being at least, on a co-operative basis with committee and members (I sincerely hope) signing up to help on a rota basis. We have had an initial meeting and have a plan in place. I'm sure it will need adapting as we go along but we are optimistic that it will work. We would welcome help from mebers; maybe on a monthly or 'now and again' basis. There will be a rota in the store and we think we shall need about six people in during the busy times and a few less in the quieter months. Please think seriously about helping. It is your Society and we need your help. We hope for offers NOW but don't trample us in the stampede!
Gilbert Talbot also decided that it was time for him to have a rest and resigned as President at the A.G.M. but will still be a committee member and organize the band concert. I'm sure you will all join me in thanking him for all the stalwart work he has done for the Society over the past fifteen years and wish him good health in his semi retirement. Peter Atkins has been voted in as our new President. You will see all the other changes in the list of officers.
Don't forget we are still looking for a Store Manager. If you would like to give it a whirl come in and let us know. You will be welcomed with open arms.
Plant Sale
Sat 15th May at Centre 70. We do hope that all members will support the plant sale in some way either by donating or buying plants and that we are able to make it a bumper sale this year. Please when you are sowing or pricking out put a few extras in the box and donate to the sale. Your contributions can be brought to the store on Friday evening between 6pm & 8pm or on the Sale day, preferably before 9am when selling begins. We will accept 'late entries'. Please do come and buy - there are sure to be many bargains. Please include plant names and also if possible a suggested price. Look forward to seeing you on the 15th.
Memorial Garden
Doug Sears has continued to tend the garden single handed and does an excellent job. I am sure though that he would welcome some extra help now and again. I am sure we would all wish to thank him very much for his continued effort on our behalf.
Store Notice Boards
Do you read the notices when you visit the store? There is always something of interest to read. We are making a special effort to keep it up to date and more attractive. Don't forget if you have something for sale or something you are wanting, we will display your advert free of charge for four weeks. If you wish to leave it longer, please let us know. Also we would like to know if you have sold or obtained the goods. In this way we can keep the information flowing.
Newington Nursery
They have extended their invitation to join their privilege club entitling members to a 10% discount. If you are interested, call in to their premises and mention you are from WAGS and they will issue you with a card. (There is no joining fee or subscription - Ed)
Iris Novell
A They seem to steer clear of blue-flowered monkshood (aconitum) and agapanthus, lime-green lady's mantle (alchemilla), both pink and blue granny's bonnet columbines (aquilegia), the blue bell flower (Campanula lactiflora), and rose-pink colchicum (mistakenly called autumn crocus). Others they are not keen on are rose-pink cyclamen, multi-coloured fucshias, crane's-bill geranims and daylilies (hemerocallis), yellow loosestrife (Lysimachia punctata), New Zealand flax (phormium), lamb's ear (Stachys byzantia) and the white-flowered yucca
Courtesy of Joyce Stickley
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Trips & Catering
Trips
As 32 people have now signed up for the trip to Malmesbury Abbey House and Garen on Sunday 25th April, I can confirm that it will definitely take place and I have formally booked the coach and arranged entrance. The cost will be £19 per person, which includes the hire of the coach, driver's tip, entrance fee to the House and Garden and coffee on arrival.
For those who do not want to bring their own food, there are a number of cafes et. both in the Abbey and Garden and in the adjoining Malmesbury town centre.
I have written a piece about our coach trips for this year, which I hope will appear in the Wallingford Magazine and will attract non-members to book.
If any more club members would like to book please contact John Talbot (see address and telephone no. in the printed edition of this newsletter) or leave a message in the Store.
John Talbot
Catering
I am still dealing with this item, and am willing to carry on for this year. It is only three events in the year and members are always very helpful. It is Anno Domini which takes its toll. I shall be canvassing help in the next newsletter for cakes etc. for the Band Concert. I shall be glad to accept offers at anytime; male and female help needed!
Iris Novell
Visit to Ball Colgrave ShowcaseTues 3rd August. I have a number of names already for this great day out, so will be able to run a coach. If you are at all interested please let me know as soon as possible. Deposits can be paid later. Probable numbers are most important at the moment.
Iris Novell
Gardening is civil and social, but it wants the vigour and freedom of the forest and the outlaw ~Henry David Thoreau
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Show Time
The time has come to publish any changes to the Show Schedule for September.
We have decided not to make many alterations this year, as the current formula seems to work quite well.
Firstly, there will be an additional Trophy this year. The Eddie Small Shield will be presented for the Best in Show chosen by our RHS Judges from Members Only classes.
There have been suggestions to try and attract more novice entries in the vegetables section so we have decided to add two additional classes. There are also a few minor changes together with titles that need some thought or forward planning.
Finally there is an additional sponsored Section for a Planted Container, which will be open to all.
Details of all alterations are as follows:
Section A - Vegetables - Members Only
Section F - Specialities - Open
Section I - Art & Craft
Section J - Photography
Section K - Children up to 7 Years
Section L - Children 7 to 11 Years
Section M - Children 12 to 16 Years
Section N - Floral Art - Open
Titles will be as follows:
Section O - Container Gardening - Open
Section P - Taste & Smell - Members Only
Bernard Novell
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Shop Talk
As you will have read in other reports, we are having a few problems at the moment. There is nothing we cannot handle but we do need some help from members. For instance this morning we had a lorry with over 200 bags of compost to unload and what I would like is a list of about 12 members who would be willing to come and help. It would only be about six times a year.
Seed potatoes have gone well and at the moment there are only a few bags left. Not such good news about onions and shallots because there are still quite a few of these still unsold.
Spring bulbs corms and tubers etc. will be on sale now at quite reasonable prices so I hope you will come and have a look.
There are the following in stock:
Dobies plants will soon be landing on your doorsteps. There will be an invoice with them, so please come to the store and pay.
There are a couple of packets of Dobies seeds in the store which must have come after the main order. We do not know who they belong to, so please check that your order is complete.
Les Novell
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Crossword Answers
Apologies to those looking forward to another challenge, but space does not allow for a crossword at this time.
Congratulations to Joyce Stickley who had the highest number of correct answers. Many thanks to all who submitted entries.
Answers to January 2004 crossword below
| Across | Down |
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2 Challenger 7 Chartwell 9 Inch 10 and 23a Veronica Persica 12 Sheperds Purse 13 Hartland Abbey 14 Dray 17 Lawnmower 20 and 19a Dutch Elm 22 Chitting 25 Potager 27 Brunswick 29 Solnum |
3 Lillium Hansonii 4 Runner 5 Highclere 6 Sugar Rae 8 Fragaria Vesca 11 Ashy 12 Stream 14 Dandelions 16 Image 18 Potatoes 21, 15 and 1 Helen Letitia Johnson 24 Circle 26 Rill |
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W.A.G.S Programme of Events 2004
| Sun | April 25th 2004 | Abbey House Garden - Malmesbury, Wiltshire |
| Weds | July 14th 2004 | Eltham Palace, South London |
| Tues | Aug 3rd 2004 | Ball Colegrave - Garden Enthusiasts Day |
| Sat | Aug 8th 2004 | Band Concert |
| Sun | October 17th 2004 | RHS Wisley - Apple Week |
| Sat | Sept 11th 2004 | WAGS Show |
| Fri | Feb 11th 2005 | AGM followed by cheese and wine |
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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.
Changes are underlined.
1. Newington Garden Nursery, Warborough to Stadhampton Road 10%
((Join their privilege club - no joining fee - to participate))
2. Woodcote Garden Centre, Reading Road, Woodcote 10%
(Shrubs, plants and aquatic plants, NOT with other offers)
3. Toad Hall, Marlow Road, Henley (Every day) 5%
(Shrubs and herbaceous plants, NOT with any other offers)
4. Norman Cox & Partners, Scotts Common, Checkendon 5%
(Most items but check at cash desk, NOT with any other offers)
5. Turner Groundscare contact 07740 279471 5%-10%
(Depends on item, Not Sundays, NOT with any other offers)
6. Wears Nursery, Brightwell-cum-Sotwell 10%
(Shrubs, plants, trees, alpines, composts, bark and fertilisers)
7. Root 1, Brightwell-cum-Sotwell 10% Mondays and Tuesdays only
(Shrubs and herbaceous plants, NOT with any other offers)
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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Lt. Col. Gilbert Talbot
First President of WAGS
Gilbert resigned as first president of WAGS at the 29th AGM on 13th February 2004, citing his forthcoming 86th birthday as one reason for standing down in favour of younger blood.
He was born in Devon in 1918. After a thoroughly English education at Eton, he went to work for Twinings Tea Company in London in 1936, but shortly afterwards joined the Army in the 14th/20th Kings Hussars Regiment; following in his grandfather's footsteps. He was at Sandhurst in the Officer Cadet Corps in September 1939, and was commissioned in January 1940. His first posting was to India in March 1940, moving to Persia (Iran) in June 1941. Promotion to Adjutant followed in November 1941. He saw service in Iraq and Italy, Germany, Libya and Cyprus. The Cyprus posting coincided with the start of the ENOSIS campaign for union with Greece. He gained command of the regiment while in Germany. Gilbert retired from the Army in 1966 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel having achieved his ambition of commanding his own regiment. Gilbert was instrumental in securing an acquittal for General Student, a German Paratrooop commander accused of War Crimes in Crete.
His next career move was as Secretary of the Albany; a set of chambers near Piccadilly Circus, which he ran on behalf of its residents. His sister bought Pleasant Cottage in 1976 and it was at this time he frequented Brightwell-cum-Sotwell at weekends. On his retirement from the Albany he moved permanently to Pleasant Cottage.
It was during this time that he joined the fledgling Wallingford Allotments and Gardens Society. Gilbert was elected onto the committee at the 9th AGM in 1983 when membership was at 840, having grown from 268 in 1975 and the fee was 50p! The office of President was created at the 14th AGM held in November 1988 and Gilbert presided over his first AGM in November 1989. During his term in office membership fees have risen to £2.50 in 1994; but membership numbers have declined to around 400. The assets of the society have however continued to increase steadily - and now stand at a healthy £21800.
Although Gilbert has retired from the Presidency, he remains on the committee. Thank you Gilbert for steering the Society so well over the last 15 years and we all wish you good health in your 'retirement'.
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Editorial
The Last Word
The AGM in February saw a number of changes to the committee with the President and Chairman both standing down, followed by a general re-shuffle. For the latest committee please refer to page 2 of the printed edition of this newsletter.
We are now desperately in need of a Store Manager. Although we have been seeking volunteers for the past year, it is now even more necessary. Your committee have worked out a rota for the time being but we really do need someone at the helm.
My special thanks go to Gilbert who very kindly agreed to an article appearing in the newsletter.
During my research I found that the membership fee has remained at £2.50 for 10 years! What good value for money
As always, articles, trip reports, recipes and photos are always welcome. Drop them into the Store - they will get to me, or, for those connected to the internet, email me at tim@tpking.fsnet.co.uk.
Tim King
WAGS Web Site
A reminder that the WAGS web site (www.cranfordcomputers.co.uk/wags) has pages reserved for contributions from Society members. In particular we would like items for the "Gardener’s Almanac" and "Q and A" pages (which are both currently empty), and pictures of your garden, or gardens visited on WAGS trips, for the Gallery. Please e-mail contributions to myron.edwards@virgin.net, or post them to me (see address in the printed edition of this newsletter). Any suggestions for improvements or additions to the site will also be most welcome.Myron Edwards
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