WAGS NEWS

April 2009

Chairman's Piece

I can’t believe that, as I type this, it is the end of February already, and quite an eventful winter seems to be behind us. I suppose we can’t count on that just yet! What with it being colder and having snow followed by flooding. Still I suppose it doesn’t really compare to the ‘old days’ like when we had six weeks of snow in February on a regular basis!

So, with spring just around the corner (well and truly here by the time you read this), things are looking brighter in more ways than one. I am pleased to say that the plea for help didn’t fall on deaf ears this time. A number of people came forward to offer their services, and we now have a new look Committee for 2009 raring to get WAGS running along smoothly again.

Following a very well attended AGM on Friday 13th February, the superstitions associated with such a date were unfounded. So it is with a certain amount of relief and pleasure that I welcome four new Committee members to the Team.

Two of our long standing Committee members stood down at the AGM. Many of you will have mixed feelings about Bill Harvey going after over 21 years as Treasurer. I pay tribute to his meticulous bookkeeping and clear reporting that has been his trademark for as long as I have known him. We will miss Bill at our monthly meetings but I know it is the right time for him to ‘let go’!

As for Tim King who has left after eight years: Tim took on the Newsletter and made it his own, bringing a new style and his unique sense of humour to our coffee tables. I am please that Tim has offered to keep doing his bit for the Show, so we have not seen the last of him, thank goodness! I know you will all join me in thanking them both for their hard work during their ‘stints’.

So a new start, with plenty to look forward to during the year. With Toni’s Trips, a full calendar of events and Frances’ new look Newsletter, WAGS is on the up.

On that note, if any members would like to receive their Newsletter by e-mail, Colin will be collecting e-mail addresses when members renew subscriptions. If you would like to sign up to this but have already paid your 2009 subs, please send your e-mail address to wags@bernyn.plus.com so that we can compile a distribution database.

Happy Gardening

Bernard Novell

Show Time

Following the success of the 2008 Show, we have a few new ideas for 2009.

We have found a new NVS Judge, Jim Duckham, to replace Les and Phil. Jim has sent a Hints and Tips leaflet to help exhibitors show their produce to the very best effect. This will be included in the Show Schedule in July.

In addition we are trying very hard to involve more of our younger generation. To that end, Judy has suggested that we change the format of the Children’s classes and use a weighted points system to decide the winners. We will be offering additional prizes to try and encourage more entries. See below for the list of classes. Judy would like some help with the judging, so if you have experience of assessing the work of children in the 5–15 year age range, please get in touch.

Judy is working with a teacher at St Nicholas Infant School which is setting up its own garden club. This should give Fir Tree School, who regularly exhibit, some direct and healthy competition. If you have ties with any of the other schools in the area that you think we should ‘encourage’ please let me know who we should contact to see if they are interested in our help. Call 01491 873092 or e-mail me at: wags@bernyn.plus.com

To get you thinking about the items that need some advanced preparation, here are the titles for Art, Photography and the revamped Children’s classes:

Section I: Art & Craft (Open to all)

Class 71 Art entitled “Going Green” Any media painting, i.e. oil, water colour, pencil drawing, pen & ink etc. or mixed media.
Class 72 A hand-made item not exceeding 60 cm x 60 cm (24” x 24”)
no height restriction.

Section J: Photography (Open to all)

Class 73 Colour Print entitled “Happy”
Class 74 Colour Print entitled “Transport”
Maximum size of print: 18 cm x 13 cm (7” x 5”), un-framed, un-mounted.

Section K: Children only (5–15 years: child must be over 5 and under 15 on the day of the show)

Class 75 A 3D Model, made from natural materials. Maximum size: 46 cm x 46 cm x 46 cm (18” x 18” x 18”)
Class 76 A 2D drawing, painting or collage entitled “Trees”.
Maximum size: A4. Mixed media allowed.
Class 77 A Photograph entitled “At Home”, un-framed, un-mounted. Maximum size of print: 18 cm x 13 cm (7” x 5”)
Class 78 A plate of “Teatime Treats”, to include the recipe.
Class 79 Garden in a seed tray. Size not to exceed: 25 cm x 41 cm.

Watch out for a couple of changes in the Specialties Section when the Schedule comes out in July, and the new titles for Floral Art will be included too.

We’re looking for even more entries this year, so make sure you plant enough seeds to get a choice.

I look forward to seeing you on Show Day.

Bernard Novell

Catering

A note of thanks to all who helped in the kitchen on the evening of the Cheese and Wine supper.  I really do appreciate your help.

It was nice to see such a good turn-out, especially some newer members. I hope you enjoyed the evening.

I shall look forward to seeing you again at events later in the year when I shall no doubt be calling for your help once more.

Barbara Caistor

Shop Talk

The time has come again when we should be sowing and planting in the garden and allotment. We have seeds on sale at 65p per packet as well as some seed potatoes. We are also well stocked with composts for use in your greenhouse as well as hanging baskets and tubs.

We also sell fertilizers by the kilogram and have liquid fertilizers and tomato feeds.

Come and have a look around the store—either I or one of the helpers will be only too pleased to show you around; and perhaps you will see how interesting it all is and offer to give some of your time helping out.

I am still looking for a Deputy Store Manager and also people to help out on odd Saturdays during the year, so please contact me at the store or call 01491 837648.

Colin Timmins
Store Manager

Notes from a small garden...

At the time of writing, there’s a bitter wind blowing, but enough sunshine to feel that Spring is in the air. There was a busy crowd around the WAGS Store on Saturday and I hope everyone has their seed potatoes chitting on a windowsill somewhere – if not, see whether Colin has any left, as it’s not too late.

I learned from an old neighbour, years ago, that you should always plant your seed potatoes on Good Friday. As a fireman during the Second World War, he used to grow vegetables in the Dig for Victory campaign, so I guessed he knew what he was talking about and have followed his advice ever since. Of course, Easter is the last remaining religious festival still set according to the phases of the moon: as I pop the potatoes in the ground each year, as Fred advised, I am using a small element of biodynamic growing in my garden! I’m still not sure how it works, but I certainly look forward to the unique taste of those first new potatoes when they can be harvested in a few months’ time.

A few leeks are still standing at the end of the garden whilst I hope, in vain, that they will get a bit fatter… they’re destined for soup any day now. Then I can put some fresh compost on the ground.

Meanwhile, the green tips of garlic planted last December are showing above the soil and I have just put in some shallots. A few carrot seeds sprinkled among them should keep away onion fly and, who knows, maybe there will be a few carrots to harvest later in the year. Perhaps the colder weather we had this winter has finally killed off some of those dreaded slugs!

Look out for full details of the Autumn Show with the next WAGS News (July) and, meanwhile, if it is too cold or wet to do any gardening or go to the allotment, have a thought about what classes you might be entering (see the Show update on pages 7 and 8).

More news in July…

Frances Watkins

WAGS welcomes new committee members

Treasurer – Richard Guppy
My wife and I have lived in Wallingford since 1994. We have two children, currently at St. Nicholas and Fir Tree Schools. My wife does most of the gardening, although the back garden has to double up as playground, football pitch, and so on. I have had an allotment for the last few years, just about managing to keep control. We have won a few prizes at the WAGS show, more often due to size than quality for my entries. Even though I work in radioactive waste management, not finance, I expect to be able to keep track of WAGS finances.

Newsletter Editor – Frances Watkins
I have lived in Oxfordshire for over 20 years, and in Wallingford since 2006. My interest in gardening goes back many years, though I still consider myself an amateur. I have a tiny garden from which I try to produce enough interesting veg and salad to feed myself (my three daughters having flown the nest). I am by no means self sufficient, but not sure that I’m brave enough – nor do I have the time – to tackle an allotment! My work on a science journal means that my publishing experience is extensive, though not in this format. I hope to do WAGS and the newsletter justice and look forward to your comments and suggestions for articles and/or improvements.

Assistant Show Secretary – Jenny Grainge
I moved to Wallingford five years ago to be nearer to family and love everything about the town. My knowledge of gardening is almost nil – my interest in it is to sit in my garden and to enjoy it (whenever the weather allows). Also my interest in allotments is only to enjoy cooking whatever John (my husband) grows. I love going to the Foundation Stage Unit at St. Nicholas School where I take four children at a time (their ages are from three and a half to four years) into the kitchen and help them make cakes or biscuits. This is a great education to me!!

Trips Organiser – Toni Littledale
I have lived in Wallingford for a number of years and I have three children, one of whom was born in the town. My husband has an allotment, and I like to go up there and see what he grows though I am not a gardener myself. I enjoy visiting gardens, like the ones at Waddesdon – our first trip this year.

Memories from the Treasury
A personal reflection from Bill Harvey

I became the Treasurer of WAGS at the October 1987 AGM – in those days the financial year ran from November to October. It was another five years before it was changed to the more conventional – and convenient – calendar year, January to December.

Michael Latter had approached me saying that the Society needed the post of Treasurer filled and, although I was already District Secretary of a Friendly Society, I agreed, although somewhat reluctantly. Michael must have noticed my reaction and said, “why not try it for a year or two and see how it goes.” Well, I remained there for 21 years, so it must have gone pretty well!

It has been a position that I have really enjoyed, not least for the opportunity it has given me to meet so many different people and make lasting friendships.

Success for any organisation is dependent upon a strong and caring Committee of Management and WAGS is indeed fortunate to have had – and to continue to have – such strength. I have always appreciated the support I have received.

I am pleased to be leaving the Society in a sound financial state. Out of curiosity, I turned to the first balance sheet I prepared. The assets were then £7144; they are now £22950. I do not in any way claim my ‘prudence’ has been responsible; more, it comes from the sterling efforts of so many hard working members, past and present. I am pleased to have made some contribution to that success.

I would like to thank all who have made my tenure of office so rewarding and enjoyable – too many to list individually, I’m afraid. It will be strange to have the third Monday evening of each month free! I will particularly miss the Autumn Show, even if it did get a bit stressful when we had three or four hundred-plus entries! But Show Day was something special – especially those late entries! Here, I would like to especially thank my wife, Mur; without her help on the day, things would have been even more hairy!

I wish continued success to WAGS and health and happiness to all WAGS members and their families.

Bill Harvey

WADDESDON MANOR and GARDENS
Sunday 14th June 2009

This is our first trip in 2009. Waddesdon Manor, near Aylesbury, was built by Baron Ferdinand De Rothschild, to display his collection of art treasures. He commissioned French architect Gabriel Destailleur to build him a Renaissance-style chateau based on those in the Loire Valley, France, and employed a garden designer to lay out the grounds. When Baron Ferdinand bought Waddesdon Estate in 1874, the central hill was mostly farmland with few trees.

Extensive restoration work has taken place over the years, but in 1957 the property was bequeathed to the National Trust and opened to the public two years later. The 45 rooms on view combine the highest quality French furniture and decorative arts from the 18th century with magnificent English portraits and Dutch Old Masters

Waddesdon has one of the finest Victorian gardens in Britain, famous for its Parterre, seasonal displays, shady walks and views, fountains and statuary. At its heart lies the Aviary, stocked with species that were once part of Baron Ferdinand’s collection. For families, Explorer Trails take you around two routes in the gardens, to discover all sorts of fascinating facts about animals and plants along the way. Waddesdon Manor Gardens

Depart: from Wallingford Museum 9.00 am (two other pick-up points to be arranged according to demand) – everyone is welcome, bring family and friends!
Return: 5.00 pm (approximately)

COST (entry to house and gardens is free to National Trust members)

Bus£7.50 (cost according to full Tappins 50-seater)
Grounds£5.80
House (optional*)£6.50 (may take up to 2 hrs to visit)
Driver's Tip£1.00/50p

Contact: Toni Littledale - see the printed issue of this Newsletter for contact details.

* All visitors (inc. NT members) require timed tickets to enter the house, available from the ticket office. A few places have been pre-booked for 1.00 pm.

Compost Awareness Week 3–9 May 2009

The theme for Compost Awareness Week 2009 is “Food for Thought”. Compost awareness is all about learning how to make a difference with compost. We can do that by composting our own household kitchen and garden waste or making the “greener choice” of using peat-free composts containing recycled materials.

This year, Recycle Now will be encouraging people to put their compost to good use by trying their hand at growing their own fruit and vegetables. There will be lots of events and activities taking place through­out the week for everyone – from the expert to the novice gardener, or even those of us who simply love good-tasting, great value food!

If you want to know more about home-composting, visit: www.compostawarenessweek.org.uk

They’re improving Oakley Wood WASTE RECYCLING CENTRE

Oakley Wood WRC is due for renovation, and feedback from a recent survey has shown that visitors have particular concerns regarding traffic and parking management on site. By re-developing the site, these issues will be addressed and the improved site will have:

When is it happening?
The site will be closed on 23 March 2009 for approximately 3 months.
The closest alternative sites are: Steventon Road, Drayton (OX14 4LA) and Redbridge, Oxford (OX1 4XG).

Need more information?
Call 08450 50 45 50 or go to www.waste.management@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Plant Sale

Saturday 16 May, 09:00 – 12:00

Please think of WAGS when you are sowing, dividing or taking cuttings and put a few aside for the sale. The store will be open on the evening of Friday 15 May between 6pm and 8pm when we will be delighted to accept contributions. See you then!

Abingdon Air & Country Show

Sunday 3 May 2009 – 10 am to 5 pm

At Abingdon Airfield (Dalton Barracks)
A Great Family Day Out featuring: a 3-hour Air Display, Static Aircraft, Aircraft Fly-in, Williams F1 Show Car, Pleasure
Flights, Mobile Farm, Craft Fair, to name but a few…

Held in support of the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust

More information and tickets available at www.abingdonfayre.com