WAGS NEWS
January 2004
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WAGS NEWS January 2004 |
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Inside This Issue
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Regular Items
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Chairman's Piece
Another year has now gone by, a year with many memories, a year when we have lost some of our members particularly Eddie Small whose cheerfulness and good humour we will always remember.
We are delighted that Ivy has generously decided to donate a Shield to the Society in memory of Eddie to be presented for children's exhibits at the Annual Show. Thank you Ivy,
Iris has decided to take a well earned retirement from organising our trips and events, we will miss her, fortunately we have a successor in John Talbot who has agreed to take on the task so ably done by Iris, thank you Iris and welcome to John.
Another year has gone by and we still have no replacement for Peter as Store Manager. We are grateful for Peter's continued support but urgently require a successor. Surely there is a member out there who is able to take over from Peter, if so please call in at the store and discuss it with Peter who will be delighted to tell you what is involved.
As I write these notes Fir Tree Allotments have again suffered from wanton vandalism that has affected some of our members. I am sure that the report in the Wallingford Herald and the loss of such large stocks of vegetables, particularly noticeable with the loss suffered by Albert Reed is a galling reminder of the lack of discipline within our society, it is hoped that the culprits are soon caught and finally brought to justice.
The AGM of the Society is on Friday February 13th in Centre 70 when all members are welcome to hear the reports of the officers for 2003/2004
I wish you all a very happy and productive gardening year in 2004
Denis Strange.
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New Trips Secretary
The Committee has agreed for me to take from Iris Novell as "Trips Secretary" so I will now be responsible for organising our coach trips to houses and gardens. I will endeavour to provide programmes to match those that Iris organised so successfully over the years.
In consultation with Iris, I originally settled on the three trips for this coming year. First a spring Sunday trip to Abbey House Garden at Malmesbury in Wiltshire. Apparently the tulips are specially good. For the summer week-day trip, I have pencilled in Eltham Palace, this is a house and garden restored in the 1930s by Stephen and Virginia Courtauld, millionaire socialites, who abandoned it early in World War II during the blitz. It became run down but has recently been restored by the English Heritage, who now own it. At the time of new opening of both the house and garden, they were praised in the national press as worth visiting. Finally for the autumn, I plan a weekend visit to Wisley during the "Apple Week", which is quite spectacular by all accounts and has been asked for by some of Iris's regulars. I will be contacting members concerning prices and dates etc.
However, Iris has since been contacted by Ball Colegrave. The details of this additional trip, which is in the first week in August, are set by Iris in a separate note. Iris tells me this is very popular with all garden societies, but capacity is limited. So a booking should be made as soon as possible. As a result, I would be grateful if all interested in this trip in particular will let me know as soon as possible, so that I might book in time to get a place.
I would be very grateful for any suggestions for possible future trips that you might have, as I do not have Iris's vast knowledge of houses and gardens worth visiting.
As you have probably discovered my name is Johnny Talbot (see address in the printed edition of this newsletter or contact the Society)
In addition, my daughter lives in Wallingford (see address in the printed edition of this newsletter or contact the Society), near Centre 70 and, if more convenient any mail, interest etc. concerning trips can be dropped in her letter box.
Johnny Talbot
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Trips & Catering
Trips
The Hatfield trip was my swan song. I have thoroughly enjoyed my several years organising the trips. Some places I had already visited, others were adventures for me as well. It has been a privilege to meet and talk to so many nice people, some of whom have turned into very good friends. The whole experience has given me a great deal of pleasure and a few headaches, when interest seemed low! I'm sure that Johnny Talbot will do an excellent job and like me, will always welcome any suggestions of venues you may have, but do please bear in mind distance, travelling time and cost. I should add that Tappins Coaches have always been most helpful and have served us well.
Just one last thing. I was overwhelmed with your thanks and generosity in the beautiful card and messages on the last trip - quite undeserved I think. My pleasure has been in enjoying the visits with you all. Don't forget we welcome members' families and friends.
Catering
Having buttered you up, I am now asking for a few kind members to help with the catering at the A.G.M. in February - mainly in preparation and laying up and then clearing and washing up at the end. Just give me a ring (see 'phone number in the printed edition of this newsletter) or leave your name at the store. We look forward to seeing a number of members on the night and some volunteers for the committee! Cheese and wine is £3.00 and there is a raffle. I must also thank all the members who have given so much time in helping and making and donating cakes for the various events when catering is needed. I hope a new co-ordinator will be available for next year!
Iris Novell
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Show Time
Just a reminder that the 2004 Show will be on 11th September, same time, same place!
There are no major changes to the schedule planned, but there will be some 'relaxing' of the Fruit & Vegetable requirements for Top and Novice Top Gardener. There will be more details in the April Newsletter, along with titles for the craft, photography and floral art classes.
Bernard Novell
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Hatfield House Trip
On a very wet morning a group of 36 members and friends set off at 9.00am on our last trip of the year to see the Autumn colour in the gardens of Hatfield House. The weather while travelling along the motorway was dreadful, but our driver Trev soldiered on cheerfully and we arrived safely to be met with clearing skies and a very pleasant member of staff who boarded the coach and welcomed us all, telling us about the arrangements and the lay of the estate.
Having been issued with tickets, we all made our way to the restaurant for our coffee and biscuits, by which time the weather was starting to look rather more hopeful - unfortunately not for too long.
Some members repaired to the shops and a wonderful exhibition of militaria, while other more intrepid people braved the elements before repairing again to the restaurant for lunch.
Miraculously the skies showed blue and the sun came out for most of the afternoon so we were able to see the colour and the beautiful and extensive gardens, several of which are not generally open to the public. We left a little earlier than planned, but all agreed that it had turned into a great day with a bonus of getting home before dark
Iris Novell
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WAGS AGM 2004, Centre 70
Friday 13th February 2004
8:00 pm Prompt
Agenda
To be followed by Cheese and Wine @ £3.00 per head.
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Shop Talk
So we are off to a new year of planting and growing. Those who ordered seeds will find their orders in the store.
Plants will be delivered direct to your home address. May I remind everyone that the price you have to pay is as indicated on the notification document you will have received. This also tells you the approximate delivery date. Once you are satisfied the plants are in good order, it would be appreciated if you would pay the remittance to the Store. We do not send an additional bill to you.
We have ordered the following seed potatoes. This year we are reverting to the 3kg pack for all except the salad variety which will be in 2½kg bags. All bags will be priced at £1.50 per 3kg or 2½kg bag. As always it is first come first served.
First Earlies
Arran Pilot, Concorde, Epicure, Foremost, Pentland Javelin, Rocket and Swift.
Second Earlies
Estima and Wilja.
Main Crop
Cara, Desiree, Majestic and Pentland Crown.
Salad
Charlotte
Onion Sets @ 30p / ¼kg
Stuttgarter, Sturon and Red Braunschweiger.
Shallots @ £1.00 per kg
Golden Gourmet and Red Delicato.
Peter Hallett
Wallingford Photographic Club
Invitation to WAGS members to join the Club on March 18th 2004. John Cornwall - Glories of the Garden, to be held jointly with WAGS. Even the smallest and most common flower or plant is transformed into something magical by John and his camera
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W.A.G.S Programme of Events 2004
| Fri | Feb 13th 2004 | A.G.M. Cheese and Wine 8 p.m. |
| Spring Sunday 2004 | Abbey House Garden - Malmesbury, Wiltshire | |
| Summer Weekday 2004 | Eltham Palace, South London | |
| Tues | Aug 3rd 2004 | Ball Colegrave - Garden Enthusiasts Day |
| Sat | Aug 8th 2004 | Band Concert |
| During 16th-24th October 2004 | RHS Wisley - Apple Week | |
| Sat | Sept 11th 2004 | WAGS Show |
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Discounts
We have updated the information below in readiness for the new year. Changes are underlined, and we welcome Root 1 to the list.
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%
(Awaiting confirmation for 2004, please check at the cash desk)
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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Editorial
The Last Word
The Christmas festivities will, in all probability, have been cleared away by the time you receive this newsletter. Welcome to 2004.
I will start the year from my wheel barrow - is there nobody that will come forward to take over the store manager's job???
If you haven't already decided, now is the time to think about the Autumn show and the entries you are going to submit.
Some of the information in the newsletter was repeated, so a new layout and a more distinctive front cover herald the new year.
We wish Johnny Talbot well in his new post of Trips Secratary. His initial suggestions are sure to whet the appetite of the regulars. Of course all members, their families and friends are always welcome on the trips.
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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