WAGS NEWS
January 2009
Chairman's Piece
At the time of writing, I have just attended the last Committee Meeting of 2008, and right now I am wondering whether there will be more than two or three in 2009.
We have not had one single call or enquiry about filling the four vacancies, so the November meet ing discussed the real possibility that WAGS will have to close.
We will be asking the local Papers to run articles about our plight and do our best to get the word out to a wider audience, but I still can’t believe that from a family membership of over 600 people, there is absolutely no interest in keeping WAGS alive. Hopefully, by the time you read this, articles will have appeared in the Wallingford Herald and Window for Wallingford Magazine but please, please consider coming forward before the AGM in February so that we can start the new financial year on a positive note.
Just to remind you the vacancies are: Treasurer - Bill Harvey has held this post for over 20 years. The Society cannot function without a Treasurer, so it WILL fold in 2009 if we don’t find one.
Newsletter Editor
Trips Organiser - We have been without Trips for over two years now. This is not a showstopper, but does make the Society more attractive to the regular members, particularly those who are retired.
Assistant Store Manager - We are very lucky to have Gareth, who was Store Manager before Colin took over, step in when Colin is away. But he is NOT involved in the week to week running of the Store. We do need someone who can spread the work and learn the ropes.
So come on. Come and get involved. The work is not arduous and you will be helping keep one of Wallingford’s most respected Societies afloat for the foreseeable future.
Seasonal felicitations to all members.
Bernard Novell
01491 873092 (If you ring during the day and there is no reply, please leave a message. I will call you back)wags@bernyn.plus.com
Show Time
Our RHS Judge, Les Waldron told me at the 2007 Show that he had decided to step down from judging the WAGS Show after over 30 years. Believe me I tried to persuade him to continue but his mind was set. Unfortunately I could not find a replacement for him in 2008, so he came one more time to keep the Show going, and you rose to the occasion and entered more exhibits to give him and his two colleagues something to judge. Sadly this WAS the last time Les will be visiting us in Wallingford and I cannot thank him enough for what he has done for WAGS over the years.
During October and November I picked a dozen or so names from the RHS’s list of Judges and Speakers. I sent letters and e-mails out in the hope that there would be one or two that had not been already booked up. For once luck was on my side and Jim Duckham has accepted the challenge.
Jim is a qualified National Vegetable Society (NVS) Judge and will judge all the Vegetable, Fruit, Flower and Pot Plant classes. Jim has sent me a Hints and Tips leaflet that I will publish with the Class titles for Floral Art, Photography and art & Craft sections in the April Newsletter (assuming that there is one)!
So if you haven’t already ordered your Dobies Seeds, get down to the Store with your order and let’s give Jim a Show to remember.
Bernard Novell
Catering
By the time you are reading this, hopefully your thoughts are turning to Spring and another season of gardening.Meantime we have the AGM and Cheese and Wine on 13th February. This is always an enjoyable evening and excellent value. The price remains at £3 for a good supper plus wine. It would be nice to see some of our newer members attending along with the regulars.
As usual I would be glad of some help in the kitchen; laying up, clearing away and washing up. Nothing too onerous! Looking forward to seeing you.
Barbara Caistor
Shop Talk
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I hope all of you have had a good Christmas and that you have a happy and good gardening new year. I must thank Gareth Roberts and his helpers for keeping the store going during my recuperation period after my hip operation. Dobies seed orders, the second batch of orders has been dispatched and if there are any further orders to send please get them into the store as soon as possible. The seed potatoes will be in the store in the second week in January and will be on sale on the 18th January 2009. The prices are shown below. The Onion and Shallot sets have been in the store since November and are selling well so come and get yours as soon as possible. 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.
Colin Timmins
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WAGS AGM 2009, Centre 70
Friday 9th February 2009
8:00 pm Prompt
Agenda
- Apologies
- President’s opening remarks
- Minutes of previous AGM
- Chairman’s report
- Treasurer’s report
- Trading Store report
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- Membership fee 2010
- Band concert
- Autumn show
- Election of Committee Members
- Any other business - to be notified to the secretary in writing at least 14 days before the AGM.
The Last Word
It can’t have escaped your notice that we are looking to fulfil four vacancies at WAGS. THE most important one is that of Treasurer. If there is no Treasurer there is NO WAGS. No apologies in labouring the point. It is vital, for the continuation of the Society, that we have a bean-counter. There can be no Autumn Show if there is no Treasurer to add up and dish out the prize money. There can be no WAGS if there is no Treasurer to look after the finances. The consequences are too dire to contemplate. I am sure you get the picture!! Now some more cajoling. We also need a Newsletter Editor. Someone with a real gardening interest and possibly a literary bent. I only mow lawns, trim hedges and put up fences and play houses. Not with any stretch of imagination am I a gardener; but you knew that!! The Autumn Show proved that there are a large number of very capable gardeners. Now is the time to share your experience and expertise with the other members. An assistant Store Manager would ease the load on Colin. I guess the possibility of trips is out of the question? And so this really is the last word………..