WAGS NEWS July 2002

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Chairman's Piece

There are some important announcements that you may like to think about, that have already hit the Committee and will have an affect on WAGS as a whole following the AGM in February 2003. There will of course be reminders in October and January, if necessary, but the advance warnings are:

Firstly, Peter Hallett has informed the Committee that he intends to stand down as Store Manager in March 2003. This effectively gives WAGS nine months to find a successor. So, for the third time in my time in the Chair, I am asking for someone to come forward to train as Store Manager. This position is best suited to someone that has just retired and is looking for something to occupy some time routinely, while leaving time for other retirement activities. Ideally we need this person in place well before the Christmas break because that is when we do the Stock take and it will give Peter the chance to explain the seasonal ordering as well as weekly stocking up and the system for Dobies Seed orders. There will be plenty of support from the ‘regulars’ and committee too. Just to add a bit of cream, there is the pull of 10% discount off all items purchased through the store and an annual honorarium based on turnover. The holder of the position has an Ex Officio place on the Committee too. Anyone who is interested should call me for a chat. I am sure that Peter would be more than willing to talk about the ins & outs of running the Store, but please remember that this would best be done when it is not trading so call me first and we can arrange a meeting to talk details.

Second and third, I have informed the committee that I will be standing down as Chairman in February, and that I would also like to hand the Show Secretary position on to someone else in order to pursue other interests. I feel that I have given WAGS a considerable amount of my time over the last seven years or so. We do have some young blood on the committee now, and I hope that having seen Tim, Liz and Mel come forward will encourage others to do the same. Please don’t be shy. Call me for a chat, or speak to Committee member helpers at the Store. As with all voluntary things people are afraid to come forward in case the thing that they are volunteering for turns out to be a big pull on their time. To put this into context is difficult in the space available in this newsletter, suffice to say that the more hands the lighter the work. I will be putting together a set of Job Descriptions to try and show what is involved day to day, week to week and month to month for all three positions. Please call me if you would like a copy and want to discuss it further. You might just like to come along and be on the committee without a specific office. We can co-opt at any time and it is a good way of assessing the time involved. Any of you will be welcomed with open arms. My contact details are to be found on the front cover.

On the subject of new ideas, Myron Edwards of Brightwell-cum-Sotwell has volunteered to set up a WAGS web site with newsletter, archive of past editions, newsflash page, event calendar, questions and answers, Store stock availability, discounts almanac and a list of other ideas that will need to be added as the site evolves. I will be in talking to Myron over the next few weeks and hope to have more news on this later in the year.

Finally I would like to say that WAGS has seemingly turned the corner from the slippery slide into oblivion and is now on the up. Last year the Society had the smallest number of members for some considerable time. This year we have already moved well ahead of last years total. The 2002 Show was a roaring success and I have kept the classes almost unchanged this year in the hope that the season will give us another bumper crop of entries. The Store takings have also showed an upturn, so now we need to build on that by bringing in some new blood with energy, commitment and ideas to keep the society moving in the right direction. If any member knows of someone who is a potential member, we have a tasteful ‘flyer’ available that you can hand them. Just ask at the Store.

Best wishes to you all for a long warm summer.

Bernard Novell

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Show Time

You will have already found the Show Schedule attached to your copy of this newsletter. An online version can be found HERE. There are not many changes and the important ones were published in the April Newsletter. However just to remind you, there is a new cake recipe for Cut and Come Again Cake, the Children’s classes have had another revamp, with advice from the mum’s on the Committee, so please get your children and grand children to enter every class that they are eligible for, and get your friends to persuade their children to enter too. The classes are open to all. Come on; give the judge a hard time!

We are proud and honoured to announce that there will be an additional Trophy this year in memory of Ben Buckingham, one of our regular and most prolific entrants who sadly passed on recently. He will be greatly missed at the Show. I know that regular Entrants will miss Ben. His family would like WAGS to present the trophy in recognition of Ben’s contribution to the Society and the Show. The Trophy will therefore be awarded to the Entrant who gains the most points across the whole show.

On the subject of Trophies, please could 2001 winners return them to the Store, in a clean state, no later than Saturday 27th July.

Help, help!!! I need assistance from able bodied members (and/or their offspring, friends, neighbours etc.) We need help to fetch and return tables and chairs from their various storage places, set up and dismantle the Show halls, patrol the halls as stewards both during judging and viewing, distribute the certificates after judging, collect tea cups and plates, wash up, keep and eye on the car park and numerous other tasks. If you can spare a few hours on Friday 13th, Saturday 14th or on the morning of Monday 16th September, please give me a call on 01491 873092, or call Iris on 01491 872388. I am not asking for cover for all three days (though I won’t turn such an offer away), just part of one will be a great help and take the pressure off the ‘regulars’. If you get the answer phone, please leave a message and we will call you back ASAP.

Bernard Novell

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Trips & Catering

Trips

Our trip to Stapehill on Sunday 28th April was a great success and much enjoyed by all who were able to participate. (See report). I was very sorry to disappoint some members as we filled a 53 seat coach soon after booking began.

On Wednesday 8 May a few members were able to come to Cross Lanes Fruit Farm where we spent a most enjoyable afternoon on a guided tour and talk about the various varieties of fruit growing there, their cultivation pruning, picking, storing in beautiful sunshine.

Unfortunately due to lack of interest I have had to cancel the proposed trip to the Gardens of the Rose on Tuesday 2nd July.

We will be taking a coach to Colgrave Seed and Plant Trial Grounds, on Tuesday 6th August, where they are putting on a very extensive day of events & displays of gardens, containers, hanging baskets, talks etc. etc. There are still a few seats left if anyone is interested. The cost for the day will be approximately £11.50. Do please give me a ring if you are interested in joining us, as Colgrave will need final numbers and payment very soon.

Keep in mind Sunday 6th October for our visit to Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Again, ring to book as soon as possible if you are interested.

I am still waiting and hoping to hear from someone who might be interested in organising the Trips and Events programme for next year, as I will be standing down from this position on the committee. The Society does need some new ideas and younger blood to continue the various events. Many of us oldies are nearly over the top. Don’t be shy, there is usually plenty of help at hand to advise on venues.

Catering

Talking of helping hands, the next item on the WAGS Programme of Events will be the Band Concert on Sunday 11th August, followed quite soon afterwards by the Annual Show. This is therefore my annual plea for help with baking, setting up, serving, washing up etc. etc. As always we will be willing to reimburse you for any ingredients you use on presentation of you written account. Offers please for any of these tasks at either of the events as soon as possible. I am sure members will rise to the occasion as usual. The committee and myself are always most grateful to members who give so freely of their expertise and time.

We especially need help from younger and able members for setting up and packing away on both occasions. Many of our stalwarts are now into or approaching their 80’s and therefore should not be humping tables & chairs etc. so please make a note of the dates and we shall look forward to hearing from a number of volunteers (always better than ‘Pressed Men’) Phone 01491 872388 or 01491 873092, an answer phone is usually on at both numbers if we are out & we will get back to you ASAP. Please note that we do need to know well in advance who is willing to help and with what so that we can plan ahead for the various events and also to prevent wastage of peoples time & efforts by over or under manning. The same principle applies to baking.

Iris Novell

Visit to Stapehill Abbey, Sunday 28th April 2002

Stapehill Abbey, formerly Holy Cross Abbey, has been a place of quiet retreat for almost 200 years. The community that came to Stapehill had survived the terrible consequences of the French Revolution. Trappist Nuns seeking sanctuary in 1807 found refuge in Dorset.

The Abbey has been in private hands since 1990. It was created to provide a friendly rural environment. There are Cottage, Water, Sunken, Japanese and Rose Gardens. Although this venue is smaller than we have visited before (about 30 acres), there are other attractions to see. A large undercover collection of historical farm equipment, there is an animal farm yard which appealed to the children on the site.

We enjoyed walking round the group of buildings surrounding the Nuns Chapel. The collection of costumes, old electrical goods, plus the laundry room were interesting. There are a number of Craft shops, where you can see demonstrations. We had a light lunch in the Coffee Shop. Later in the year one might bring a picnic to eat in the designated picnic area.

We enjoyed our day at Stapehill Abbey. We went round the Japanese Garden twice, it was magical. We had a cream tea in the Coffee Shop, included in the package. WAGS members took advantage of the plant nursery.

We wish to thank Iris Novell for all her efforts in making the visit to Stapehill Abbey a pleasant and interesting day.

We would recommend a visit to Stapehill Abbey.

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Answers to April 2002 Crossword

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Shop Talk

Autumn Bulbs.

At the time of going to print I do not have the Autumn Bulbs Catalogue. As soon as it is available I will order bulbs similar to those we have had in the past.

Dobies

This year there has been more than one instance of members contacting Dobies direct and altering plant orders.

Please be advised that if you order through the Society then your first point of contact should be the Store Manager. If this is not done I am not able to keep track of what you should or should not be receiving and paying for.

Next year's catalogue should be available for distribution by the end of September.

As in previous years I am happy to order up until February. To benefit from the 35% discount, orders must be with me by the middle of December. After this time discount goes down to 20%. Please remember it is more convenient for me to order bulk than send in many small orders.

Show day opening times 2.00pm to 4.00pm

Peter Hallett

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Plant Sale News

Once more a big thank you to all those members who brought plants for the sale. Also to all those who supported on the Saturday morning.

We raised the sum of £341:75.

Thanks also to Iris Joyce and Joe for all their efforts.

Doug Sears

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W.A.G.S Programme of Events 2002

July Tue Visit to The Gardens of the Rose. Cancelled
6th Aug Tue Visit to Ball Colgrave Seed Trial Grounds, Adderbury
11th Aug Sun Band Concert, Castle Gardens, Wallingford, 2pm
14th Sept Sat Annual Show - Centre 70, 2pm
6th Oct Sun Visit to Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Nov Possible visit to Westonbirt Arboretum to see Evening Illuminations

Coach Trips - Deposit £5 per person when booking

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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. Lots O’ Pots, 3 Springfield End, Goring 10%
(Hand thrown Spanish terracotta pots)
6. Turner Groundscare contact 07740 279471 up to 20%
(discount on new machinery only)
7. 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

Eco-Friendly Gardening

Do you use chemical sprays in your garden or allotment? Bill Jackson urges us to curtail the use of pesticides and pellets and use bird/animal friendly deterrents. Part of the enjoyment of gardening is listening to and watching our wonderful garden birds and seeing the bees, butterflies, beetles and animals going about their work. We are all guilty of upsetting the balance of nature in our own small plot of England. Multiplied by the thousands of gardeners, their actions can have a significant impact on the myriad of species that inhabit or visit our garden or allotment.

By encouraging one species, we should not then bemoan the arrival of its predator, because it too may be a predator and useful in your garden.

The Last Word

If, like me, you read the back cover first, then please take the time to read the Chairman’s Piece starting on page 2, as there are some important announcements in amongst his ramblings.

The April crossword proved a bit too difficult for you, so there is a Rollover prize and hopefully easier clues.

The Band Concert and Show are looming large even though Summer has not yet arrived.

Membership numbers are creeping up, so are there any new members that would like to put pen to paper and submit an article? Subject matter is open. Leave it at the Store, it will reach me.

Tim King

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