Lavant Horticultural Society,
Chichester
APRIL
MEETING
How to Make a Winning Flower Arrangement
Lyn Constable
Lyn has judged the flower arrangement section of our Annual Show for the past few years, writing comments and advice for every entry, not just the prize winners.
With a
combination of information, demonstrations and discussion she was
able to convey her knowledge and enthusiasm to the experienced and
novices alike.
She stressed the creative use of colour, texture &
form, rather than adherance to any
set formats, and encouraged everyone to try, particularly men - in
fact many of the very best flower arrangers are
men!
Jim
Morrris pointed out that Show Rules had restricted entries to one
per household - this has now been
amended, so that every individual can now enter
their own flower
arrangements in the 2019 Show.
NEXT
MEETING
Wednesday
12th
June
Lavant Memorial
Hall 7.30 pm
Steps to Make your
Garden Less
Work
Roger
Hirons
Those present at our June
2017 meeting will certainly remember Roger's talk about the
Rosaceae family of plants, in particular his insights into the real
causes behind problems and practical, down-to-earth
advice.
Roger (alias "the Plant Doctor")
will now apply the same wealth of knowledge to demonstrate how to
"make our gardens work for us, rather than the other way
round".
Surely, everyone will be interested in this!
ANNUAL PLANT SALE
Sunday 12th May
Click any picture to
enlarge
As soon as the doors opened visitors poured into the Hall and it remained very busy throughout the afternoon; those who came clearly found plenty to interest them in the wide variety of plants on offer, as plant sales exceeded all previous levels.
The
refreshments were also very popular, with many clearly enjoying the
home-made scones and cakes.
A very successful &
enjoyable afternoon - we hope that the plants purchased will
continue to give pleasure.
Many thanks to all those who
donated plants
MARCH
MEETING
The Secret History of Vegetables
Martyn Cox
Martyn gave an
interesting and entertaining review of the history of a wide range
of vegetables, from the garlic cultivated for millennia to a 19thC
Belgian farmer's chance discovery of chicons growing from the
animal fodder chicory stored in a dark barn.
Onions had been cultivated long before the Egyptians showed their high esteem by placing them in the mouths and eye-sockets of mummies.
Egyptomania helped Victorian charlatans sell "mummy peas", supposedly from peas found in tombs,, which in fact could never have germinated.
Martyn recommended beetroot 'Chioggia' with red and white concentric circles, and the best basil for making pesto, 'Tigullio', from pesto's home region of Liguria.
This meeting was preceded by the
OCTOBER
MEETING
The Garden in
Autumn
Patricia Elkington
She spoke with the authority from her first-hand
knowledge of from growing them in her 3 acre chalk garden near Winchester that she has been opening
for the National Gardens Scheme since 1984.
Click above for more on Patricia's garden,
which will be
opening for NGS on 10thJune.
Patricia gave an impressive presentation of
many plants that enhance the garden in autumn.
Click below for notes on
some of
LAVANT VILLAGE
FETE
Saturday
15th
June
Lavant Village
Green
As usual, the Plant Stall
will be run by LHS.
There will be a wide variety of plants on sale at
extremely reasonable
prices
Any
donations of plants will be most welcome.
Lavant Christmas
Fayre
All the stalls & decorations in the Hall
created a really festive atmosphere.
The LHS stand was more
colourful and attractive than ever and sales went
well
JANUARY MEETING
Wildlife of a Working
Forest
Mike
Read
Our 2019 programme started with an excellent talk.
Click above for Mike's own website
Mike began with the management of
the New Forest, smallest of the UK's National Parks, developed over
900 years from its origins as a royal hunting forest, today's
thriving timber production and, of course, the
ponies.
He then presented the forest's rich wildlife through the four seasons - the amazing variety of birds, mammals, insects, plants and fungi. All brought to life by the superb quality of his photograhs. His knowledge & enhusiasm enlivened the talk and then his answers to questions.
So, not only an enjoyable afternoon, but also plenty of inspiration to go and see the New Forest in a new light.
DECEMBER
MEETING
Lordington
Lavender
Andrew
Elms
Andrew led us through his exit dairy farming, his
search for other crops, planting 50 ha of lavender
and the development of the lavender
business.
Click above for Lordington Lavender website
With conservation of habitat & environment key, the farm has become haven for wildlife: at least 12 red-listed birds including skylarks, barn owls & red kites.
The whole story was told in a very
engaging way and the evening was rounded off with coffee &
mince pies.
With Bulgaria & China undermining wholesale prices
of lavender oil, Andrew developed
his own range of products using lavender's antibacterial,
antifungal & antiviral properties, as well as its fragrance
& flavour.
GARDEN VISIT
2019
Wednesday
3rd
July
The
Savill Garden
35 acres of beautifully
themed landscaped gardens in the heart of Windsor Great Park
.
Click above to learn more about
The Savill Garden
Depart from Lavant Memorial Hall 10.00am
Arrive back at Lavant Memorial Hall 6.00pm
Price: £23 each for members (£25 for guests);
this covers return travel by coach and
entrance to The Savill Garden
Seats
have sold quickly, but there are still a couple
of
places
available, so download the order form
now!
For information from previous
talks and events, please go to the
Archive
