Clent Gardening Club

There was no monthly meeting in July. However, the second Friday in June saw around 30 members enjoy an evening visit to a fairly recently created garden at The Cheryls, Button Oak near Bewdley. Members enjoyed an immaculately laid out garden with many interesting plants and a wide selection of garden ornaments. As usual, the evening was rounded off in very satisfactory fashion with tea, coffee and helpings of home made cake.

The first Sunday in May saw around 40 members and guests set off on the club’s annual day outing which this year comprised a return visit to the Royal Horticultural Society’s magnificent gardens at Wisley in Surrey. Shortly after arrival members were swallowed up touring the extensive grounds, huge glass house and various show gardens. The usual member’s theme of enjoying the various restaurants and raiding the RHS shop were also enthusiastically followed.

The July meeting welcomed Roger Umpleby for his latest visit this time to give a talk entitled "Presentation of flowers and produce for local shows" conveniently timed to aid members before the annual Clent Flower Show to be held on the first Saturday in September.

Roger gave many useful tips on the correct way to display produce supported by a fine selection of colour slides to reinforce his tips. Read the instructions was one notable tip. Roger stated that when judging exhibits it is surprising how many people exhibit, for example, six apples when the show entry form stipulates five.

He stated that local shows were all about exhibiting and taking part rather than winning and are a fine way to show fellow club members what you have been growing that year. With the annual Show just round the corner hopefully a few more members will have been encouraged to “have a go” by Roger’s talk.

At the end of the meeting the chairman drew the raffle and reminded his members that the next monthly meeting was on Friday 26 August when the club welcomes David Morgan to give a talk entitled "NGS – Is my garden good enough?".

All are welcome at our meetings which are held at Clent Village Hall on the fourth Friday each month and anyone interested in either joining or just visiting the club can get further details by visiting clentgardeningclub.wordpress.com or by contacting chairman Martin Grange 01562 883009/07917 184762.