Monday, July 30, 2012

Flowers and Floods

67th Annual Show
Drimpton Village Hall
Saturday 11th August 2012

Your chance to make a splash!

Everyone will have taken a battering in this rather mixed weather we've been "enjoying" so we are all in the same boat - if you think your courgettes aren't doing well, you should see mine, rubbish!

There are classes in all sorts of categories, you'd be hard-pressed not to find something you could have a go at! The printed list, advice and entry form may be found in the Schedule - if you haven't had one yet, please contact Rosemary, Brian or Barbara.

Please hand your entry forms in by the Wednesday before the Show (that's Wed. 8th August). You can bring your exhibits along on the Friday evening to the hall and set them up, any time between 8 and 9 pm, or on the Saturday morning from 8.30 am. 

If you haven't submitted an entry by the Wednesday deadline - don't panic - additional items may be added up to 10.15 am on Show Day - at the discretion of the Show Secretary. (You could have problems with a late entry into a Class where space is limited - things like Flower Arranging and Handicraft).

Have a go - and Good Luck!


The Potato Growing Competition Weigh-In
Bring your container (from 2:15pm) with the seed potato you planted from Potato Day, and hopefully a crop hiding in there somewhere. Yours has probably got the blight and died back - most have, but there will be something to weigh.

List of Classes
Don't forget to look at the young people, family and group classes at the end of the list.


FLOWERS
1 One Rose with the Best Scent - one prize only
2 Three Roses - Single Blooms
3 One Spray Floribunda Roses
4 One Vase Gladioli - three spikes
5 One Vase Mixed Flowers - area 24'' x 24'' (60cm x 60cm) maximum (can include foliage)
6 One Vase Sweet Peas - six stems - any colour
7 One Vase Cut Flowers - two separate varieties
8 One Vase of Annuals - mixed varieties (not less than 5)
9 Three Vases Distinct Varieties of Annuals
10 Four Stems French Marigolds
11 Three Dahlias – same variety, same colour
12 Five Dahlias – any variety, any colour
13 One Head of Hydrangea
14 Vase of Pansies, or Vase of Violas - six stems
15 Two Varieties Flowering Shrubs. One stem of each
16 Best Cut Flower or Spike - named if possible
17 Four Different Varieties of Perennials, in a container of own choice
18 Three flowers from a bulb, corm or rhizome
19 Unusual Plant or Flower - named if possible
20 One Flowering Plant - any variety - max. 7" (17.75cm) pot
21 One Foliage Plant - any variety - max 7" (17.75cm) pot

VEGETABLES
22 Four Potatoes (coloured)
23 Four Potatoes (white)
24 Dish of Five Tomatoes (standard) up to 2½'' (6.5 cm) diameter
25 Dish of Ten Tomatoes (Miniature)
26 Three Large Onions, over 250 grams (8.8 oz)
27 Five medium Onions, under 250 grams (8.8 oz)
28 Pair of Courgettes, under 8" (20 cm) length
29 Twelve Shallots - large single
30 Twelve Shallots - picklers, under 1¼'' (3 cm) diameter
31 Four Dessert Apples
32 Six Pods French Beans
33 Six Pods Runner Beans
34 Six Pods Peas
35 A Dish of Chillies (minimum of 5)
36 Two Capsicums
37 One Lettuce
38 Three Beetroot
39 Three Carrots
40 Pair of Marrows - table size, maximum 15" (38cm) length
41 Single Specimen Vegetable, not included elsewhere in this Schedule
42 One Cucumber
43 Six Damsons, Gages, or Plums - may be mixed
44 Dish of Soft Fruit/Mixed Soft Fruits
45 Three Kinds of culinary Herbs - three stems of each in a container
46 Bag of Mixed Salad Leaves
47 Misshapen Vegetable - any variety
48 Longest Runner Bean - one only
49 A Truss of  Tomatoes on the Vine
50 Cream of the Organic Crop – Five different fruits or vegetables – one
        prime example of each. Displayed in a seed tray max.size 15”x9”
               (38x23cm)

FLOWER ARRANGING
51 “Tiny Pots” - A Miniature Arrangement of any plant material not to exceed 3" (7.5cm) in any direction.
52 "Forget the Flowers” - An Arrangement of foliage, grasses and seed heads
Space allowed 18" x 18'' (45cm x 45cm)
53 A Floral Cushion  - An Arrangement commemorating the Queen’s Jubilee Space allowed 15'' x 15" (38cm x 38cm) Accessories permitted
54 "Celebration" - An arrangement of fresh flowers and foliage to depict a special occasion.  Space allowed 24" x 24" (61cm x 61cm) Acc permitted
55 “Birth Stone”  An arrangement of fresh flowers. (List for guidance attached )
        Space allowed 9" x 9'' (23cm x 23cm) Accessories permitted
56 A Colourful Patio Tub or Container – planted by the exhibitor

HOMECRAFT
57 Pot of Lemon Curd
58 Pot of Jelly
59 Pot of Raspberry Jam
60 Pot of any other Jam
61 Pot of Marmalade
62 Pot of Chutney
63 A Pot of Mint Jelly
64 An “Elizabeth Sandwich” no larger than 8” (20cm) recipe of entrant’s own
creation for the  Diamond Jubilee. Recipe to be displayed. Icing optional
65 A savoury flan or quiche (not fish) (additional ingredients to be listed)
66 A round rustic loaf
67 A Packed Lunch for a Hungry Gardener. One savoury and one sweet item
        in a  lunch box. (24cm x 14cm approx)
68 A Lemon Meringue Pie – on an 8” pastry base
69 Mixed Fruit Tea Bread (using recipe in this Schedule)
70 Five Fruit Scones
71 A Dorset Apple Cake
72 Five Macaroons
73 MEN ONLY A Swiss Roll with jam filling

HANDICRAFT
74 One Knitted or Crocheted Article
75 Embroidery, Excluding Kits
76 A Textile Article (may be from a kit)
77 A Patchwork, Quilted or Appliquéd Article (No more than 45” / 114cm)
78 A Sewn Article
79 “New Home” A hand made card
80 A Handcrafted Exhibit (Woodcraft, Metalcraft, Pottery, Jewellery or any other medium)

ART
81 Water colour or pen and wash
82 Oil or acrylic or any other medium
83 A sculpture (any material) or clay model, not exceeding 24” (60cm) in any
        dimension.

PHOTOGRAPHY
84 Reflections
85 Coastal Scene
86 Sport
87 A Beautiful Building
88 Creepy Crawlies
89 A favourite framed photograph – frame not exceeding 33cmx 25cm
In not more than 150 words, please explain why this is a favourite.
90 A photograph in black and white

YOUNG PEOPLE’S CLASSES
UP TO 9 YEARS (State age on entry form)
91 Red, White and Blue - Four Decorated Cup Cakes  (cakes may be made by
        an adult
92 Design and make a Crown fit for a Queen
93 Design and make a Flag – using any art and craft materials. Size A4
AGED  10 to 15 YEARS  (State age on entry form)
94 Four Jubilee Cup Cakes (Baked and decorated by the exhibitor)
95 A Handcrafted Exhibit – any medium eg knitting, crochet, needlework,
        pottery, woodwork
96 Design and make a Greetings Card for a family member

FAMILY FUN - with a Summer of Sport in mind
Entries in Classes 97 and 98 must have been made or produced by a group of at least TWO people but the group must include at least one child under 13 years old.
97 A Sports Arena - using recycled materials where possible.
      Max base size 50cm x 50cm. Height unlimited
98       An Imaginary Mascot – made from fruit and vegetables, seeds, nuts etc

GROUP CLASSES
99 “A Fairy Story” a three part exhibit produced by a team of three people,
                to include a floral arrangement, a handcrafted item and baking. Each item  
                to have been produced by one of  the team.
100 “Top Team Gardeners” Exhibits from an individual garden to show the all
                round skills of a team of two or more gardeners.
               An arrangement of two vases of cut flowers, a collection of three kinds of
               vegetable and two kinds of fruit. To be displayed in an area 90cm x 60cm
               Accessories may be used but must not dominate. This class will be judged    
               for quality, variety and presentation of material.

Don't forget to fill out your Entry Form and hand it in.


Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Annual Flower Show - Saturday 11th August 2012

67th Annual Show
Drimpton Village Hall
Saturday 11th August 2012
2.15 pm
Presentation of Prizes at 4.30 pm


There are 2 intended themes running through this year's Show - The Queen's Jubilee and The Olympic Games, plus an unintended theme - the weather! We've all suffered from it, nobody has an advantage, so the Show will go on!

All staging to be completed by 10.45 am on Show Day (the hall is open the evening before for staging too). Entries to be submitted preferably by 8.00 pm the Wednesday prior to the Show.

Good luck!

Monday, July 23, 2012

Government consultation on Peat-free compost

The government task force on peat and compost has published a consultation document, which we can download to read and then comment on.
There is a useful introduction and links to the report on this gardener's blog.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Our Next Meeting - The Cottage Garden


Previous Meeting

Wednesday 18th July 2012.
Drimpton Village Hall
7:15 for 7:30 pm


We had a really good turn out to hear Neil speak on Cottage Gardens. Do you know why the plague is important in cottage gardens? I didn't, but I do now. It was informative, fun and challenging, a great evening.

Thanks Neil.

The History (and future) of the cottage garden.

We are pleased to welcome back our friend and neighbour Neil Lovesey, from Picket Lane Nursery


As well as being his usual informative self, Neil will be asking (amongst other things):
  • When we say 'Cottage Garden style, what do we mean?
  • Where did this Cottage Garden Style originate?
  • When did the Cottage Garden begin, and what has that to do with a ship docking in Weymouth?


All these question will be answered in this enlightening and educational talk that will surprise most of the audience, and will offer a controversial possibility to the greatest disaster to ever hit Great Britain and led to our national gardening heritage.



Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Our Previous Meeting - Container Planting

Below is the entry for our last meeting, I said "Given his work and experience I imagine that questions and answers could be quite a useful time." That is an understatement. James is a easy speaker to listen to, friendly, knowledgeable and with touches of humour.


With descriptions of everything from pots and containers, to growing media and a wide range of plants he really opened up the possibilities for container planting. It wasn't all talk either, he planted up a tub with a great balance of colours and then donated it to us for a raffle.

A great evening, thank you James.

Drimpton Village Hall

Wednesday 20th June 20127:15 for 7:30 pm

(Friends and visitors are always welcome)


We are fortunate to be able to welcome as our guest speaker James Foster-Pegg, from the Gold Club.
James is a graduate in Biological Sciences, and joined Brimsmore Gardens in 1993, Castle Gardens in 1997 and in 2006 became Director in charge of Poundbury Gardens. He has extensive experience of speaking, as well as setting up medal winning gardens at Chelsea.

Definitely a meeting not to be missed.


Jame's subject will be: Container Planting
Tips and advice for the perfect balance of colour for summer


Given his work and experience I imagine that questions and answers could be quite a useful time.



James Foster-Pegg 
in The Engine Room Restaurant at Poundbury Gardens

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Friends and Neighbours

We are not the only society around here with lots going on and activities to suit all levels of gardening interest and experience. Our neighbours in Uplyme and Lyme Regis, with all the challenges and opportunities a coastal climate offers, always seem to have a stimulating program on offer.

Why not check out their website (they have a link to a discussion forum too).

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Petunias, People and Pastries

A new venture for the horticultural society, buying well over 400 tiny plug plants, rearing and caring for them and then selling them at a village hall coffee morning, proved a great success and good fun: all helping to raise funds for Drimpton Village Hall improvements.

Plants on sale included Petunia, Begonia, Verbena, geranium, plus tomato and other plants sown and propagated by members and friends.

There was the added bonus of home made cakes and bakes, plus games and stories for children.

Garden Club Plant Sale, Drimpton Village Hall

Garden Club Plant Sale, Drimpton Village Hall