Rosewarne Garden Society News

December 12th. 2011

On Monday 12 December we met for our annual Christmas social evening, and enjoyed a seasonal demonstration of Christmas floral decorations by Ros Smith, from the Duchy College. Ros has kindly come along to previous Christmas evenings, and we always enjoy seeing her return and show us how to make some beautiful arrangements, after which she kindly judged our own efforts in our table decoration competition.
The demonstration was followed by supper supplied as usual by members, and our Christmas raffle. Next month our meeting will be on Monday 23 January 2012, when our speaker will be John Harris, who is very well known in Cornwall, and his subject will be "Planting by the Moon".
We meet on the 4th Monday of every month (including Bank Holidays, apart from our Christmas social evening, which is always held earlier in the month) and our talks begin promptly at 7.30pm at the Duchy College, Rosewarne. If you can arrive any time from 7.00pm onwards, you will have more time to buy members' plants from our monthly table-top plant sale. Bring a flower from the garden too, labelled with your full name plus the name of the flower, for our monthly competition.
We welcome visitors at all meetings. If you would like more information about the Society please call Membership Secretary Sandy Burleigh on 01326 564017

November 28th. 2011

On Monday 28 November 2011, we enjoyed an illustrated talk by Mike Stephens, from Coombegate Garden in St Ive. His subject was "Have a Wonderful Winter Garden" and we were reminded to start with tidying up our gardens first, followed by ideas for hard landscaping. We then saw the importance of focal points to view from within our homes on wintry days, with evergreens and trees forming a framework for the lovely selection of plants we were then shown - ideas for trees, shrubs, grasses and perennials - plenty of flowers, berries and feathery shapes to see in the winter.
This talk was followed by our usual flower competition, table top plant sale, raffles and refreshments.

October 24th. 2011

On Monday 24 October 2011 we enjoyed an illustrated talk by John Lanyon, Garden Manager of NT Trelissick, Glendurgan, Trerice and Bosloe, on the subject of "Exotic Evergreens". John showed us many unusual plants, where they liked to be planted, and how to care for them, some old favourites and some new to us, so interesting ideas to think about. The talk was followed by our usual table top plant sale, refreshments, raffles and flower competition.
Our next meeting will be on Monday 28 November 2011, when our speaker will be Mike Stephens of Coombegate Garden, St Ive, and his subject will be "Creating a wonderful winter garden".We meet on the fourth Monday of every month, at the Duchy College, Rosewarne, and the talks begin promptly at 7.30pm.
If you can arrive from 7.00pm onwards, you will have more time to buy members' plants from our usual table-top sale. Bring a flower from the garden too, with a label with your full name and the name of the flower for our monthly competition. (It's important to note though, that an exception to the fourth Monday of every month will be our December social evening.
Our Christmas evening is always held earlier in the month and this year it will be on Monday 12 December 2011, when members will bring along refreshments for everyone to share, and a very popular speaker, Ros Smith from the Duchy College, is kindly returning this year to demonstrate Christmas arrangements). We welcome visitors at all meetings. If you would like more information about the Society please call Membership Secretary Sandy Burleigh on 01326 564017, or visit our website at www.rosewarnegardensociety.com.

September 26th. 2011

On Monday 26 September 2011 we enjoyed an illustrated talk by photographer David Chapman on "Wildlife on the Towans". We started with beautiful views of the bay, Godrevy Lighthouse with colourful flowers growing on the Towans. We learned about the history of the gunpowder works and how the area was more recently reclaimed as a nature reserve for everyone to enjoy not just the flowers, but the varied animals, birds, insects, reptiles and marine life. It was a thoroughly enjoyable and informative evening, with outstanding photography, finishing with our usual flower competition, raffles, members' plant sale and refreshments.
Our next meeting will be on Monday 24 October 2011, when our speaker will be John Lanyon, who is the National Trust General Manager for Trelissick, Glendurgan, Trerice and Bosloe, and his talk will be entitled "Exotic Evergreens". We meet on the fourth Monday of every month, including Bank Holidays, at the Duchy College, Rosewarne, and the talks begin promptly at 7.30pm.
If you can arrive from 7.00pm onwards, you will have more time to buy members' plants from our usual table-top sale. Bring a flower from the garden too, with a label with your full name and the name of the flower, for our monthly competition, points will awarded and the winner announced at the February AGM.
We welcome visitors at all meetings - if you would like more information about the Society please call Membership Secretary Sandy Burleigh on 01326 564017, or visit our website at www.rosewarnegardensociety.com.
We have been pleased to find some members have shown interest in either joining the committee or volunteering to help when extra assistance is needed on Monday evenings. Thank you to everyone who is helping their committee members this way, we'll continue to welcome anyone who is able to help in either capacity.

August 22nd.. 2011

On Monday 22 August, 2011 we held our annual pasty evening. We started the evening with a walk around the grounds of Duchy College, kindly lead by two members of staff, Sarah Chaffer and John Ashton. John showed us the greenhouses; we saw how students learn the art of propagating plants, growing them on until they can be potted into 2 litre pots to be sold or donated to local schools. Sarah then showed members around various polytunnels used by students to grow vegetables. We toured the allotment sites, wildlife area, apple and pear orchard. A new arboretum has been created in part of an old soft fruit area. Many new visitors also attended, and both staff members were able to answer many questions from both members and visitors. We returned to the lecture theatre for pasties and tea, having enjoyed a lively and interesting evening.
Our next meeting will be on Monday 26 September, 2011, when photographer David Chapman, will be giving us an illustrated talk on "Wildlife on the Towans".
If you are interested in joining our committee then please contact any committee member (details on our printed programme) or contact Sandy on 01326 564017 - we still urgently need a Speaker's Secretary, or perhaps two people working together would like to think about this interesting venture?

July 25th. 2011

On Monday 25 July 2011 we held our "Question and Answer Evening", our guest panel members were Nigel Pascoe, from Flambards and BBC Radio Cornwall, and Sarah Chafer, lecturer at the Duchy College, and they joined our Chairman Bill Herring in answering members' questions. It was a very lively and informative evening, with three experts able to answer every question asked of them, just one escaped their joint expertise! We started with strawberries, and finished with camellias, and then finished the evening with our raffles, flower competition, table-top plant sale and refreshments as usual.
Our next meeting, on Monday 22 August, 2011 is our annual pasty one, which includes a walk around the college grounds, lead by one of the lecturers. (Please note that this really is the fourth Monday in the month, we have five in August, do not come along a week later!) and if you meet in the usual lecture hall at 7.15pm, the walk can set off promptly soon after that. Pasties have been booked, there are always some spare ones, so still come along even if you haven't ordered any, and our usual tea and coffee will also be supplied. Visitors are welcome to join us.
We won't be holding our usual flower competition,table-top sale of plants or raffles at the next meeting. We'll be back to normal at our 26 September 2011 meeting. We welcome visitors at all meetings - if you would like more information about the Society please call Membership Secretary Sandy Burleigh on 01326 564017.
If you are interested in joining our committee then please contact any of the committee members via the programme, or contact Sandy on the number above. We still urgently require someone to devise our 2012-13 programme of speakers. There must be someone out there who would enjoy this challenge, researching possible speakers and compiling a varied and interesting programme for the society. We have an excellent programme for 2011-12, so there would be time to gently ease into the task, with assistance given, and you would join a small but very friendly committee.

June 27th. 2011

On Monday 27 June 2011 Darren Dickey, Head Gardener at Trebah, gave an illustrated talk on "Exotics to suit our ever changing climate". He covered bulbs, corms, herbaceous plants and shrubs, giving very useful advice on how we need to adapt to the changes in our weather, the care we now need to give plants we have traditionally grown in Cornwall, and some ideas on different plants which may prove hardier in the future. His talk was beautifully illustrated and proved extremely interesting to the members, and the many visitors who came along, and this was followed by our usual refreshments, table-top plant sale, raffles and "flower of the month" competition.
Our next meeting will be on Monday 25 July 2011 when our Chairman Bill Herring will head a team of experts for our "Question and Answer Evening", our version of Gardeners Question Time. The panel will include Nigel Pascoe, Head Gardener at Flambards. We meet on the fourth Monday of every month (including Bank Holidays) at the Duchy College, Rosewarne, and the talks begin at 7.30 pm. If you can arrive from 7.00 pm onwards though, you will have more time to buy members' plants from our usual table-top sale. Bring a flower from the garden too, with a label with your name (and the name of the flower helps too) for our competition.
A reminder to members, and possibly visitors who may well be interested in taking on an interesting challenge! We are urgently seeking a new Speakers' Secretary, and have been for some time, so although our programme is set for the foreseeable future, it is so important that someone with ideas can now start planning the continuing programme. It would be an interesting venture liaising with possible speakers and assisting them at our monthly Monday meetings. Our small and friendly committee meets every three months so we all find that isn't too much timewise. Sarah Graham, our now retired Speakers' Secretary, will assist anyone who volunteers, no-one would be expected to jump straight in. Sarah has been responsible for setting such an interesting programme and will continue to help the new Secretary take over, and we're very grateful to her for organising our programme so well in the past and for her offer to assist someone new now. Please contact us.

May 23rd. 2011

On Monday 23 May 2011 Sarah Chafer, a lecturer at Duchy College, kindly stepped in and replaced George Kestell who was unable to attend as planned due to work commitments. Sarah talked on the same subject as originally planned - "Propagation" - and demonstrated various methods of taking cuttings. It was a thoroughly enjoyable and knowledgeable practical demonstration, and Sarah's enthusiasm was matched by the members, a lively question and answer session followed her talk. So thank you to Sarah for stepping in so ably. We followed the talk by our usual refreshments, table-top flower sale, raffles and "flower of the month" competition.
Our next meeting will be on Monday 27 June 2011, when Darren Dickey, Head Gardener at Trebah, will talk to us on the subject of "Exotics to suit our ever changing climate". We meet on the fourth Monday of every month (including Bank Holidays) at the Duchy College, Rosewarne, and the talks begin at 7.30 pm. If you can arrive from 7.00 pm onwards though, you will have more time to buy members' plants from our usual table-top sale. Bring a flower from the garden too, with a label with your name, for our competition. (Remember to return your question paper to this meeting for collating for the July meeting when we are holding our "Question and Answer Evening", the experts' panel will be chaired by our own Chairman Bill Herring - please pass this to one of the committee members as requested).
Also, a reminder about the Duchy College Open Day, on 25 June, when we have a table selling members' plants as usual.

April 25th. 2011

On Monday 25 April 2011 our speaker was Mackenzie Bell, from Northwood Water Gardens, St Neot, and his subject was "Designing with Plants and Water". Mr Bell has a background in fine art, so he was able to explain how painting influences his design work, in the way of building up the garden like a three-dimensional painting. His garden is 800 feet above sea level, and wet and cold in the winter, so has been quite a challenge, but we all enjoyed seeing the results of his work. The illustrated talk was followed by our usual refreshments, table-top flower sale, raffles, and "flower of the month" competition.
Our next meeting will be on Monday 23 May 2011, when George Kestell, who is always a popular speaker, and now one of BBC Radio Cornwall's gardening experts, will talk about "Propagation". The talk will start at about 7.30 pm.

March 28th. 2011

On Monday 28 March 2011 our speaker was Charles Williams, owner of Caerhays and senior partner of Burncoose Nurseries, whose great-grandfather bred the original x williamsii strain of camellias at Caerhays in the 1920s, the subject for the talk. With so many examples of camellias displayed we were able to see the results of this work, and learn so much about these popular plants. It proved to be a very popular talk because the hall was full with both members and visitors. This was followed by our usual refreshments, flower competition (won by Joyce Stokes with a beautiful camellia) and plant table, full this week with spring plants. (Charles Williams kindly donated his fee to Shelter Box, to help with their continuing work, especially relevant at the moment with so many earthquake disasters).
Our next meeting will be on Monday 25 April when Mackenzie Bell from Northwood Water Garden at St Neots, will talk to us on the subject of "Designing with Plants and Water".
We meet at the Duchy College, Rosewarne, on the fourth Monday of every month, at 7.30 pm, including Bank Holidays - this particular meeting occurs on Easter Monday, for example - and we welcome visitors at all meetings. The talks start at 7.30 pm, but you can arrive at any time from 7.00 pm onwards, which enables time to buy plants from our regular members' table-top plant sale.
Please bring a flowering bloom from your garden, to enter in our monthly competition, points being awarded at each meeting. (It would help if you could supply a small piece of paper with your name on to place under your exhibit).

February 28th. 2011

On Monday 28 February 2011 we held our Annual General Meeting. Our Chairman, Bill Herring thanked outgoing committee members Val Macnab and Sarah Graham, for all their hard work over the years.
The AGM was followed by a highly entertaining illustrated talk by Keith Spurgin, entitled "F H Davey and his Flora of Cornwall". F H Davey was born in 1868 and brought up in Ponsonooth, eventually moving to Perranwell Station, and he became an enthusiastic plant collector and botanist, writing a book "Flora of Cornwall, whilst also working at the Bissoe arsenic works. It was a fascinating talk, given in such an interesting and lively way, and proved popular with the members. This was followed by our usual table top plant sale, refreshments, raffles, and monthly flower competition.
Our next meeting will be on Monday 28 March 2011, when Mr Charles Williams, from Both Burncoose and Caerhays, will speak to us about "The origins of x williamsii camellias at Caerhays", and the talk will start at 7.30 pm.

January 24th. 2011

Our illustrated talk on Monday 24 January 2011, entitled "Trevarno - Past, Present and Future", was given by Cilla George, who turns her hand to many different areas of work at Trevarno. We learned that the present house was built in 1838 on 15th century foundations, the original house being owned by the Arundel family. The well known boathouse was completed in 1877, being a very popular status symbol at that time. So a very informative talk, followed by our usual table-top plant sale and refreshments.
On Monday 28 February 2011 we will be holding our Annual General Meeting before our talk. The AGM will start promptly at 7.15 and the talk follows at 7.30pm, so members are asked to arrive earlier than usual please this month. Our talk will be by Keith Spurgin, and his subject is "F H Davey and his Flora of Cornwall". (We decided not to hold our charity plant sale/auction this year on our AGM evening - members find it a difficult month to produce sufficient plants and it is a busy meeting with the AGM as well as the usual talk). We will hold our regular table-top plant sale, if you come along from 7.00 pm onwards, you will find time for this, and don't forget the "Flower of the Month" competition too. So far it is providing friendly rivalry within the committee, so we would like to see more members entering too!

December 13th. 2010

On Monday 13 December 2010 we enjoyed our Christmas social evening, commencing with a demonstration entitled "Christmastime" by flower arranger Yvonne George. Yvonne showed us a beautiful alternative Christmas tree, and we were shown how to make several other floral arrangements using seasonal flowers, foliage and some unusual containers. We then held our Christmas raffle, some of Yvonne's handiwork kindly being donated to add to the prizes. Our competition winner - for a floral display entitled "Something from your shed", was won by one of our most experienced gardeners, Mrs Eunice Woolcock, with her very novel and neat arrangement in a garden trowel. We then enjoyed a Christmas supper provided by all the members present.
Our next meeting will be on Monday 24 January 2011 when Cilla George will be talking about "Trevarno - Past, Present and Future". We meet at the Duchy College, Rosewarne, on the fourth Monday of every month, at 7.30 pm, including Bank Holidays, and welcome visitors at all meetings. (Please note that January has five Mondays, this can confuse us, Monday 24th is still the fourth Monday of the month!) If you can arrive from 7.00 pm onwards you will have time to buy plants from our regular members' table-top plant sale and perhaps bring a flowering bloom from your garden to enter in our new monthly competition - points will be won, the yearly winner being announced at our AGM in February. (Committee members - a seasonal reminder - next committee meeting is just before the January talk, on Monday 17th January 2011 at 7.00 pm)

November 22nd. 2010

On Monday 22 November our speaker was Peter Levis of Heligan Gardens. Peter gave an enthralling talk on the rediscovery and restoration of the gardens, with fascinating stories to illuminate the process. Such as the fact that nobody knew the Northern Summerhouse was there until a dog got lost in the undergrowth and had to be rescued. As well as restoring the gardens, much effort is now going into improving facilities for wildlife, with cameras being positioned around the gardens, giving live feeds on the activities of barn owls, kingfishers etc. The talk was followed by our usual refreshments, table top plant sale and new flower competition.
Our December Christmas social evening will be on Monday 13 December 2010 - please note - a departure from our usual fourth Monday of the month meetings. Yvonne George will be giving a demonstration entitled "Christmastime", followed by our Christmas raffle and the judging of the competitions. Members will supply refreshments, our Christmas competition will be on the theme of "Something from your Shed", no larger than 18 inches square please, and one entry per person only. Still bring a flower along from your garden for the new monthly competition, if any can be found hiding under possible snow! (We won't be holding our usual sale of plants this evening). The demonstration will start at 7.30 promptly.

October 25th. 2010

On Monday 25 October 2010 our speaker was Dan Thomas, a regular popular speaker from The Potager Garden at Constantine. This time we learned about permaculture, and his illustrated talk really made us all think about the subject, and was highly informative and enjoyable. This was followed by our usual refreshments and table top plant sale.
Our next talk will be on Monday 22 November 2010, by Peter Lavis from Heligan, his subject being "Heligan - Restoration of the Lost Gardens".
Our December Christmas social evening needs to be advertised here as we depart from our usual fourth Monday of the month because of Christmas. We will meet on Monday 13 December, and not on our usual fourth Monday of the month, with a demonstration by Yvonne George entitled "Christmastime". (There will be Christmas refreshments supplied by members, and a competition - this year entitled "Something from your Shed", no larger than 18 inches square please, and one entry per person only).

September 27th. 2010

On Monday 27 September 2010 Jonathan Hutchinson gave us an extremely interesting illustrated talk on "A trek in the foothills of Kanchenjunga, Nepal". Jonathan is a passionate horticulturalist, in charge of Lady Anne's Garden at RHS Rosemoor, North Devon, and he had travelled down to Cornwall to describe to us the journey that he and his wife took on their trek in Nepal. We learned about the country, the people, the flora, their interesting travel companions, the friendly porters and sherpas who accompanied their walk, and all the interesting things that happened along the way.
Our next talk will be on Monday 25 October 2010, when Dan Thomas from The Potager Garden, returns to talk to us, this time his subject will be "How I permacultured my Garden". (We also remind members that Kehelland's Apple Day is on Saturday 9 October, lots to interest everyone there, it has been a very good year for apples!)

August 23rd. 2010

On Monday 23 August 2010 we held our annual summer members' evening. As usual, we were taken around various areas of the Duchy College to see some of the work carried out there, and our leader was John Ashton, the college Nursery Propagator. We were shown the propagation unit and nursery, seeing nursery stock plants at various stages of maturity. The nursery propagates up to 70% of its entire stock from seed and cuttings. We concluded our tour by seeing the propagation mist units, the polytunnels, greenhouses and the plant dispatch area, where plant orders are collated. The tour was followed by our usual August refreshments of pasties, tea and coffee.
A thank you to John Ashton, for kindly taking members around his working environment, it was an extremely interesting evening for everyone.
We return to our usual format of talks on 27 September 2010, when the speaker will be Jonathan Hutchinson, from RHS Rosemoor Gardens, and his subject will be "A trek in the foothills of Kanchenjunga, Nepal". (Please note, we revert to our usual refreshments, pasties are only served in August each year!)

July 26th. 2010

On Monday 26 July 2010, members experienced a very interesting illustrated talk by Rodger Dewhurst, who spoke about his many years of keeping bees, and his impressive work, which has taken him into the forefront of research into the varroa virus and its effects on bees. A fascinating talk with positive messages for the future.
Our next meeting will be on Monday 23 August 2010, when we depart from our usual format and take a walk around the College grounds, followed by a pasty supper. Members should be sure to arrive promptly so that the walk can start at 7.30 pm.
We meet at the Duchy College, Rosewarne, on the fourth Monday of every month at 7.30 pm, including Bank Holidays, and we welcome visitors at all meetings. If you can arrive from 7.00 pm onwards you will have more time to buy plants from our regular members' table-top plant sale - except this particular Monday, as when we hold our pasty supper evening we don't have a plant sale - members please note!)

June 28th. 2010

On Monday 28 June 2010 we were entertained by a very enjoyable illustrated talk on the gardens, crops and wilderness areas of Madeira, given by Catherine Cutler from the Eden Project. With many members having visited this lovely island, it renewed memories of how beautiful it is, and encouraged others to think about visiting there! It is known as the "Flower Island" and its climate and terrain certainly encourage beautiful flowers and very useful and exotic crops.
The Duchy College Open Day on 19 June 2010 had proved very successful, with members taking part with our own plant sales - thank you to our volunteers lead by Cathrine Wales.
As Catherine Cutler is from the Eden Project, we were able to discuss the apprenticeship that Eden runs in partnership with the college, which encourages people of all ages to take up a career in horticulture. The Duchy College has been proved to be one of the most outstanding colleges in its field, and members were all very proud hearing this news, many of us being past students.
Our next talk will be on Monday 26 July 2010 on the subject of bees and will be given by Rodger Dewhurst. This will be followed by our usual refreshments, plus our plants for sale.

May 25th. 2010

On Monday 25 May 2010 our visiting speaker was Neil Armstrong. The members enjoyed his illustrated talk about his own Tremeneere Sculpture Gardens and also about various parts of the world he has visited. Tremeneere means 'place of the long stones' and the gardens cover 16 acres, overlooking Mounts Bay, in a frost-free, sheltered environment. This is why plants from all over the world can grow there. (Open weekends and Bank Holidays until the end of October 2010 - visit www.tremenheere.co.uk for full details). The fee for the evening was donated, at Neil's request, to the Medical Foundation (for Victims of Torture).
A date for the diary - on Saturday 19 June 2010, Duchy College, Rosewarne, holds its annual Open Day between the times of 11 am and 3pm, and there will be something to interest the whole family. (Free entry and parking, for more details look at www.duchy.ac.uk) There will also be plants for sale, including our own Rosewarne Garden Society table, so if members have plants to sell please take them along, earlier than the opening time, so that they can be included in the sale.
Our next talk will be on Monday 28 June 2010 when Catherine Cutler from the Eden Project will be talking to us on the subject of 'Madeira - gardens, crops and wilderness' and this will be followed by our usual refreshments, plus our plants for sale.

April 26th. 2010

On Monday 26 April 2010 Sue Scott, from the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, gave us an illustrated talk on the subject of "Gardening for Wildlife". She explained about the importance of gardens for wildlife, showing us beautiful phographs of the most common animals and birds found. Then Lisa Rennocks, from the Environmental Department, followed on with a talk about invasive plants, in particular the ones that are found in our ponds, so a very informative evening with both talks, followed as usual by refreshments and our table-top plant sale.
Our next talk will be on Monday 24 May 2010 when Neil Armstrong will be speaking about the Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens .

March 22nd. 2010

On Monday 22 March 2010 our speaker was Mark Wash, from Trecanna Nursery, near Liskeard. Mark gave an illustrated talk on his experiences of plant hunting in the mountains of South Africa, specifically in the Eastern Cape, and also in Lesotho and Swaziland. It was a very interesting talk with fantastic slides of mountains and plants. (Trecanna Nursery will be having its annual South African Weekend on the 7th and 8th August, with a small entry fee which all goes to charity). The talk was followed by our usual refreshments, and table-top plant sale.
Our next talk will be on Monday 26 April, at 7.30 pm, and the speaker will be Sue Scott of the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, who will talk about "Gardening for Wildlife".

February 22nd. 2010

On Monday 22 February 2010 we held our Annual General Meeting which was followed by a very interesting illustrated talk by Tamasin Battell, Gardener and Warden in Charge at the National Trust house and gardens, Trerice. We learned a great deal about the history of both the house and the gardens, many facts possibly unknown to members before Tamasin's talk. This was followed by a question and answer session and our usual refreshments, and our table top plant sale. The entire proceeds this month went to the Precious Lives Appeal for the children's hospice being built in Cornwall, over £55 being raised by members kindly donating plants and then buying more.
Our next meeting will be on Monday 22 March 2010 when our speaker will be Mark Wash of Trecanna Nursery, and his subject will be "Plant Hunting in the Mountains of South Africa". The talk will start at 7.30 pm.

January 25th. 2010

On Monday 25 January 2010, the illustrated talk was by David Chapman and his subject was "Garden Birds". It proved hugely popular, a large number of members attended and we all enjoyed the beautiful photographs and extremely interesting talk about the birds we see in our gardens. This was followed by a lively question and answer session and our usual refreshments.
Our next meeting will be on Monday 22 February 2010, and we will begin with our Annual General Meeting, followed by a talk from James Breslin, Assistant Property Manager at the National Trust property Trerice. His subject will be "Trerice - House and Garden". We would appreciate it if members could be seated by the earlier time of 7.15pm, to enable us to hold our AGM promptly and then to start the talk on time at 7.30 pm.
At this February meeting we will also be holding our annual charity table-top sale of plants, when members donate plants to be sold, the proceeds going to the Precious Lives Appeal. Please bring as many plants as you can, ask neighbours and friends for contributions and then buy some more to support our very worthwhile Cornish appeal. (Remember that all the money raised by the sale of plants this month goes to the appeal). N.B. We won't be auctioning any plants remaining to be sold this time - it takes too long. Owners of unsold plants will be able to take them home.

December 14th. 2009

We held our annual Christmas evening on Monday 14 December, when Helen Thomas demonstrated how to make beautiful table decorations for the festive season. Helen concentrated on using greenery and stems that we could all perhaps find locally, recycled Christmas decorations and containers, adding to these some beautiful seasonal flowers.
We followed this with Christmas refreshments provided by members and our raffle competitions. Helen kindly donated her finished table decorations to our prizes, which were appreciated by those with winning tickets!
Our next meeting will be on Monday 25 January 2010, when we will have an illustrated talk by David Chapman and his subject will be "Garden Birds". This will be followed by our usual refreshments (no Christmas buffet this time!).

November 23rd. 2009

Our Chairman, Bill Herring, opened the meeting on Monday 23 November by telling the members of the sudden death of one of our members. Brian Libby, together with his wife Daphne, had always been a regular and loyal member of the society, providing us with countless plants and expertise, and we were all very sorry to hear the sad news. Our very best wishes go to Daphne and family.
Our lecture that evening was by Peter Blake, a retired County Horticultural Adviser in Cornwall, and his subject was "Creating a Fertile Soil". It was a fascinating talk, illustrated with slides showing us how we could all improve our gardens if we paid a bit of attention to the right way to do things, thereby saving both money and time and ending up with very productive soil. This was followed by a lively question and answer session and our usual refreshments.
Our next meeting departs from our usual fourth Monday in the month, and will be held on 14 December 2009. Our Christmas social evening is held every December and as usual we will have a flower arranging demonstration, this year by Helen Thomas, entitled "Christmas Creations". (After Christmas we return to our fourth Monday in the month, the first 2010 lecture taking place on Monday 25 January). Helen's talk will start at 7.30 but please come along a bit earlier, ready for a prompt start (although we won't be holding our usual table top plant sale this evening).

October 26th. 2009

On Monday 26 October 2009 Dan Thomas, from the Potager Garden in Constantine, entertained us with a fascinating illustrated talk entitled "From Brambles to Blackcurrants" - showing us how the Potager Garden was developed from a very overgrown area a few years ago into an attractive and thriving nursery today. This was followed by an enthusiastic question and answer session and our usual table-top plant sales and refreshments.
Our next talk will be on Monday 23 November 2009 when Peter Blake, a retired County Horticultural Adviser, will talk to us on the subject of "Creating a Fertile Soil".
We hold our meetings on the fourth Monday of every month (usually including Bank Holidays) at the Duchy College, Rosewarne, at 7.30 pm. Our December meetings though are always slightly earlier in the month, this year on 14 December.

September 28th. 2009

On Monday 28 September we had an illustrated talk by Keith Spurgin, botanist and writer, entitled "Enjoying weeds". We certainly did enjoy them because he was such an entertaining speaker. A lively question and answer session followed and a total of £13.94 was later raised for society funds, by donations for plants kindly brought in by Mr Spurgin, and a thank you to him for that kind thought.
Next month, on Monday 26 October, we will have an illustrated talk by Dan Thomas, from The Potager Garden in Constantine, and the subject will be "From brambles to blackcurrants".

August 24th. 2009

Our yearly Members' Meeting commenced with a walk following Bill Herring, our Chairman and Head of Horticulture at the Duchy college, around the college grounds. We saw a bumper harvest of pears and apples in the orchards, plus many other crops growing, and very successful vegetable gardens. After this tour we tucked into our annual pasty supper, kindly arranged as usual by Gill Datson and enjoyed by all.
Our next evening on Monday 28th. September will be back to our usual talks and this one will be by Keith Spurgin, botanist and writer, who will talk to us about "Enjoying Weeds"!

July 27th. 2009

We enjoyed a very different talk this week. Simon Miles, from the Herb Garden at Budock Water, had chosen the subject "Medicinal Herbs For You" and we learned how to prepare herbs as tinctures, infusions, decoctions or oils. He had brought along various tinctures which members were able to sample, some bitter, some hot, but all very interesting! The meeting was followed by our usual refreshments.
Our next meeting is our annual Members Meeting, on Monday 24 August, when we take a walk around current horticultural projects at the Duchy College, and follow this with a pasty supper. It is important to note that pasties must be booked in advance, so if members haven't already done so via the form available at the last two meetings, please telephone 01209 842540 before 20 August to ensure you get your pasty! Visitors are also very welcome to come along on this evening too; just telephone the above number if you would like to book a pasty and join us as usual or, if you prefer an evening without a pasty, then just come along on the 24th. A pasty isn't obligatory!

June 22nd. 2009

On Monday 22 June 2009 we enjoyed an illustrated talk by Mike Mann, Operations Director of Winchester Growers, based at Varfell, just outside Penzance. His subject was "The National Dahlia Collection" and we learned all about taking cuttings, treating pests, coping with the cold and then saw how Winchester Growers set up their gold medal displays at Chelsea. This year they not only won a Gold Medal again but the prestigious President's Award, which is awarded to the President's favourite display in the Great Pavillion at Chelsea.
Our next talk will be on Monday 27 July 2009 when Simon Miles from The Herb Garden, at Budock Water, will speak to us about "Medicinal Herbs for You", to be followed by our usual refreshments. (Committee members - next committee meeting is on Monday 20 July at 7.00 pm.)

May 25th. 2009

Our talk on Monday 25 May was by Barry Champion, previously Head Gardener of Trelissick, and now working on the restoration of Enys Gardens. Barry told the meeting lots of fascinating facts such as that Ennys was the oldest recorded garden in Cornwall (not necessarily the oldest garden, but the oldest recorded). The estate totals 1,000 acres, although it was considerably larger at one time, and the house hasn't been lived in since the second world war, when it was used as a training establishment by the Royal Dutch Navy. Members were interested to learn how the restoration work is progressing and about future plans.
Our next talk will be on Monday 22 June 2009, and the speaker will be Mike Mann and his subject "The National Dahlia Collection".

April 27th. 2009

We were entertained on Monday 27 April 2009 by Carol Richards from the Camborne-Redruth Fuchsia Society, when she gave a talk and slide show on the subject of "Fun with Fuchsias". Carol has such a lovely sense of humour that all the members enjoyed the evening, and we learned a great deal about the history of fuchsias, how and when to take cuttings, preparing for shows, and the art of bonsai - in fact, a whole year in the life of fuchsias.
Our next talk will be on Monday 25 May 2009, when Barry Champion, recently retired from his work as Head Gardener at Trelissick Garden and now involved in the renovation of Enys Gardens will talk about the gardens.
Enys Gardens are open at certain times and days between the beginning of April and the end of September. Go to the website, www.enystrust.org.uk, for opening times. Enys is especially well-known for its abundance of bluebells.

March 23rd. 2009

On Monday 23 March 2009 our speaker was Brian Hiley and his subject was "Going for Gold". We enjoyed his illustrated talk about the success that he and his wife Heather have had winning gold medals at many of the most prestigeous horticultural shows held in this country, including Chelsea and Hampton Court. They proved to be a perfect team, with Brian crediting Heather with the design skills in their winning formula. With such a wealth of experience Brian is now an RHS judge at many of the same horticultural shows.
Our next talk entitled "Fun with Fuchsias" will be on Monday 27 April 2009, by Carol Richards, the Secretary of the Camborne-Redruth Fuchsia Society. Carol has talked to us before and is always a wealth of information about fuchsias. This will be followed by our usual refreshments.

February 23rd. 2009

Our lecture on 23 February 2009 was a change from our original programme. Catherine Cutler from the Eden Project kindly stepped in and talked to us about "Current and Future Plans at Eden". It was a fascinating insight into the workings of such a major Cornish institution and it was followed by an extremely lively question and answer session; obviously the illustrated talk sparked a lot of interest amongst members.
We held our AGM on the same evening, together with our table-top plant sale, which this time was totally in aid of the Precious Lives Appeal. Members might like to know that we raised £91 for the appeal, so thank you to everyone who contributed items to the sale and those who purchased them.
We welcomed one new committee member on Monday, but if anyone else would like to join us, we are keen on new ideas and assistance is always invaluable, so have a word with us at one of the meetings.
Our next talk will be on Monday 23rd. March, when Brian Hiley's subject will be "Going for Gold".

January 28th. 2009

Our meeting on 26 January 2009 started with the sad news that our Vice-Chairman, Richard Jacka, had died the previous week. He was one of the early members of the Society and always committed to helping in any way possible. He will be much missed.
Our talk was by Andrew Thompsett, a much respected local expert and author, who spoke to us about "Bulbs throughout the year". We enjoyed beautiful slides, taking us through from winter, right through to autumn. We followed this with our usual table-top plant sale and refreshments.
In an unavoidable change to our programme, our speaker at our Annual General Meeting on 23 February 2009, will now be Catherine Cutler from the Eden Project, who will talk to us about current and future plans at Eden. This meeting starts at an earlier time than usual, at 7.15 pm, to enable us to hold our AGM prior to the talk which will start at 7.30 pm as usual.
At our AGM it is our custom to hold a table-top sale of plants entirely to benefit a local charity. This year the Precious Lives Appeal has been chosen, and it was the choice of our late Vice-Chairman Richard Jacka. We hope that members will bring along their plants or gardening-connected items. All the proceeds will go to the Appeal, to be followed by our usual refreshments.

December 9th. 2008

On Monday 8th December 2008 we held our Christmas Social Evening. Jenny Walters gave us a very entertaining demonstration of Christmas flower arrangements, giving us some innovative ideas for our own decorations this year. Jenny kindly donated her arrangements to our Christmas raffle, the number of prizes eventually almost outnumbered the numbers of tickets. We then enjoyed a Christmas supper provided by members.
Our next meeting will be on Monday 26 January 2009 when our speaker will be local expert Andrew Thompsett who will talk about "Bulbs through the year".
(Some advance information for members who enjoy growing plants for our table top sales - at our plant sale to be held on the evening of our AGM - Monday 23 February 2009, all the proceeds will go to the Precious Lives Appeal so please plan ahead for this worthwhile cause.
Our annual Christmas dinner will be held on 7 February 2009 at the Penventon Hotel, so anyone still wishing to come will have a chance to book their place at the January meeting).

November 28th. 2008

On Monday 24th November 2008 we enjoyed an illustrated talk and demonstration on the subject of Hellebores by John Mann. John is well known and respected in the county for his knowledge of these plants and for his work with the Cornish Garden Society over many years. His garden opens to the public under the National Gardens (Yellow Book) Scheme in May and June each year.
Our next meeting will be held on Monday 8th December (normally every fourth Monday in the month but we bring it forward during the Christmas month each
year) when we will be having a festive demonstration by Jenny Walters, followed by Christmas refreshments provided by members and our popular Christmas raffle (any suitable prizes which can be donated to the raffle will be very welcome on the night).

October 27th. 2008

On Monday 27 October we enjoyed a beautifully photographed illustrated talk entitled "From China to Trewithen - A Camellia Appreciation Tour" by Gary Long, Head Gardener at Trewithen. It was an interesting evening, with many of us able to improve our geographical and historical knowledge by learning so much about China.
There is a change from our programme for the next meeting. On Monday 24 November, our speaker will now be John Mann, a recognised expert on Hellebores. His garden at Higher Truscott, Launceston, opens to the public regularly under the National Gardens Scheme.
Please note that our December meeting is not on the fourth Monday of the month as usual but on Monday 8 December when we are holding our Christmas Social Evening. We will have a demonstration by Jenny Walters, followed by Christmas refreshments, raffle and competition. For more information please call our Membership Secretary on 01208 820219. N.B. The evening starts at the usual time of 7pm.
The competition on December 8 is for a Christmas table decoration. This should be no more than 12" by 12" by 12" including candle height, if used. No more than one entry per member. Please hand your decoration to Bev on the way into the meeting.
Gill will be asking members at the November 24 meeting to sign up to bring Christmas food on December 8. The aim is a wide range of sweet and savoury food. If possible please bring your contribution ready plated so it can be put straight on the table. If you haven't been able to sign up, please bring something anyway!
We're also hoping for lots of raffle donations for the 8th. Please bring them on the day - and buy some raffle tickets too!