SOMERSET ORGANIC GARDENERS
For the AGM Anne has prepared a statement of our
current finances and this year we have made a small profit.
Two items that appear each year are fees to HDRA
and SFGC. The benefits of belonging to these organizations may not always be
understood.
HDRA is the national association for organic
gardening and it has just changed its name from the Henry Doubleday Research
Association, which was considered cumbersome, to Garden Organic. We receive
their magazine, which is called The
Organic way, four times a year and this has articles on all aspects of
organic gardening. It is available at all meetings. We can receive seeds from
the Heritage Seed Scheme and these are offered at our meetings. These seeds
are not on the national list and therefore they cannot be sold so we are given
twelve small packets. We also have a ticket that gives free admission to the
gardens at Ryton and Yalding. It is available to any SOG member.
SFGC stands for the ‘Somerset Federation of
Gardening Clubs’ and you will see their Newsletter on the notice board.
Through the SFGC we are kept up to date with gardening news in the area. They
provide a list of speakers and events, and we use their scheme to obtain cover
for public liability insurance.
We are always looking for good speakers who are
knowledgeable about organic gardening. Do let any members of the committee
know if you hear of suitable speakers.
One of our recent speakers commented that we
were ‘a lively group’ and even though we have small numbers at our
meetings we are fortunate to have such loyal members --
and they are all good organic gardeners too! Still it would be good to
have more members. See if you can encourage a friend to join in 2006.
If anyone would be prepared to join our committee (Anne, Dinah, Doreen, Mary and Julie) you would be most welcome.
SUMMER PROGRAMME
Saturday
April 22nd 2.00pm
onwards. Colin has invited us to visit his garden at ‘Camborne’, Fivehead to
see the plum blossom, spring flowers and his organic vegetable garden. From
Taunton take the Langport road. Colin’s house is on the left hand side
just after you have passed the Greenshutters Nursery. There is a small
lay-by opposite Colin’s house but take care as this is a fast road. If you
bring something to eat and share, Colin will provide a drink. His telephone
number is 01460 281749
Saturday
May 20th 2.30pm Poplar Herb Farm at Burtle. Richard and
Christine Fish will give a talk and guided walk ‘On planning a culinary
and medicinal herb garden’. £2 a head. You are free to browse and enjoy
the garden all afternoon. Plants for sale.From Bridgwater take the A39
Glastonbury road and after about four miles turn left through Catcott to
Burtle.
Tuesday June 20th 7.00pm Penwood Farm, Parchey, Chedzoy. From Bridgwater take the A39 Glastonbury road and immediately after the bridge over the M5 turn sharp right into Chedzoy Lane. At the T- junction in the village turn left. Pass the church, Penwood Farm is facing you after a sharp LH bend. This garden has everything — terrace, patio and pergola as well as gravel, rock, water and kitchen gardens. 400 varieties of roses, old and modern! Admission £2, children free. Telephone 01278 451631
Tuesday
July 11th 6.30pm
Yews
Farm, East Street, Martock. An
opportunity to visit Louise and Fergus Dowding’s farm which is well
known for its organic vegetables and its amazing flower garden. £3.50 a
head. At Horton Cross on the llminster road take the A303 and then the
B3165 leads to Martock. This visit may involve a slightly longer trip but
it is well worth it.
Tuesday August 15th 7.00pm Frieze Hill Community Orchard and Turner’s Allotments, Staplegrove Road, Taunton. The orchard was started in 2004 and now has dessert, cooking, crab and cider apples, dessert and perry pears. There are nut trees, mulberries and sweet chestnuts. On the allotment site, Mary’s plot tries to show many organic techniques. In Staplegrove Road, look for the turning opposite Taunton School and the Mobility Shop. You can park in the centre of the allotment site.