Notices
August 2010

There has been a programme change on 4 Sept. The speaker will now be Howard Drury and the title of the talk is "40 Years at Ashwood Nursery". Howard works part-time at Ashwood as a guide and the talk will cover hellebores, hepaticas, hardy cyclamen, hydrangeas and other plants. It will be a digital presentation.

We had an excellent meeting. Unfortunately the speaker originally advertised, Paul Williams, could not come for that meeting, but he will be coming next year in the summer. In his place we had Dr Andrew Ward who visited us in October 09 when he spoke on woodland gems. This time his lecture was 'Marvellous Mints and Perfect Poppies'. He gave an excellent talk and had a lot of plants to sell. In fact our tables were groaning with members' offerings. A very good turnout.

Coffee mornings. Thanks to Margaret Lewis for starting the season at Broadwas, a beautiful day when we raised £46. John and Vivienne McGhee held a very successful morning and raised £76. Lynda Niccolls is the last this year on the 17th August at 70 Park Avenue, Worcester.

Outings. Sue Chitty is hoping to receive the money for the October visit to Lord Hesletine's garden in September. And she is looking for more partakers.

The July meeting is an away day to Orleton House starting at 2.00pm. We are having a talk by the owners before they take us on a tour. Members are being paid for by the society; visitors will have to pay £6.00 per head. If folks would like lunch or tea afterwards, John McGhee has arranged for the Great Witley tea rooms to provide lunch for £7.00 a head, two courses + teas as you like. If you would like lunch contact John. The gardens are closing to the public after this year so this is a last opportunity to see them. They were originally designed by a former secretary of the Worcestershire group of the HPS.

Succession planning. We are appealing for any member who would like to offer a little time to come and join us on the committee

A very good meeting in May with 10 visitors and about 50 members. Bob Brown gave a lively and informative talk based on his choice of 30 best plants.

Outing Friday 18th June to Windy Ridge and Cruckfield House still has places available, £25. Contact Sue Chitty

The Staffordshire group wanted to thank Worcestershire members for all their help and support during this Malvern show. They intend doing the garden again next year and hope that some of our members would be able to assist in the construction of the garden. There is no responsibility for plant choices, design or structure, just pure labouring with the promise of a ticket to go round the show afterwards. Contact Ruth Plant, Staffordshire HPS, or David Pollitt.

The July meeting will be at Orleton House. Maps are online and will be available at the information table at meetings. This is probably the last time this award winning garden will be open with the present owners. The society is paying the entry fee and all money goes to charity. The garden was designed about 12 years ago by a member of the Worcestershire HPS group so do try and come. You could link it with a visit to great Witley Court and Church.

Jackie asked that all those who have conservation plants, if they are large enough, try to propagate them and let her know of your successes.

City of Worcester Parks dept is holding a Show in Gheluvelt Park, Barbourne on the Saturday 14th August (not Sunday 15th as previously stated). We, along with other specialist groups, have been asked to exibit. It would be a good way to publicise our group. We need an organiser and then we need volunteers to prepare the stall, man it and to grow and provide plants for us to sell. Help us, it can be fun.

Staffs group are preparing the stand for Malvern again and are looking for volunteers to provide plants and labour in exchange for a free ticket to the show. Contact Ruth Plant. May 6th to 9th.

There is still room for one or two more people on the trip to Cornwall, but booking will close at the end of February.

As part of the Westonbirt Garden restoration, we are looking for information on penstemons and asters from 1910 or earlier. Please let David Pollitt know if you have anything relevant.

For future meetings, as well as the usual growers and donated tables of plants for sale, we plan to have a 'plant of the month'. Please bring either a plant, eg in a pot, or a flower and leaf. If you know about the plant and can answer questions about it, that would be good. If you don't know what it is, maybe someone will be able to help.

There is a new page on this website with links to photo galleries of gardens, but there aren't very many pictures of members' gardens. If you have any pictures of your own or other members' gardens that could be added to the collection, please let Colin have them, either by email, or post a disc or prints, or give them to him at a meeting.

The March meeting will start with the AGM. The notice for it was in the Autumn newsletter, including a form for nominations for committee members.

Members will be given publicity leaflets advertising the HPS and Worcestershire Group to give to friends and neighbours who might be interesting in coming to meetings/joining the society.

Bob Brown is looking for paid help at his nursery at Badsey. The days are negotiable and variable but will include weekend working. Interested? If so ring Bob or Diana or Ed on 01386 47337 or 07813 323658.

Dial Park at Chaddesley Corbett will be open under the NGS on Wed/Thur 17/18 February between 11am and 4 pm.

The deadline for articles for the spring newsletter is Saturday 13 February. Please send contributions to Judith Doughty.

The Christmas meeting on Saturday December 12th starts an hour earlier than usual at 1.00pm. Please bring a plate of food that can be shared with all at the meeting. Drinks will be provided.

Cornwall trip - there are still a few places available. Contact David Pollitt.

The group subscription for 2010 will be payable from the next meeting, £12.50 for the year.

The deadline for articles for the newsletter is October 15. Please send them to Judith Doughty.

Jackie Davies has not been able to contact everyone who has plants through the conservation scheme. If you have one of these plants and have propagated it, would you let her know so that she can arrange for distibution.

David is arranging a Cornish trip for the spring. Please let him know if you are interested.

Coffee Mornings: 15th July, Alan and Sylvia Hale, 10 to 12 mid day. Alan wants members to realise they are a mile from Hidcote and Kiftsgate. So make a day of it, visit Alan and Sylvia's garden, have lunch at Hidcote and then visit Kiftsgate. On 15th August Gillian Stone is welcoming members from 10 to 12 mid day. She lives in St James Close, Littleworth.

Summer Outing to Hampton Court and Stocktonbury 25th July. There are still places available. Pick up points along the route from Peopleton at Worcester and Bromyard if requested.

Articles for the newsletter to Judith Doughty by 15th October.

Thank you to David Pollitt for a very successful garden trip to Dorset.

Thank you to Liz and Ian Thorpe for opening their garden to host the summer party. A lovely evening in a typical country garden.

Additional pick up points in Worcester and Bromyard have been arranged for the Summer Outing on Saturday 25th July

Vivienne McGhee is going to the Geranium Day on 20 June. If anyone would like to join her, please get in touch with her.

Tony Rogers, who has been an HPS member for 15 years, is standing for the RHS board and he would appreciate votes from HPS members who are also members of the RHS.