SURREY HORTICULTURAL FEDERATION

Chairman: Mr. Richard Tabor, Secretary: Mrs. Janet Arm 17 Bax Close, Redleaf Nursery, Cranleigh, Green Lane,Tilford, Surrey. GU6 7NB Farnham, GU10 2AP Tel: 01483-277494 Tel: 01252-783133 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

SPRING NEWSLETTER SHF GARDEN VISIT Sunday 7th August, 2016 BARNETT HILL HOUSE Blackheath Lane, Wonersh, Guildford GU5 0RF By kind permission of Sundial Venues

Entry 2.30 – 4.30 pm Cost £6 pp. Teas available

On a wooded hilltop with magnificent views, the Queen-Anne style house was built by the grandson of Thomas Cook, and then became the headquarters of the Red Cross. The 26 acres of garden are always evolving and improving, though the buildings, lily ponds and mature trees show how the estate originally looked. Only open one day under the National Gardens Scheme, the gardens will be opened especially for SHF clubs.

Wonersh is south of Guildford on the Cranleigh road. As you approach the village from the north, turn left into Blackheath Lane – the signpost says Barnett Hill – and make your way slowly up the narrow lane. At the top of the hill turn right into Barnett Hill House –parking will be marked.

So that we can have an idea of numbers, if club Secretaries could inform the SHF secretary of roughly the number likely to attend this would be a great help!

EARLY SPRING TALK.

Normandy Hall had a large audience for our talk by Tom Hart-Dyke, and what an interesting afternoon it was! Tom talked about his plant hunting trip which went from being a perfect day one minute with orchids everywhere, to being captured by a group of young gun-carrying natives and held for 9 months. He described his meals – including parrots, monkeys and tarantulas (apparently a speciality of the forest) – and how they were bitten by every insect going, then he was suddenly released and given all his original paperwork back, including his travellers cheques!

He then went on to tell us about laying out his ‘world garden’ at Lullingstone Castle, and showed some wonderful pictures of plants he has since collected from around the world – though how he dared to go back to South America beats me!

Sorry some of you couldn’t make it because it was Mothers Day – but unfortunately this wasn’t shown in the diary when we booked Tom a year beforehand. Watch this space for next year’s speaker!

NEW WEBSITE.

The SHF is planning to have a website, and this will be run by our new committee member Beth Otway (who has her own website at www.pumpkinbeth.com)

We need to make sure that your clubs are given publicity without giving out information that you do not want, i.e. Secretaries addresses, so could you please fill in the questionnaire on the last page so that we can go ahead a.s.a.p.

The website will also carry details of other specialist societies – full details have been obtained via the RHS – so that you can contact any of them if you wish to, and we hope it will reach new members of the public trying to find garden clubs.

CALLING ALL PLANT BREEDERS.

The RHS would like to know if there are any amateur or hobby breeders with a particular area of interest (and hopefully some success) in breeding their specialist plant. They can be at any stage as long as there is some information and plant material which could be followed up. There is a possible project in very early stages as part of the Plants for the Future Initiative which may lead to a feature.

If you are interested, please contact Vanessa Penn direct at the RHS on 01483-226522(Mon-Wed) or by email at [email protected]

CHARITY OPEN GARDEN – An Afternoon with Chris Beardshaw at Monksfield House

Want to see Chris Beardshaw again? Mark and Kerry Reynolds of Monksfield House, Charles Hill, Tilford, GU10 2AS are opening their lovely 10.5 acre restored garden for an ‘Afternoon Tea with Chris Beardshaw’ on Friday 1st July this year in aid of the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice at Farnham. The cost is £35 per person to include tea. The gardens will be open from 12pm, with Tea starting at 2pm then a question and answer session with Chris. There is also a Plant Sale. It is an all ticket event, and tickets are very limited so prebook now on 01252-729446 or go to www.pth.org.uk

If you can’t get to the above, then the gardens will be open the following day under the National Gardens Scheme from 10.30 to 5.30 at £5 pp. There will be Home made Teas and the Plant Sale. All money raised will go to Charity.

TOWNHILL PARK HOUSE GARDENS - SO18 3RR

These beautiful gardens are a classic example of the work of Gertrude Jekyll, and their Open Days are as follows:

Monday 2nd May (Bank Holiday) 2-5 pm. – Look for the blossom trees and bluebells in the Arboretum. The school’s Jazz band will play and there will be a classic car display. Sunday 3rd July 2-5 pm. Enjoy the music of Meridian Winds and a Regency Dancing demonstration in the Hall. Sunday 11th September (Heritage Day) 2-5 pm.The house will also be open this day. Free Admission and Parking.

How to find them: From the A27 at Allington Lane roundabout (by service station) take Townhill Way signposted Bitterne. After Two Brothers Pub turn right into Atlantic Park View, signposted The Gregg School, and enter grounds via iron gates at end of the road. Website: www.gregg-school-trust.co.uk/greggs/gardens/townhill-park.asp FEEDBACK INFORMATION.

Many thanks to some new clubs who have started sending back these forms. If you haven’t got the last edition which has a score out of 10 box please ask for one. Several clubs have said how useful they find these lists, and they have brought us some new names of speakers who are not on the Guild lists.

Please note that all information about speakers/lecturers and other members events is for SHF CLUBS ONLY. If you have a problem with a speaker in the Surrey Guild, please inform their Secretary Sheila Rapley on 01428-682149(before 9pm).

Speaker Talk Comments Score(out of 10)

Jim Arbury R.H.S. Fruit for the small garden. Lots of details of good fruit varieties, possibly 8 Details on lecturers list. Tel: 01932-343812 little technical for some members. Good slides.

Sally Burr Natural Christmas Decorations Demo. of wreathes from foliage, berries etc. [email protected] All very interested – brought accessories for sale. 9

Jennifer Carter Monet – his home and garden Very good photographs and everyone found the [email protected] talk interesting. 8

Derrick Donnison-Morgan Flora of Madeira Superb slides giving insght to the flora and terrain [email protected] of the island. Enjoyed by all the audience. 9.5

Jill Fry Spring Flowers in 3 counties Excellent, really enjoyed the presentation. 10 (2 clubs) Surrey Landscapes & Flowers Showed old and new maps, lovely photos. 10 Details on lecturers lists (01252-702513) Jill is always very entertaining.

Paul Gallivan Woolbeding Gardens Superb slides of this lovely garden - made all 10 [email protected] members want to visit it! A natural speaker.

Carol Gubler A year on a Fuchsia Nursery Talk on history or nursery and details of taking 9 Details on lecturers lists. (01252-329731) cuttings. Very good and humorous talk.

Keith Harmon Just Divine – Water divining. Interesting and Informative slides and audience able 7 [email protected] (0208 751 0417) to take part in an experiment of dowsing.

Geoff Hawkins Planning & Planting a Border Excellent collection of slides of various sized gardens. 10 Details on lecturers lists (01420-88176) Lots of information, a very good speaker.

Peter Herring Winkworth Arboretum Trees throughout the seasons pointing out particular 10 Details on lecturers lists. (01428-683281) specimens, with current slides. Would have him again.

Colin Jones Secret Gardens of London Superb photographs and fascinating information. 10 Details on lecturers lists. (0208 668 1309) Printed lists of gardens for us to take away.

David (Dusty) Miller Pelargoniums Very good slides, and audience very interested in his 6 Details on lecturers lists. (01483-566528) subject. Presentation a little slow.

John Negus Winter Wonderland and Very good. All enjoyed his talk, plus free seeds. 9 (2 clubs) Gardening with Flair. Wonderful knowledge of plants – always full 9 Details on lecturers lists. (Tel 01252-721608) of fun and flair. Everyone is engaged in the talk.

Barry Newman Vegetable Growing Quality of presentation excellent, knows his subject! 10 (2 clubs) The Modern Kitchen Garden Audience really appreciated talk, gave good tips. 10 Details on lecturers lists. (Tel:01403-711598)

Mark Saunders Garden Photography Well received talk – an interesting and enjoyable 9 [email protected] evening. No-one out of depth technically.

Mrs. Sandy Worth Propagation of garden plants. Talk and demo on plant propagation. Members 8 [email protected] brought material to use. Thought bit expensive.

CLUB EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES – Please contact secretaries direct for further details.

Club Event Contact April 1st Woodham & New Haw The Secret Life of the Mole, by Chris Stewart R. Lambert 01932-343035 2nd Ewell Spring Show, 2.30-4.30 Blenheim High School, Ewell Lynne Mason 0208-393-9257 2nd Headley (Hants) Spring Show Jill Howard-Duff 01428-714073 2nd Puttenham/Wanborough Spring Show, 2 pm at Puttenham Mag. Forwood 01483-813855 3rd Tilford Spring Show 2.30 – 4.00 Janet Arm 01252-783133 4th Ash Parish Story of the National Gardens Scheme. M. Arnott Brenda Winton 01252-318998 4th Esher Molesey Whats in a name? By Peter Almond Ann Beauchamp 0208 9791415 5th Jacobs Well Winkworth Arboretum, with Peter Herring Pam Lomax 01483-767225 5th Lightwater Daffodil Show Jackie Hayler 01276-475622 5th South Nutfield From Pele’s to Pinks by D.James, Allwoods Nursery Ang. Sheppard 01737-823335 5th Wonersh Spring Show and Quiz Val Brockman 01483-893808 6th Staines Villages of Heathrow, by Tom Edbrooke Hugh Wright 07747-640020 7th Sunningdale Cape Flowers & Kirstenbosch Botanic Garden L.Dolan Pat Bond 01344-623891 8th Dunsfold/Hascombe Climate through a gardener’s eyes. Mike Dobell Sue Simper 01483-200286 9th Ash Parish Spring Show Brenda Winton 01252-318998 9th Bramshott/Liphook Spring Show & bring and buy plant sale. 2.00-4.00 Ian Haussauer 01428-723045 9th Churt Spring Show 2.30 pm Anne Butler 01428-713543 9th Chiddingfold Spring Show Marg. Morton 01428-684640 9th Ewhurst Spring Show in Village Hall Anne Dyball 01483-271812 9th Dorking Spring Show 2.30-4.30 North Holmwood V. Hall Shirley Weight 01306-888286 9th Fernhurst Spring Show 2.00 – 4.00 Bob Pennington 01428-664406 9th Frensham Spring Show 2.00-4.00 Caroline Plant 01252-793991 9th Grayshott Spring Show 2.00-4.00 Suzi Gordon 01428-608181 9th Thursley Spring Show 2.30 pm Pat Clake 01252-706869 9th Witley Spring Show 2.30 pm Nadine Hunter 01428-682719 10th Caterham & District Spring Show Mrs Y Perera 01883-625632 11th Brooklands Spring Show Barb. Royston 01932-569441 11th Elstead South Downs Way, with Graham Harding. Sue Taylor 01252-703223 11th Midhurst Tulip Mania, with Lesley Chamberlain Wendy Liddle 01730-813845 11th Plant Heritage From pip to plate, by Jim Arbury . Wendy Bentall 01276-858256 11th Virginia Water Daffodils. (Harry’s night.) Linda Gillham 01932-564834 12th Ashford Spring Show 8.30pm St. Matthews Church Hall Mrs. Mayell 01784-421898 12th Merrow Spring Flowers in three counties, with Jill Fry. Jennifer Bayley 01483-572781 12th Nat. Vegetable Soc. Vegetables & Veg. Growing, Paul Templeton, at Redhill Sally Coleman 0208-399-8809 12th Worplesdon Spring Perennials, with Rosie Hardy. Sheila Dyke 01483-481841 13th Cheam & Cuddington A career in fingerprinting, with Peter Jones N. Clarke 020-8644-9291 13th Virginia Water Harry’s Night – Daffodils Linda Gillham 01932-564834 14th Egham Gardens Spring Show C. Harberd 01784-452146 14th Peaslake/Shere/Gomshall From seed to Plate, by Paolo Arigo At Shere Scilla Roe 01306-731156 16th Banstead Spring Show, plus the Alpine Society. Diana Beck 01737-271243 16th Hardy Plant Society Gardening in the Media, with Steve Bradley 10.15 am Sandra Hartley 01372-728279 18th Brockham Green The Patchwork Garden Project Mary Golding 01737-842326 20th Chiddingfold Heavenly Lilies, with John Baker Marg. Morton 01428-684640 20th Onslow Village Colour in the garden and the vase, with Claire Brown. Anne Bradbeer 01483-563421 20th Sandhurst Late Spring Show, and talk on Roses by David May Christine Dresler01420-768965 20th Whitehill & Bordon Garden Pests, with Andrew Halstead Stephen Miles 01420-478845 21st New Soc. Camberley Fire & Iron Forge and garden ironwork. Lucy Quinnell C.Thompson 01252-837640 26th West End Watercress Growing, by Barrie Arminson Judy Douch 01483-475133 27th Staines Floral Art Demo, Seagulls & Flamingoes. K. Goddard Hugh Wright 07747-640020 28th Blechingley Great plants for problem places. Lesley Chamberlain Patricia Barrett 01737-271588 May 1st Plant Heritage Plant Fair at Denbies Wine Estate Wendy Bentall 01276-858256 2nd Ash Parish Watercress at Abinger Hammer. Barry Arminson Brenda Winton 01252-318998 3rd Jacobs Well Secret Gardens of London, with Colin Jones Pam Lomax 01483-767225 3rd Lightwater The NGS Yellow Book Scheme. Margaret Arnott Lynn Bull 01276-502497 3rd Wonersh What are you doing in the Garden? Jean Griffin Val Brockman 01483-893808 4th Staines Show Time, Chelsea & Hampton Court. Paul Patton Hugh Wright 07747-640020 5th Sunningdale Plant Sale in car park behind Village Hall 6.50 pm Pat Bond 01344-623891 6th Woodham & New Haw The South Downs Way, by Graham Harding R. Lambert 01932-343035 7th Blechingley Plant and Produce Sale 10.30-12.00 The Manse Patricia Barrett 01737-271588 7th Chiddingfold Plant Sale in Village Hall. Marg. Morton 01428-684640 7th Ewhurst Plant Sale in Village Hall Anne Dyball 01483-271812 7th Horsley Plant Sale in West Horsley Village Hall 2-4 pm Kay Clifton 01483-283615 9th Elstead The Secret Life of the Mole, with Chris Stewart Sue Taylor 01252-703223 9th Esher Molesey Clematis through the seasons, by Everet Leeds Ann Beauchamp 0208 9791415 9th Midhurst Big ideas for Small Spaces, with Martyn Cox Wendy Liddle 01370-813845 10th Banstead Open evening, Images of flowers, at Priory School. Diana Beck 01737-271243 10th Worplesdon Origins of the NGS and looking forward. M. Arnott Sheila Dyke 01483-481841 11th Ewell This May Kill You! Deadly plants, with Colin Jones Lynne Mason 0208-393-9257 12th Egham Gardens Windsor Great Park, by Andrew Fielder. C. Harberd 01784-452146 12th Nat. Veg. Society The wonderful world of the Honey Bee, by Lucy Frost Sally Coleman 0208-399-8809 12th Peaslake/Shere/Gomshall Tales from the Potting Shed, with Jean Griffin Scilla Roe 01306-731156 13th Dunsfold & Hascombe The Secret Life of the Mole, with Chris Stewart. Sue Simper 01483-200286 14th Elstead Plant Sale, URChurch Hall 10 am Sue Taylor 01252-703223 14th Headley (Hants) Plant Sale at Village Hall 10.30 am Jill Howard-Duff 01428-714073 14th Puttenham/Wanborough Plant Sale and Demos. Marwick Hall Puttenham Mag. Forwood 01483-813855 14th West End Flower Show in aid of Woking Hospice. Chobham Hall Judy Douch 01483-475133 17th Holmbury St.Mary Saville Gardens, by the Keeper, Harvey Stephens Tracey Bull 01483-893073 18th Cheam & Cuddington Little Mynthurst Farm, with Mark Dobell N. Clarke 020-8644-9291 18th Chiddingfold Designing Show Gardens, with Claire Whitehouse Marg. Morton 01428-684640 18th Leatherhead Features of Hidden Surrey Gardens, by Cherrill Sands Euan Niven 01372-279079 18th Onslow Village The Life & Gardens of Gertrude Jekyll. L. Chamberlain Anne Bradbeer 01483-563421 18th Sandhurst Plant Sale, and talk on Pelargoniums by G.Talbot Pat Bond 01344-623891 18th Whitehill & Bordon Plants and their wicked ways. Alan Martin Stephen Miles 01420-478845 19th New Soc.Camberley Plants for Problem Areas, by Linsey Evans C. Thompson 01252-837640 21st Jacobs Well Plant Sale in Village Hall 10am-12 Pam Lomax 01483-767225 21st Whitehill & Bordon Plant Sale Stephen Miles 01420-478845 23rd Ripley Garden Perennials with Mark Saunders Liz Cooper 01372-458313 24th Milford The story of the National Gardens Scheme. M. Arnott S. Miskimmin 01483-421509 24th West End Japanese Gardens and Plants by Vincent Gradwell Judy Douch 01483-475133 26th Blechingley Dahlias, showing and growing. Darren Everest Patricia Barrett 01737-271588 28th Leatherhead Plant Sale at 19 The Mount, Fetcham Euan Niven 01372-279079 29th Plant Heritage Plant Fair at Ripley Village Hall Wendy Bentall 01276-858256 June 1st Staines Flowers and Veg. Growing & Showing. Geoff Peach Hugh Wright 07747-640020 2nd Sunningdale Pollination, the sex life of flowers. M. Keith Lucas Pat Bond 01344-623891 3rd Woodham & New Haw Tales from the Potting Shed, with Jean Griffin R. Lambert 01932-343035 4th Esher Molesey Blooming Britain, with Colin Jones Ann Beauchamp 0208 9791415 6th Ash Parish All aspects of growing soft fruit. Peter Barwick Brenda Winton 01252-318998 7th Wonersh I am a Tulip. What are you? Jackie Aviolet Val Brockman 01483-893808 8th Virginia Water Vegetables for the Kitchen, by Paul Patton Linda Gillham 01932-564834 11th Banstead Early Summer Show 2-5 at Community Hall Diana Beck 01737-271243 11th Cobham Summer Show Dorothy James 01932-588734 11th South Nutfield Summer Show, in Village Hall Ang. Sheppard 01737-823335 14th Merrow Evening Show, 8.00 St. John’s Centre, Merrow Jennifer Bayley 01483-572781 14th Worplesdon Pond Life/Importance of Water Features. D. Fielding Sheila Dyke 01483-481841 15th Cheam & Cuddington The way to a Wimbledon Lawn, with Paul Patton N. Clarke 020-8644- 9291 15th Onslow Village Around the world in 80 gardens, by Colin Jones Anne Bradbeer 01483-563421 15th Whitehill & Bordon Cottage Gardens, by David Standing Stephen Miles 01420-478845 18th Dunsfold & Hascombe Early Summer Show 2.30-4.30 Winn Hall Sue Simper 01483-200286 18th Ewell Summer Show 2.30-4.30 Blenheim High School Ewell Lynne Mason 0208-393-9257 18th Horsley Summer Show 2pm West Horsley Village Hall Kay Clifton 01483-283615. 18th Sandhurst Summer Flower Show 3 pm Pat Bond 01344-623891 19th Jacobs Well Summer Show in Village Hall Pam Lomax 01483-767225 21st Milford The Beth Chatto Garden, her plants & me. S. Austin S. Miskimmin 01483-421509 25th Headley (Hants) Summer Show 2.30 pm Jill Howard-Duff 01428-714073 25th Milford Summer Show 2-4 pm S. Miskimmin 01483-421509 25th Peaslake/Shere/Gomshall Summer Show, Memorial Hall Peaslake Scilla Roe 01306-731156 28th West End Winkworth Arboretum, by Peter Herring Judy Douch 01483-475133

DATES 2016 – Council Meetings: Onslow Village Hall (Guildford) Committee Room. May 20th, October 21st and November 25th. If you have anything you would like to raise, contact your local committee member (shown on Membership Card) or the SHF Chairman or Secretary.

AGM AND QUIZ: Normandy Village Hall, Sunday 6th November, 2.30pm ………………………… QUESTIONNAIRE FOR OUR NEW WEBSITE.

In order to keep in line with the Data Protection Act, we would like to know how you would like us to promote your club without compromising your security. Could you please let us know which of the following you would be happy with.

Our club is …………………………………………………………………………………………. and we would prefer the following ticked choice:

A. ………. Just the name of our club listed – contact to be made via the SHF Secretary B. ………. The name of our club plus a telephone contact (generally the Secretary). C. ………. The name of our club, name of Secretary and Telephone Number. D. ………. The name of our club, and full contact address of Secretary/main contact E. ………. The name of our club, and our website address, as ………………………………………………………………………………………. As you will appreciate, if most clubs don’t want their names and contact telephone numbers displayed/included we will have to alter the way we do the club events page, possibly by just giving a telephone number. If we can’t put this on the website, then we won’t be able to advertise your event.

Could you please email your answer to SHF Secretary Janet Arm: [email protected] or copy and post the above to her at the address shown on first page of this newsletter. Thank you.