DOGMERSFIELD WINCHFIELD & CROOKHAM VILLAGE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY August 2019

Having fun at the 66th Flower Show & Fête Sat 13th July 2019

the newsletter of the DW&CVHS The DW&CVHS Newsletter

President: Mrs Pat Silvester

Chairman: Brian Leversha tel 01252-615534

Please contact our temporary Membership Secretary with any queries relating to membership of the Society: Brian Leversha e-mail: [email protected]

Please send all contributions for the newsletter to the editor: Paul Gray e-mail: [email protected]

Between issues of our twice-yearly newsletters, updated information on events/visits can be found on the Society’s website : http://www.dwcvhortsoc.org The Society wishes to thank member David Jackson for continuing to act as our webmaster (and for most of the photos in this edition).

Contents

From our Chairman……………………………………………………...……………… 1

From our Show Entries Managers………………………...………………… 2

Flower Show Winning Entries……..……………………...…………………... 3

Trophy Winners 2019…………………………..…………………...………………. 9

Medal and Trophy Winners……………………………………….………………. 11

Show Reports………………..…………………………………………………………….. 13

AGM Report…………………………………………………………………..…………….. 16

Reports on Winter Talks………………………………………..……...…………. 19

Reports on Garden Visits………………………………………………………….. 23

Forthcoming Events 2019/2020…………………….….……....…………... 28 DW&CVHS August 2019

From our Chairman

The 66th Dogmersfield, including the Punch and Judy, Winchfield and Crookham Village donkeys, Mill Cottage Farm Flower Show and Fête was a animals, the birds of prey and huge success with the weather ferrets were enjoyed by all and fine and sunny. We had all the the children’s games kept the usual fun stalls which gave great children busy and caused laughs enjoyment, mainly to the when the younger ones did not children. understand the rules and went The Flower Marquee had about the games in their own many entries which was a tribute way. to the many exhibitors who made We had model steam the effort to enter. At the trains for the first time and this presentation of was enjoyed by the big prizes it was boys plus, due to good to be the good weath- able to er, we had a present large turnout prizes to of enthusi- many of asts’ cars the of many chil- different dren types and who had ages. won and The motor- see the bikes ended delight on up at our fête their faces. after having done The Tea their charity run Tent was very busy round the countryside selling home-made cakes, teas and made more than £1200 for and cold drinks. the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice. We had the return of the All of this would not Morris Men who encouraged happen without the hard work members of the public to join in and support of the Committee which added to the fun. and our supporters, who we are Terena with her dog and very thankful to, and Alf White geese performed twice in the and family who very kindly allow afternoon and not only gave us to use their farm. information on the job of the See you again next year dog but caused many laughs when on the 18th July 2020. the geese did not do what they Brian Leversha should have been doing. Many of the attractions,

1 DW&CVHS August 2019

From our Show Entries Managers

The Show Tent at the Horticultural competition in certain classes such Show and Fête was once again as potatoes, any other vegetable, packed with produce this year as 57 roses and garden flowers, all of members of the society and local which had seven or more entries per community entered 327 exhibits, class! fielding entries in all but 18 classes Division A also saw the inau- of the Show! gural award of the President’s Tro- In the run up to this year’s phy, donated and awarded by Presi- Show many of us were worried that dent Pat Silvester. This trophy, the odd weather this year would awarded for the President’s choice, hamper the number of entries to went to Jenny Thomas for her out- the Show in Division A (vegetables, standing pot plant in Class 38. fruit and flowers). We are there- The flower arranging in fore incredibly pleased to report Division B also increased in entries, that the number of entries saw a almost doubling from last year to 17 strong increase to 169 in Division A, entries. As ever, it was wonderful to up from 115 at the 2018 Show. watch these masterpieces come There were good entries together in the tent in the morning across the board, with some strong and we hope that you enjoyed looking at them during the Show. Entries in Division C (Domestic classes) increased by 27 to 66, including an amazing compli- ment of 10 jam entries, 8 flap jack entries, and 6 entries for both the new recipe walnut-and-coffee cake and family fruit cake. Division C took the longest to judge, as the judge took the time to consider diligently each exhibit on both its appearance and taste. After being introduced a couple of years ago, the decorated egg category was incredibly popular with 7 entries. Choosing to award a

President ’s Cup winning entry by Jenny Thomas …….continued on page 12 2 DW&CVHS August 2019 Flower Show Winning Entries

Rule 9 States: Classes with three or less entries will normally be eligible for one prize only. Classes with four entries will normally be eligible for two prizes only. This will not apply to Division D and Division E Classes 120 and 125.

No Division A Entries 1st 2nd 3rd

Vegetables Paul and Helen 1 1 N/A N/A 4 varieties Baker Vegetables 2 0 N/A N/A N/A 1 of a kind Paul and Helen 3 Potatoes 7 Helen Howard Philippa Withers Baker

4 Onions 5 Annette Blackwell Helen Howard Roger & Joan

Paul and Helen 5 Carrots 3 Emma Shaw N/A Baker Roger & Joan 6 Beans, Runner 1 N/A N/A Jones Beans, Dwarf Malcolm 7 2 Philippa Withers N/A French Hitchcock Roger & Joan Malcolm 8 Beans, Broad 3 Philippa Withers Jones Hitchcock Roger & Joan 9 Cabbages 2 Philippa Withers N/A Jones

10 Cauliflowers 0 N/A N/A N/A

11 Calabrese 0 N/A N/A N/A

12 Peas 1 Helen Howard N/A N/A

13 Beetroot 1 Emma Shaw N/A N/A

14 Radishes 0 N/A N/A N/A

Tomatoes, 15 0 N/A N/A N/A regular fruited

Tomatoes, 16 0 N/A N/A N/A Small fruited Malcolm 17 Mange Tout 3 Viv Taylor N/A Hitchcock

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No Division A Entries 1st 2nd 3rd

18 Lettuce 3 Philippa Withers Amanda Leathers Carol Leversha

Shallots, 19 1 Carol Leversha N/A N/A Exhib’n ≥30mm Shallots, 20 1 Carol Leversha N/A N/A Pickling ≤30mm

21 Cucumbers 6 Emma Shaw Philippa Withers Amanda Leathers

22 Marrows ≤14” 0 N/A N/A N/A

Malcolm Roger & Joan 23 Courgettes 4 Philippa Withers Hitchcock Jones

Paul & Helen Malcolm 24 Rhubarb Sticks 6 Emma Shaw Baker Hitchcock

Paul & Helen Paul & Helen 25 Any vegetable 7 Jeremy Bates Baker Baker

26 Garden Curiosity 2 Philippa Withers Helen Howard N/A

Paul & Helen 27 Herbs collection 4 Tony Gower-Jones Tina Collins Baker

28 Family collection 3 Annette Blackwell Tony Gower-Jones Tina Collins

Malcolm 29 Raspberries 3 Tina Collins Philippa Withers Hitchcock Malcolm Paul & Helen 30 Currants, black 4 Tony Gower-Jones Hitchcock Baker Currants, white Paul & Helen 31 2 Tony Gower-Jones N/A or red Baker Paul & Helen Malcolm 32 Gooseberries 5 Philippa Withers Baker Hitchcock

33 Strawberries 0 N/A N/A N/A

34 Apples 2 Lucinda Evans N/A N/A

35 Fruit collection 1 Tina Collins N/A N/A

36 Any other fruiit 3 Manuela Martel Tina Collins N/A

37 Pot Plant ≤5” 0 N/A N/A N/A

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No Division A Entries 1st 2 3rd

Tony Gower- 38 Pot Plant over 5” 4 Jenny Thomas Elizabeth Lister Jones

39 Fuchsia in bloom 1 Emma Shaw N/A N/A

Geranium Paul & Helen Tony Gower- 40 2 N/A or Pelargonium Baker Jones Tony Gower- 41 Begonia 2 Sylvia Leversha N/A Jones Paul & Helen 42 Fern or Foliar 2 N/A N/A Baker Cactus Paul & Helen Malcolm 43 5 Philippa Withers or Succulent Baker Hitchcock Tony Gower- 44 Roses, 3 sprays 8 Phil White Amanda Leathers Jones Tony Gower- 45 Bowl of Roses 5 Carol Leversha Lucinda Evans Jones

46 Rose, 1 specimen 9 Helen Howard Phil White Carol Leversha

47 Dahlias in vase 5 Monica Lamb Amanda Leathers Annette Blackwell

48 Dahlia, 1 specimen 5 Philippa Withers Donna Gray Monica Lamb

Paul & Helen 49 Lily, 1 stem 5 Donna Gray Philippa Withers Baker

50 Gladiolus, 1 spike 0 N/A N/A N/A

Garden Flowers, 51 6 Amanda Leathers Philippa Withers Jill Rowe vase, 1 of 4 Vase, mixed Paul & Helen 52 8 Amanda Leathers Dave Driscoll garden flowers Baker

Tony Gower- 53 Flowering shrubs 5 Amanda Leathers Tina Collins Jones

Sweet peas, Roger & Joan 54 6 Annette Blackwell Tina Collins 6 stems Jones

Sweet peas, vase Roger & Joan Paul & Helen 55 5 Manuela Martel or bowl Jones Baker

Total entries in Division 169

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No Division B Entries 1st 2nd 3rd

60 Country Basket 3 Pat Webb Helen Howard Pat Kinnersley

61 Culinary Capers 3 Sue Gibbons Ann Ings Pat Kinnersley

Here Comes 62 3 Pat Kinnersley Sue Gibbons Ann Ings Summer

63 Definitely Different 4 Sue Gibbons Pat Kinnersley Carol Leversha

Suspended in 64 4 Sue Gibbons Ann Ings Carol Leversha Time

Total entries in Division 17

No Division C Entries 1st 2nd 3rd

White wine, 80 1 Martin Grinham N/A N/A home made

Red wine, Tony Gower- 81 2 Martin Grinham N/A home made Jones

82 Jar of Jam 10 Lucinda Evans Sheila Thorns Sheila Thorns

83 Jar of Jelly 2 Sheila Thorns Sheila Thorns N/A

Jar of 84 4 Annette Blackwell Barbara Coombes N/A Marmalade

Jar of 85 2 Annette Blackwell Lucinda Evans N/A Chutney

Jar of 86 0 N/A N/A N/A Dark Honey

Jar of 87 0 N/A N/A N/A Light Honey

Jar off 88 0 N/A N/A N/A soft-set Honey

Kay Newby- Tony Gower- 89 6 Welsh Cakes 3 Elizabeth Lister Driscoll Jones

Tony Gower- 90 6 Flapjacks 8 Helen Howard Pat Webb Jones

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No Division C Entries 1st 2nd 3rd Kay Newby- Tony Gower- 91 6 Cup Cakes 5 Philippa Withers Driscoll Jones Annette 92 Wholemeal loaf 4 Gabor Balint Gabor Balint Blackwell

Kay Newby- 93 White loaf 5 Jill Rowe Philippa Withers Driscoll

Walnut & Coffee 94 6 Philippa Withers Carol Leversha Jenny Thomas Cake

Recipe, Kay Newby- 95 6 Jenny Thomas Barbara Coombes Family Fruit Cake Driscoll Malcolm 96 1 large Egg 1 N/A N/A Hitchcock 1 bantam Egg, 97 0 N/A N/A N/A external view 1 bantam Egg, 98 0 N/A N/A N/A content Nicole Le Jeune & 99 Painted Egg 7 Dave Driscoll Kay Newby- N/A Driscoll

Total entries in Division 66

No Division D Entries 1st 2nd 3rd

Age 5 & under

Picture of a 100 0 N/A N/A N/A Carriage Bake a Cake in a 101 0 N/A N/A N/A Mug Make a Sock 102 0 N/A N/A N/A Puppet Age 7 & under Picture of a 103 3 Flossie Molloy George Gillington Jake Howard Carriage Biscuit for Royal 104 2 George Gillington Jake Howard N/A Baby Dinosaur from 105 2 George Gillington Jake Howard N/A Vegetables Age 10 & under Picture of a Annabel Amelia 106 2 N/A Carriage Gillington Gillington

7 DW&CVHS August 2019

No Division D Entries 1st 2nd 3rd

Royal Garden in a 3 Luke Gower- Amelia Gillington Annabel 107 Seed Tray Jones Gillington

Construct a Model Annabel 108 5 Joshua Molloy Alex Kilduff Scarecrow Gillington

Age 14 & under

Picture of Carriage 109 3 Clare Kilduff Lily Blithe Amelia Gillington using collage

Luke Gower- 110 Bake a Loaf 3 Lily Blithe Clare Kilduff Jones Compose Poem 111 announcing birth of 1 Lily Blithe N/A N/A Queen Victoria Decorate Boiled 112 9 Clare Kilduff George Gillington Lily Blithe Egg

Total entries in Division 33

No Division E Entries 1st 2nd 3rd

Children’s 120 8 George Gillington Clare Kilduff Amelia Gillington Handicraft

121 Craft, functional 1 Manuela Martel N/A N/A

122 Art, non functional 5 Ann Ings Ann Ings Olive Masters

123 Needlecraft 3 Pat Webb Olive Masters Ann Ings

124 Knitting 7 Julie White Olive Masters Julie White

Photo (child ≤15) Luke Gower- Luke Gower- 125 2 N/A ‘Sunsets’ Jones Jones

Photo (adult) 126 ‘Local Hidden 16 Dave Driscoll Dudley Ings Barbara Cairns Gems’

Total entries in Division 42

Grand Total of Entries 327

8 DW&CVHS August 2019 Trophy Winners 2019

Name For Div’n Class Winner

President’s Trophy President’s Choice All All Jenny Thomas

RHS Banksian Most cash in A Philippa Withers Medal horticultural classes

Best Collection of Sandars Trophy A 1 Paul & Helen Baker vegetables

Novelty collection of Gray Cup A 2 Not Awarded vegetables

Lesley White Best vegetable exhibit A 3 to 25 Annette Blackwell Trophy

Dogmersfield Family collection of A 28 Annette Blackwell Cricket Club produce

Best Exhibit in Div D, 100- Lister Plate D Flossie Molloy classes 100-107 107

Crookham Village Most original and 106- D Claire KIlduff Stores Cup imaginative entry 112

Foster & Heanes Children's Best exhibit in division D All Flossie Molloy Challenge Cup

Manorial Children's Most points in children's D All George Gillington Trophy division

Gough Trophy Best pot plant A 37 to 42 Jenny Thomas

Hazel Croft Best cactus or succulent A 43 Paul & Helen Baker Tankard

Terry Minter Cup Best Spray of Roses A 44 Phil White

Napier Clavering Best bowl of Roses A 45 Carol Leversha Trophy

Gough Trophy Best single Rose A 46 Helen Howard

Foster & Heanes Best Dahlias A 47 Monica Lamb Trophy Debbie Frosdick Best Lily A 49 Donna Gray Memorial Plate

9 DW&CVHS August 2019

Name For Div’n Class Winner

Topp Cup Best gladiolus spike A 50 Not Awarded

Best sweet peas in Trevor Jones Cup A 54, 55 Roger & Joan Jones show

Kenyon Trophy Most points in division A All Paul & Helen Baker

Best Arrangement of Silver Jubilee Plate flowers & foliage in B 60 Pat Webb basket

Most Outstanding Kirwan-Taylor Cup B All Sue Gibbons Exhibit

Domestic Trophy Best exhibit in division C 89-95 Jenny Thomas

Daegmar Mohair Best item of children’s E 120 George Gillington Cup handicraft

Pilcot Farm Trophy Best item of handicraft E 121,122 Ann Ings

Eve Crawley Best Exhibit in Division E 123 Pat Webb Perpetual Bowl

Thirkettle Cup Best Exhibit in Division C 82-85 Annette Blackwell

Sylvia Hebdon Best Adult Photograph E 126 Dave Driscoll Trophy Vacant Committee Position Newsletter Editor needed for summer 2020 The committee would like the new incumbent to be in post before next year’s Show. Help will be available during the hand-over phase. Please contact the current editor if you would like more details.

Membership Secretary The committee are delighted to welcome John & Jen Potter who have offered to take on the role of Membership Secretary.

Reminder: Next Year’s Show & Fête Saturday 18th July 2020 10 DW&CVHS August 2019 Medal and Trophy Winners

Rule 9 states: Classes with three or less entries will normally be eligible for one prize only. Classes with four entries will normally be eligible for two prizes only. This will not apply to Division D, and Division E Classes 120 and 125.

Royal Horticultural Society Banksian Medal Awarded for the largest amount of cash won in the horticultural classes excluding special prizes. Winners in previous two shows are not eligible (Paul & Helen Baker 2017, Annette Blackwell 2018).

Winner Philippa Withers £13.50

2nd place Roger & Joan Jones £12.50

3rd place Malcolm Hitchcock £10

Kenyon Trophy Awarded for the greatest number of points won in Division A 1st = 5 points, 2nd = 3 points, 3rd = 2 points

Winner Paul & Helen Baker 64 Points

2nd place Philippa Withers 42 Points

3rd place Malcolm Hitchcock 32 Points

The Manorial Children’s Trophy Awarded for the greatest number of points won in Division D 1st = 5 points, 2nd = 3 points, 3rd = 2 points

Winner George Gillington 16 Points

2nd place Lily Blithe 13 Points

3rd place Claire Kilduff 12 Points

11 DW&CVHS August 2019 continued from page 2 entrants this year – there simply wouldn’t be a show without you. We joint second place for this category, are also indebted to our dedicated the egg judge commented that the judges and volunteers who make the standard was so high that it was smooth running of the Show day almost impossible to judge. possible. Particular thanks this year The Division D (children’s) go to Barbara Cairns, Viv Taylor and classes were also popular, with 14 Grace Maxwell for stepping in to individual children entering the 41 help on the day. Across all divisions and exhibits across 12 classes. The classes, judges were impressed with imagination of the children’s entries the quality of exhibits and men- are always a highlight of the Show, tioned how difficult it was to come with a life-size scarecrow particu- to decisions. Looking forward to larly outstanding this year! next year, our judges’ tip for 2020 In Division E (crafts), we is for entrants to take extra care were pleased to award for the first to ensure that all exhibits are ac- year the Sylvia Hebdon Cup for best cording to the requirements of the photograph in the adult class. A Show Schedule with regards to size, number etc. former member of the committee As we celebrate the suc- who passed away earlier last year, cess of the 2019 fête, we hope that Sylvia was a longstanding entrant of you enjoyed the impressive content the photography competition and it of the Show Tent and look forward is fitting to introduce this prize in to welcoming you to the 2020 fête her memory. next year! We would like to thank Barnabas & Nicole everyone who entered and supported Behind the Scenes

The committee would like to thank all those volunteers who worked so hard, from the Thursday until Sunday afternoon, setting out and then clearing up all the equipment needed to put on the Show & Fête. The Friday crew enjoyed a superb buffet lunch provided by Carol Leversha and the Sunday morning crew enjoyed bacon rolls provided by Julia & Simon Ambler. Much appreciated by all.

Sunday packing-away crew having a well-deserved refreshment break

12 DW&CVHS August 2019

Show Reports

The ‘T’ Team

Tea Tent Report to have such support from a great hotel chain for our humble fête. For the past 14 years, Julia and Also, sincere thanks to Alf, Simon Ambler and I have run the tea Phil and Ian White for allowing us to tent with help from volunteers. hold the fête on their farm. Every- Steadfast amongst these have been one remarks on what a beautiful the cake providers, without whom it setting it is for a Village fête. would not be the great success that The animal exhibitors it is. One dear lady, Trish, deserves always say how wonderful it is they a special mention as she rushed back have shelter beneath the trees for home one year to bake more when it their displays. seemed we were running short. How By way of background to is that for dedication? Thank you the actual day, we rely on a small Trish. band of volunteers to help with lay- Sandra makes a wonderful ing out the tables and chairs on the ‘Weigh the Cake’ each year – keeping site, putting up information notices, everyone guessing as one never ensuring the water makes it to the knows what is under the icing. tea tent and gazebos go up. Again, heartfelt thanks to every one Supplies are purchased over of you who always say “yes Carol - the week leading up to the day, re- one or two?” when I call. freshments served for helpers, and I am indebted this year to final last minute (ice) purchases Jennifer, Pat and Dennis who spent made on the morning of the fête. the morning helping me cut and pack As if all that is not enough, the cakes for sale. We were joined the majority of us then turn up for by Caitriona, Guy, Peter and Barbara the evening Barn Dance, with a great when we opened for business. band and caller, ensuring we all have Sincere thanks must also go a good time. Up the next morning to to the Four Seasons Hotel, who clear the site and pack everything again have sponsored us by paying away until next year. for the hire of the marquee and this Carol Leversha year they also supplied 3 huge cakes Craft Tent Report which quickly disappeared. It is good The Craft Tent was buzzing with 13 DW&CVHS August 2019 activity as visitors looked around at the exhibitors with such diverse expertise. There were nine differ- ent ‘Crafts’ to see. Firstly the Spinners & Weavers - they had a small loom

who has replaced our previous metal detector who has now retired. We saw coins which he had detected very locally. The History Group was the next group; they made a pres- ence with many photographs of the local area. We then had another new visitor, a lady demonstrating felting demonstrating their craft. They also techniques. She also displayed paper had a couple of people using spinning craft work using old books. Lastly wheels. The lace-makers were next, there was Fretsaw Fancies where demonstrating their very intricate children could paint cut-out shapes; craft. Next to them were three la- flowers and butterflies were the dies selling their home-made jewel- most popular. Some of the boys lery; they had a good display of painted cars or footballers. items for sale. Then we had a new- We are grateful to Dog- comer, a straw demonstrator; he mersfield, Winchfield, & Crookham brought lots of examples of straw Village Parish Councils who kindly work in many diverse patterns. Next, sponsored the Craft Tent this year. ‘Natural Threads’ with many samples It is a super to see so many rural of beautiful textile work. This year, crafts in one afternoon. June was selling kits she had creat- Barbara Cairns ed from a view at Highgrove. On the next table we had another newcomer, a metal detector,

14 DW&CVHS August 2019

Enthusiasts ’ Cars & Motorbikes What a fantastic turnout! This fea- ture of the fête has been growing in popularity year by year. Last year we had a record 36 cars attending and this year the total was 49 cars. The other noteworthy aspect was the superb variety of vehicles and their ages. This year we only had two commercial vehicles but they were certainly worth a look. Favourite Car Both were Bedfords, one being a lovely old bus and the other being a around 80 motorbikes, many of them delightfully restored pick-up. classics, had assembled at the Fox & Agricultural machinery was Hounds in Fleet for breakfast b also represented in style by a 1951 efore setting out on a 70-mile Ferguson Tractor that we just had charity ride in aid of the Phyllis to park next to the entrance gate. Tuckwell (PT) Hospice. We had originally reserved a space After stopping for lunch at in the back row adjacent to a the Departure Lounge near Alton, friend’s vehicle but, by the time the 40 of the bikes then headed for tractor arrived all the way from Dogmersfield where they formed-up Hartley Wintney, there were so to enter our Show in line astern to many other vehicles in the field that make a spectacular entrance to the there was insufficient space for the Show. tractor to manoeuvre into position. The motorbike club Every year we seem to get organisers had previously marked more vehicles that are very rare, or out their their parking area and at least rarely seen on today’s roads. thus they were able to drive in and A first this year in the ‘unusual’ park in neat rows for the public to category was a 1964 Renault peruse and admire their machines. Caravelle, a rear engine/rear drive When their charity collection open 2/4-seater using the floorpan was analysed it was found that the and engine of the Renault Dauphine. riders had amassed the amazing sum Another unusual car was a of over £1,200 for the PT Hospice. 1937 Jowett 10 HP manufactured in An amazing achievement whilst en- Bradford in the UK - very rare joying their hobby – well done guys indeed. and gals! Small cars were well- As ever, the public were represented by an Austin 7 and a encouraged to vote for their Lotus 7 whilst the largest was a 7- favourite car and motorbike during litre 1979 Cadillac ‘Coupe de Ville’ the afternoon. The worthy winner in that was over 18 feet long - in its the cars category was a delightful day labelled ‘America’s favourite Rolls Royce Silver Cloud 3, manufac- luxury car’. tured in 1964, and owned by Paul There was also a record Brazier. Paul is a local car enthusiast number of motorbike attendees, the and a regular attendee at our fête oldest being last year’s vote winner, and he stood by his car all afternoon a 1914 Douglas. A further 40 motor- answering the many questions that were asked by visitors. On the back bikes arrived in convoy after their morning charity ride. Earlier on, seat there was a newspaper printed

15 DW&CVHS August 2019

votes was a 1980 Yamaha XS400 combination, i.e. motorbike with sidecar attached. For those with long memories there was a time when such a mode of transport was an economical way of transporting a family. In this case, the owner, Zane Mumford, was doing just that. With Zane’s daughter in the sidecar and Mum following behind on her own motorbike, it was a real family Favourite Motorbike affair. At the subsequent prize- giving, Zane’s young daughter on the same day that the car was bravely stepped forward to collect built. Unusually for a car of this age, her family’s prize. the bodywork was totally original. Ed In the favourite motorbike category, the bike with the most AGM Report

AGM Report memories, we can look forward to The AGM was held in the WI hut, improved heating and toilet in Crookham Village, on Thursday facilities. It is hoped that the new 7th March, and was well-attended hut will be ready for use by the by members of the Society. time we re-start our talks Minutes of the AGM will be programme in the autumn. available for members to read at Please note that the a later date. Society urgently needs a new However, a couple of Membership Secretary (post now aspects are worth a mention here, filled - see page 10 for an update, one of them being that our Ed). Our hard-worked Chairman has President, Pat Silvester, has been doing sterling work in keeping kindly offered to present the the membership aspects running in Society with a ‘President’s the interim but it would be very Trophy’ which will be for the most much appreciated if a volunteer outstanding exhibit in the Show as judged by the President her- self. The second point is that the WI hut will be knocked down this summer and replaced by a new one, together with improved parking arrangements - good news to regular attendees at the venue. Brian reported that the existing hut has been on the site since the mid-sixties. Although the existing hut has many happy 16 DW&CVHS August 2019 would come forward to take on this half of the members, for all the rewarding role. hard work that they put in to run- In AOB, John Mullett ning the Society. proposed that our previous treasur- Following the formal part of er, Ann Macpherson, be given Life the AGM, there followed the tradi- Membership of the Society in tional draw from the list of current recognition of all the hard work she members, for two complementary has put in to the Society over many tickets to an RHS Flower Show. The years. There were many volunteers winner was Annette Blackwell who to second John’s proposal. Ann has will be visiting the Hampton Court now retired to Scotland and the Flower Show this year. committee were very pleased to A very tasty spread, kindly welcome Jill Rowe as our new provided by Brian & Carol, was en- treasurer during the latter part of joyed during the interval. 2018. David Jackson then showed his ex- Also under AOB, Brian Lev- cellent video, recorded in our Presi- ersha stated that members would be dent’s garden in the Spring of 2013. contacted by email to inform them Pat Silvester is well-known for her of a minor change in the wording of knowledge of Daffodils and her the Society’s GDPR Policy whereby garden has always been a delight to the Society can inform members of behold. Pat started planting over 35 other horticultural-related events in years ago in an area extending to our area. As previously, members two paddocks. During the video, Pat will be free to opt out of any such talked us through the enormous va- communications from the Society. riety of Daffodils and their relative From the floor, David Jack- son thanked the committee, on be- …………………...continued on page 18

Church Crookham Garden include pesticides and herbicides, Society (CCGS) lawn-care products, ant and slug The CCGS Sales Shed is situated in killers, plant pots and trays, grit and the Crookham Memorial Hall car vermiculite. park at the western end of Sandy Due to very limited shelf life, seeds Lane. Opening times are Saturday and bulbs are not stocked. Garden mornings from 10.00am to 11.30am tools are not stocked due to low between February and September. turnover. For further details see Please take your DW&CV Horticul- website: http://ccgsoc.org.uk. tural Society membership card along. The range of goods available is extensive, from composts and fertilizers to twine and canes. Most of the goods on offer are at prices that are considerably cheaper than garden centres and DIY shops. Other products that are available

17 DW&CVHS August 2019 merits; e.g. Tete-a-Tete that are very popular and grow in any condi- tions. If choosing one variety, Pat recommended February Silver. In addition, Birma is good for mid- season (end of March), and Chante- relle was also highly recommended. Following Pat’s video we were entertained by long-term mem- ber, and current committee member, Les Southall who showed us some interesting old photos of the local area with a historical perspective based on his family’s nursery busi- ness. In 1545 Les’ family started in agriculture/farming in Lyme Regis before moving to Walton-on-Thames in the 1800s. In 1880 the family were the largest fern supplier in restored the Gertrude Jekyll garden Western Europe. and he had to obtain the original A subsequent move to Fleet plans which were kept in America was to take advantage of the railway together with all Gertrude Jekyll’s and hence close links to the London other designs. Total cost was in the markets, particularly Covent Garden £millions! (for transporting their ferns). Les In parallel with this, Les’ described how, as a young man learn- wife Joyce built up a substantial ing the business, he was sent to business producing hundreds of work in Covent Garden to ‘learn the hanging baskets for a wide range of markets’, a very interesting experi- customers. ence. Circa 1961 the nursery in Fleet More recently, Les had the was established and one of their opportunity to sell some of his land contracts was to supply table deco- and we were shown aerial photo- rations for the original RMS Queen graphs of the recent housing devel- Mary & Queen Elizabeth ocean lin- opment – namely Knights Close in ers. The nursery remained in Fleet Crookham Village. for 25 years, at one time employing The final event was our tra- over 30 people, one of the largest ditional raffle and many thanks to employers in Fleet at that time. those members who donated prizes Les trained at Secretts in support of the Society. Nursery at Milford, near Godalming; Our chairman ended the his training was cut short when he meeting by thanking all those mem- was required to come home to take bers who had turned out to support over running the family business at the Society at the AGM, together the tender age of 18. with all those who had helped during In the latter stages of Les’ the evening. career he started a landscaping Ed business, his largest single project lasting 3 years. The project was in the grounds of an Edward Lutyens house with eleven bedrooms and extensive grounds. Here Les also 18 DW&CVHS August 2019 Reports on Winter Talks

Bulbs, Corms & Tubers Binstead is another local place to by Brian Deaville visit to see snowdrops. A lady in the th village told Brian that about six 14 February 2019 years ago she had bought and plant- Catering kindly provided by Monique ed some Winter Aconites. One year Bolton. later they had gone, but the hill Brian opened his talk by opposite her house was now covered explaining the difference between in them from the seed blown from bulbs, corms and tubers. He said her original plants. that people have been disqualified Farnham Rockery for its Anemone from Flower Shows which ask for ‘white Slendour’. ‘Flowers grown from Bulbs’ for Brian’s garden. He had planted showing flowers that did not grow some iris outside his kitchen window. from a bulb. He explained the He said they were really lovely, but difference: one morning when he looked they A Bulb is a lot of layers and were frozen. He was surprised when the centre is microscopic i.e. afternoon came and they were fine. daffodils, tulips and hyacinths. Further photos, with names A Corm has no layers. It is a of the flowers, were as follows: Iris solid round lump of starch i.e. a Reticulata, the leaves appear before gladioli, freesia and crocus. the flowers finish. He said he had A Tuber has thick under- planted some Crocus ‘Blue Pearl’, the ground stems. They have no basal squirrels ate them all! Narcissus plate and some look like fat fingers. aspruencis from Portugal. Daffodil – They also have little green ‘eyes’ Angel Tears. Anenoma blanda - Ane- over the surface i.e. dahlias and nomes are tubers. Double flowered anemones. Daylilies also grow from wood anenomes, some blue some tubers, but they are long and white. Star flower – One per stem. slender. Lesser celandine. Rhodohypoxis A Rhizome (they were not in (from South Africa). Several photos the talk title). These are growing of different orchids. Summer snow- root stocks with nodes i.e. bearded flake Leucojum (which flowers in iris, couch grass. spring). Brian then went on to show us When showing the following many super photographs as follows: photos, Brian gave us little anec- Frintry Gardens in Scotland sport- dotes or more information: Black ed a large flower display on lamp Lily. (he sprays every lily in spring post. and occasionally in Autumn). Tuliipa Warnford in the Meon Valley (The Silvestris - has a nodding head. Lili- Church of our Lady). Snow drops are um White Madonna (Grows in chalk). like a carpet – a must visit next Lilium Oratum (Squirrels hate it). year. Lillium Imperial Crimson (pollen can Brian said that snow drops be fatal to cats). Snowdrops and like sandy soil, but if left they will cyclamens – (good to grow at the fade. He recommended they be base of trees where nothing else will lifted, swilled in a bucket of water, grow). Chrysanthus ‘Cream Beauty’. and split into a bunch of five before (a crocus) - grow next to mauve or replanting. He named some differ- red, but not white flowers. Daffodils ent varieties. 19 DW&CVHS August 2019

(white) - add bone meal. Oxylis one hive including about 1000 drones Floribunda, normally grown in a pot bred for mating with the queen bee. and flowers a long time. Fritallarias The remaining population is of are attacked by the lily beetle. Lil- female worker bees. lium Marchgood is very good in The queen will lay some shrubs. Canna (cover in bracken over 2000 eggs per day at the height of winter). Cyclamen Africaan (not the season May-June. Hive worker hardy). bees feed her and guide her to In all, Brian showed us in excess of prepared empty cells. 100 beautiful photographs. It takes 3 days for an egg Barbara Cairns to hatch into a larva. Workers feed the larva with royal jelly for 3 days, then a mix of honey and pollen. By day 5 the larva is 1500 times its Bees at the bottom of my original size. garden At this point the cell is by Margaret Lennard sealed by the workers and the larva 11th April 2019 cocoons itself and the transfor- Catering kindly provided by Carol mation to an adult bee takes place. Leversha. The bee claws its way from Mrs Lennard started by the cell to join the hive. The whole describing, with illustrations, the process from egg to bee takes 24 structure of a honey beehive and days for a drone and 21 days for a combs. She then summarised the worker. The worker bee lives for 6 life cycle of queen, drone and work- weeks: 3 weeks as a hive bee then 3 er bees. weeks foraging. The drone dies Over 60,000 bees will live in after mating with the queen.

Photo: Surrey Life 20 DW&CVHS August 2019

A bee larva hatched in a important in early Spring, also Pussy special cell and fed exclusively on Willow and Hazel Catkin, and later, royal jelly (a protein-rich secretion wild flowers especially Bramble. Ivy from gland on the head of young flower is very important for the bee workers) will develop into a queen for winter store. A bee can travel up bee. to 3 miles for pollen. A queen can live up to 5 Varroa mite was discussed. years and there is normally only one This is now endemic in the UK. It mated queen in a hive who is the can be treated at specific times of mother of most (if not all) bees in the year when mite-infestation is the hive. If conditions are right, an identified above a certain level, but old queen may leave with the prime results in the loss of that batch of swarm before a new virgin queen honey. Asian hornets also represent emerges. a huge threat should they arrive in Swarming is a noisy process numbers and breed here. which leads to a cluster, usually on a Mrs Lennard had several tree branch. The speaker showed jars of honey to show us: Ivy, photos of swarm collection using a Sycamore, mixed flower etc. bucket. A swarm weighs several kilo- Interestingly rape flower honey is grams. no use - it sets solid. As far as we are concerned, She emphasised that no one the main function of the bee is plant should consider bee-keeping without pollination; honey is a by-product. In attending a course. She did not, but our diet, more than one mouthful in knows an expert! three is dependent on insect pollina- Jill Rowe tion. The following are some of the best flowering plants for bees over the Spring to Autumn seasons. Crocus and Snowdrop are very RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

Hampton Court Visit The walk through the per- 2nd July 2019 manent garden would have been spe- What a nice surprise to find out cial enough. The magnificent archi- earlier this year that I had won two tecture, the walled kitchen garden tickets to Hampton Court Flower and the stunning formal walled gar- Show at the Horticultural Society’s dens testified to the dedication and AGM. imagination of an army of skilled We elected to go on the gardeners and volunteers. members’ day, the Tuesday, expect- Once in the Show itself, we ing that it might be a little quieter. were tempted by stall after stall of In fact, it took an hour to drive the innovative gadgets and plant collec- last mile to the Show and, once tions from a huge number of nurse- there, we thought the whole of the ries around the country. Thank good- south of England had joined us! That ness for the plant creche, although did not detract from a truly enjoya- most people seemed to have one of ble day though. those crates on wheels that run over

21 DW&CVHS August 2019

proved. The Floral Marquee was as wonderful as expected. So many well- deserved gold medals had been awarded to the stunning displays of lilies, sweet peas, streptocarpus and dahlias, to name just a few. Again, it was very tempting to fill yet more bags with new and old plants. The experts were very willing to give ad- vice and I now know why my Dark Angel hydrangea is so unhappy in my garden. It is in far too sunny a posi- tion. I learned that hostas really like ammonia too so I expect them all to be huge next year. The Rose of the Year was on display, Sweet Honey Kormecaso, a creamy apricot flori- bundas which, we were told, had a marvellous scent. We thought it beautiful but we didn’t think it had Photos: Annette Blackwell any fragrance at all! We made our way back to the toes of everyone else and gener- the car park laden with good things ally get in the way. Whoever invent- and very appreciative of a great day ed them must be living in a palace in out courtesy of the Horticultural the South of France by now. Society. The Show Gardens reflect- Annette Blackwell ed the current trend for naturalistic planting and we were amazed at the well-established wildflower patches throughout most of the exhibition gardens. Were they sown in-situ earlier on in the year or transport- ed, goodness knows how, in turf sec- tions and then put into place? There was a great emphasis on re-using pots and recycled household objects. David Attenborough would have ap-

22 DW&CVHS August 2019 Reports on Garden Visits

West Green House Gardens Thursday 30th May 2019 At 12 noon we met at The Cricket- ers Pub in Hartley Wintney. We were all seated at one long table by the bar area - it was a very convivial. The catering was very efficient and the waiters very pleasant. Everyone enjoyed their lunch. We proceeded to West Green House, which is a National Trust Property. For those of us who are members, entrance was free. The gardens are a feast for the eyes. After coming through the entrance (which is also the shop – very tempting) we walked down an avenue where there are many ‘cloud’ bushes and splashes of bright orange and red flowers. It was Photos: Barbara Cairns striking. We then walked through beds of ferns and other assorted the wooded ‘White Walk’; nearly all green-leafed plants. the plants were white and growing in There were lots of white Foxgloves in flower towering above everything else. White Wisterias were grown along heavy rope garlands. White Wisteria grew over the trellis work on the bridge and arch across a dry river-bed. It was most tranquil. There was also a large bed of blue Iris flowers. When we reached the lake, there was a swan being followed by two Canada Geese; they were all protecting a small fluffy duckling or it may have been a ‘Swoose’. They have bred a ‘Swoose’ for the last few years. The previous ones I have seen resemble a Canada Goose but has a stronger neck like a swan. It is most unusual occurrence in nature. The tranquility of the area was only disrupted by the swan 23 DW&CVHS August 2019

Swoose

hissing and flapping at us because opening which ran up to a statue ‘baby’ came too near us. It is which is a focal feature. amazing how fast an ‘older lady’ can Needless to say we ended run when being chased by a swan! up at the tea room which is housed in ‘Chicken’ I think describes my a picturesque old stable block. There departure from that area. is a courtyard outside which is next A small group of very smart to the topiary garden. chickens have a very superior run. We then exited past the The back wall in their enclosure has plant sales and back through the a backdrop of the Willow Pattern. shop. All-in-all a very pleasant after- Their feeding troughs are very noon. upmarket; they are large Willow Barbara Cairns Pattern soup tureens. There is a walled garden which is the vegetable and fruit garden. Everything is beautifully laid out. It is another very calming area and a delightful area to be in. We meandered along paths through a wooded area. We took photos at the water ditch (drill) which runs in a channel made in smart brick-work. We stood at the bottom and looked through a large brick circular

24 DW&CVHS August 2019

Weirs Barn Garden 11th June 2019 18 members gathered at the Phoenix Pub in Phoenix Green for a pre-visit convivial lunch. After lunch, and with the landlord’s permission, we left our cars in the pub’s car park and Photos: Donna Gray literally walked across the road to Weirs Barn. We were met on arrival by generally open to the public and we our very friendly host, Terry Lyons. were very privileged to be able to Terry gave us a short introductory visit. There was a small charge per talk before leaving us to explore his person and all monies raised will be wonderful garden at our leisure. The donated to St Michael’s Hospice. house itself was ‘not on the agenda’. Weirs Barn was an early Weirs Barn Gardens are not ‘barn conversion’, the original barn having been built in the 16th century. In the 19th century, Robert Weir Shultz moved to the area from London and bought 60 acres in the locality. He then lived locally whilst the barn was being converted for his own occupation. Schultz was an ‘Arts & Crafts’ architect, artist, landscape designer and furniture designer who

Benefits of becoming a member of the Society Your committee thought it would be a good idea to list the benefits of becoming a member of the Horticultural Society, not only as a reminder to current members but also as a useful guide when advertising for new members. As in all clubs and societies, there is a continual need to recruit new members to replace those who leave for a variety of reasons. If you know of anyone who might be interested in joining the Society, please help the committee by pointing out the benefits as listed below. • Winter talks with wine and food • Summer garden visits in the locality • 30% discounted entry to RHS Gardens and free advice • Discounted garden supplies from local club • Twice-yearly newsletter with Flower Show results in summer edition • Comprehensive annual Show Schedule • Free entry to our annual Flower Show & Fête • Opportunity to meet like-minded people

25 DW&CVHS August 2019

also worked on several projects with Gertrude Jekyll. Shultz died in 1951. goal had been to re-instate the Our hosts bought the garden as close to the original as property in 1986 and had to wait a possible. To do this, they first had further 25 years before Shultz’s to take down over 200 trees and descendants finally allowed them to then gradually return parts of the purchase the main part of the garden, such as the orchard and garden. shrubbery, to their original states. By this time, with the When originally conceived, garden having been left to deterio- the garden had been transformed rate for many years, it was in a from fields into a series of ‘garden terrible state with impenetrable rooms’ by planting topiary hedges areas and huge growth of Ground and a belt of trees. Other sections Elder roots and brambles. of the garden include the sunken Terry informed us that his garden, croquet lawn, Mulberry tree, and much topiary. The garden had also been designed to give all-year-round appeal with roses, cistus and many perennial geraniums interspersed with clumps of purple-leaved shrubs. There are also lots of climbers, clematis, golden hops, and jasmine. During our visit the bees were very busy!

RHS affiliation and discounted entry to RHS Gardens All bona fide gardening clubs and horticultural societies with an annual membership subscription are eligible for affiliation to the RHS. Such clubs and societies should have a remit to promote horticulture at a local level, should hold regular meetings and/or hold an annual show. The DW&CVHS meets all these criteria and is affiliated to the RHS. One of the benefits of affiliation is the opportunity to purchase Garden Reduced Price Entry (GRPE) cards. GRPE cards can be used an unlimited number of times during the year and grant up to two people a 30% discount on the normal adult entry rate at any of the four RHS Gardens (except Wisley on Sundays). Members of the DW&CVHS might like to know that the Society holds two GRPE cards for use by our members. The cards are held by our Chairman, Brian Leversha, and can be borrowed after payment of a £10 deposit.

Please contact Brian as follows: tel: 01252 -615534 e-mail: [email protected]

26 DW&CVHS August 2019

The lawns are edged with alchemilla mollis and the wooded ar- ea is full of foxgloves. There was a very workmanlike nursery bed and a well-established composting area. We were even able to buy plants at very reasonable prices. Terry informed us that he spends a lot of his time tending to the topiary, some of which is ex- Jane made themselves available to tremely old and includes several answer our many questions. We were peacocks, some double-headed….! very impressed with the state of During our circumnavigation the gardens after their many years of the gardens, Terry and his wife of careful restoration. After our tour we retired to a covered area for tea and cakes. Many thanks to Barbara and Angus for arranging an excellent visit and, in particular, to Barbara for producing some excellent cakes to go with our afternoon tea. Ed

Please note that, having run out of space in this issue, we will publish our remaining Garden Visit reports in the February 2020 issue, Ed.

Reminder: subscriptions will be due 1st January 2020 Current Subscription rates (since January 2010) Family Membership - £7 per annum Senior Citizen Family Membership (65 years of age or over) - £5 per annum

Payment preferred by: Cheque/Standing Order or Electronic Bank Transfer (if currently paying by S.O. please ensure that your Bank pays the correct amount).

For further details please contact the (temporary) Membership Secretary:- Brian Leversha: tel:01252-615534 e-mail: [email protected]. Note: please send SSAE if you require m/ship card posting.

General Data Protection Act 2018 Please note that, as a result of the General Data Protection Act 2018, we have created a Privacy Policy for the Society and a copy can be found on the Society’s website: http://www.dwcvhortsoc.org. Members and prospective new members are encouraged to read the policy and to contact the Society if they have any concerns about how the Society will manage their personal data. If you do not have access to the internet, and wish to read the policy, please contact our Chairman who will be able to provide a hard-copy.

27 DW&CVHS August 2019 Forthcoming Events 2019/2020

Members may be aware that the old wooden WI Hall in Crookham Village is in the process of being replaced due to its advanced age. The new building will be brick-built and will have improved facilities and a few more parking spaces. At the time of writing, good progress is being made on the reconstruction and we are hopeful that the new hall will be ready for use by the time of our next meeting in September. The Society have booked an alternative venue to be used in the event that the new hall is not ready on time. In the event that we have to temporarily change the venue, we will inform members by email and the Events page of the Society’s website will be updated accordingly.

Evening talks take place in the WI Hall in Crookham Village, rear of Crookham Street Social Club, starting at 7.30pm (please park on gravel area by WI Hall, not on the Social Club’s tarmac area). These social evenings are very popular, helped along with a glass of wine (or soft drink) & food (£2/member or £3/guest). The Society also arranges garden visits, usually in the local area, and these are also listed below. Please note that members will be notified via group e-mail, and updates to the Events page of the Society’s website, when further talks or visits have been arranged. Changes to the programme will also be communicated to members in a similar manner.

2019 Wed 21st Aug Visit to Painshill Park, Cobham, KT11 1JE. Thurs 12th Sept Talk on Pelargoniums by Roger Butler. Thurs 10th Oct Talk on Literary & Artistic Footprints in the Thames Valley by Nicholas Brazil. Thurs 14th Nov Talk on Growing Apples & Pears in the Orchard by Gerry Edwards. Thurs 12th Dec Christmas Quiz by Angus Cairns. 2020 Thurs 9th Jan Talk on All Year Round Colour by Geoff Hawkins. Thurs 13th Feb Talk on Stanley Holloway by Jonathon Jones (Farnham Town Crier). Thurs 12th Mar DW&CVHS AGM

Saturday 18th July DW&CVHS Flower Show & Fête

28 Photos: David Jackson & John Mullett DW&CVHS August 2018 Next Year’s Show & Fête - Saturday 18th July 2020

the newsletter of the DW&CVHS