 HUNSDON GARDENING CLUB(Established 1958) Who we are and what we do…………. Hunsdon Gardening Club welcomes anyone interested in gardening, whether beginner or experienced gardener with the aim of sharing such experience between members. The club started life as the Village Allotments and Gardens Association on May 21st, 1958. In 1961 the name was changed to Hunsdon Gardening Club and in 1966 the control of the allotments was handed over to the Parish Council. Since 1969 we have been affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society and our autumn show is run according to RHS rules using one of their approved judges. This affiliation provides free entry to an RHS garden once a year for a club outing, free advice on gardening problems and plant identification and the Banksian medal for the Autumn Show, awarded to the exhibitor with the highest marks in the horticultural classes. The club is administered by a committee of nine members under the direction of the chair person who arrange outings, the annual plant sale and autumn sh So what do members get for their money? The club publishes a booklet each year which is circulated to every house in the village outlining the programme together with full details of the schedule for the autumn show. The Annual General Meeting is held in April, the formal business being followed by a social event or a topical gardening talk by a guest speaker The club organises at least one outing during the summer, in 2010 it was a return visit to Prince Charles home at Highgrove. Our annual plant sale is held in conjunction with the village fete normally in June where we have our large stall selling plants donated by members. We endeavour to maintain a high standard of quality plants at realistic prices! Thanks to those who gave plants and the members manning the stall we raised £322 towards Village Hall funds The picture shows the plant stall at the fete and gives some idea of the wide range of plants that members contribute for sale. The Club holds its Autumn Show in early September in the village hall. In 2010 63 people submitted 246 entries, which in spite of a challenging growing season was well up on the previous year and the show was a great success To see prize winners go to Pictures and list of prize-winners from the 2010 Autumn ShowThe year is normally concluded by a guest speaker and social evening held in the village hall during October . We continue to hold a spring and summer front garden competition as well as that for the best allotment. The club has supported the fund raising to replace the old prefab structures at the rear of the village hall by a new brick built complex by producing and selling a 2010 calendar and a series of notelets featuring botanical prints from paintings by the late Sue Staniforth, our secretary for many years. A further benefit of club membership is the arrangement we have for special discounts from Parkers Dutch Bulbs and Thompson & Morgan Seeds. Members can order bulbs, shrubs, roses and perennials from Parkers Dutch Bulbs and seeds from Thompson & Morgan. From Parkers, purchases are at wholesale prices whilst from T&M a 50% discount on the normal catalogue price of seeds is available. There is no minimum order for these concessions so members can order as little or as much as they like. So that’s who we are and what we do so why not come and join the club. If you are just starting in the gardening world this is the place to learn. Everything we do is on an informal basis with a free exchange of gardening advice between members. If you fancy joining contact any of the committee and they will be only too pleased make arrangements for you to become a member. Committee Members 2010/11 are: -
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ow. All this has been provided with the annual subscription of £2.