Programme of Events 2012/2013

Report on the 2012 Spring Flower Show 17th March

With a less than prefect preparation weather-wise for the Mid-March Spring Flower Show, Yapton Cottage gardeners Society had a modestly successful event staged in the Village Hall.

Certainly the numbers of daffodils and other garden flowers were fewer that usual, but potted plants including cacti and other succulents and an interesting and colourful vegetables were also staged to present an attractive display.

Once again the flower the flower arrangers excelled themselves with some remarkable creations, and the cookery classes had generally good support, and as always, the best of the photographic images were fine.

The most competitive and much admired part of the show was the Children's Section, which raised the entry figure to a respectable 215.

The 41 exhibitors included some first-time participants, and two of the judges were making their initial visit to the Yapton flower show.

One or two members were recruited for the Cottage Gardeners' during the day.

With the public opening of the flower show in the afternoon, the 100 visitors were able to purchase from the side stalls of cards. Jewellery, plants, home baking and presents, bric-a-brac and raffle, or perhaps have a cup of tea with cake after the viewing of the competitive display.

The Cottage Gardeners' Chairman, Roy Phillips made the trophy presentations at the close of the event. Show Secretary, David Donovan., received the Harry March Cup for most points in the Horticultural classes, with first-time exhibitor Lesley Vigar taking the Pratt Trophy, in a close competition, for her points total in the the children’s classes.

The next flower show in Yapton will be on July 7th.

First prize winners: Christine Fry, Terry Booker, David Donovan, Debbie Lawrence, Eva Pendreich, Mike Millis, Diane Booker, Anne Hollis, Malcolm Paradine, David Cole, Katharine Horwood, Roy Phillips, Joan Jackson, Mary Carmel Pardi, Vick Millis, Imogen Holden, Tegan Vigar, David Cole, Imogen Holden, Hannah Graffham, Rhea Ryder, Eleonore Grimwood, Tia Harrison and Rhea Ryder .

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Yapton & District Cottage Gardeners Society:
January 2012 Newsletter

1 Elm Cottages, Church Road, Yapton, ARUNDEL, West Sussex, BN18 0EW

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Dear member.

Another year dawns with lots of fresh ideas and hope for the future and on behalf of the Committee I should like to wish you all a very Happy New Year.

It was pleasing to see a few more Members at the Annual General Meeting held Wednesday 7th December unlike last year when it snowed. The AGM passed off without any real issues being raised and the existing Committee were all re-elected. Following on from the main business of the evening those attending enjoyed a talk by our Show Secretary, David Donovan on local wild flowers, finishing up with tea and coffee.

The next event will be our annual Primrose Sale on Saturday 4th February, in the Club Room of Yapton and Ford Village Hall, from 10a.m. until 12 noon. As well as purchasing some colourful primroses, ideal to fill a gap or plant out a pot you may have missed back in the autumn there will be other winter plants, herbs and hopefully some early vegetable plants. Even if you do not require any plants at the moment just come along and have a cup of tea and a chat, at the same time buying some of the cakes we hope to have for sale. If you can bring along a friend that will be much better they may even join. Carol will also be on hand to take your membership renewal, still only £5 and a form is attached to this newsletter to help.

On Wednesday 22"d February in the Club Room of Yapton and Ford Village Hall, at 7.30 p.m. we welcome Barry Newman, Chairman of the National Vegetable Society who will give a talk on vegetables. Barry replaced Medwyn Williams as Chairman of the National Vegetable Society earlier last year. As well as giving lots of helpful information on growing vegetables for the kitchen Barry is a very successful exhibitor and judge although Alan tells me Barry cannot grow Dahlias quite as well as he does veg. If you have ever thought of entering the vegetable classes at our shows come along and find out how to win prizes. As always there will be a raffle and tea and coffee. Entry is free to Members but £2 to Non­Members.

Friday 9th March is our Annual Barn Dance, tickets and further details can be obtained from Roy Phillips on 01243 552 822. Refreshments including a ploughman's and a bar will also be available. We also hope to have tickets available at the Primrose Sale in February.

The recent high winds have certainly taken their toll on fences and sheds, in the last newsletter I did say check your wooden structures. A lot of trees also suffered damage with many branches broken

Any leaves remaining before the storms have now all fallen so these also need sweeping up and putting on the compost heap. What's that I hear you say, you do not have a compost heap, shame on you. This is something every garden should have no matter how small or large your garden. There are many self assembly kits on the market as well as the plastic barrels which are advertised everywhere, by composting your own waste you will save petrol by not having to go to the local civic amenity tip and in the end you will have lots of lovely compost to use as a soil improver or mulch around the garden saving more money, now that cannot be bad can it.

Winter is the time to prune fruit trees, apples and pears but not plums as they will be susceptible to silver leaf disease so leave them until they start to grow in the spring. Fruit tree pruning is not a complicated job the main purpose is to remove any dead or damage growth and then bring the tree down to a manageable size, though on older trees hard winter pruning can produce some very vigorous growth and these may need extra pruning in the summer. If you have one of these and it is starting to take the garden over it may be better to remove it completely and purchase a new one that is grafted on to a more dwarfing root stock, your local fruit tree specialist will be able to advise on this if you tell him the location in which you wish to plant it. Fruit trees grown in restricted forms such as apples and pears grown as cordon and espaliers should be pruned in the summer, normally August and September. Do not carry out any pruning if frosts are forecast.



The lawns will now have had their last cut before the spring which is only a few weeks away so get your mower and other equipment off to the garden machinery experts for the winter service and any repairs needed. If you book early some of these centres offer a discount for early bookings and work carried out this month, they may also offer free collection and delivery so ask, as Mr. Tesco says every little helps.

This is the time of the year when we spend a lot of time and money in the greenhouse which should now be nice and clean ready for the coming season. If you have heat available now is the time to get a head start, some seeds that can be sown now include Begonia semperflorens, Coleus, Pelargoniums and Impatiens. On the vegetable side Broad Beans summer Cabbage and Cauliflower, Lettuce, Onions (which should have been sown last month) and Peppers. You may have trouble finding Impatien seeds in some catalogues because over the last couple of years Downy Mildew has become a very serious problem and some seed companies have dropped them from their lists.

Our friends over the river in Littlehampton have arranged a coach trip to Hever Castle near Edenbridge, Kent on Sunday 15th April. The fare of £26 includes all admission fees and tips as well as a ride on the Spa Valley Railway at Royal Tunbridge Wells. Should any Member wish to join this trip please contact Tony Squires on 01903 714271 to book or for further information. Alternatively contact Carol or Alan on 01903 725009.

Best Wishes

Chairman

Full report on the 2011 Autumn Show

On a brilliantly sunny and warm October day the Autumn Flower Show in Yapton Village hall was a fine example of what local growers can achieve in friendly competition.

The forty seven exhibitors, which included nine first time participants arrived from an area bounded by Billinghurst, Bognor Regis and Goring-by-sea, with the 278 entries almost matching last year's splendid total.

The fine weather of the previous several weeks enhanced the quality of the cut flowers staged for this show, in particular the dahlias and Chrysanthemums were examples of how well these specialist flowers can be grown for competition.

There were classes for general cut flowers and assorted pot plants, vegetables, both standard and giant-sized and a good and interesting entry for the fruit classes.

Once more, the flower arranging section was a visual delight and, as ever the photographic images evoked much comment. Cookery, adult handicraft and children's classes, all well supported, completed the schedule prepared by the Cottage Gardener's Society.

The public opening of the event welcomed around 160 visitors during the afternoon. Much of interest was found in the display, and many people must have agreed with the judges expressions of general excellence.

The various side stalls offered plant sales, preserves, bread and cakes the obligatory raffles , cards and jewellery, with the kitchen preparing light refreshments throughout the afternoon. At the close of the day's activities came the presentation of trophies, both for the results on the day and for the culmination of competition over the year's four shows from spring to Autumn. It fell to Roy Phillips, as chairman of Yapton Cottage gardeners to present the awards.

As the most successful competitor on the day Alan Humphrey took the Edith Godfrey trophy, a significant proportion being dahlias, a vase of which gave him the Bronze Medal of the National dahlia Society, the Silver medal going to Mick Minton, who brought some five onions for the Deegan Shield and judged the best vegetable exhibit.

Malcolm Paradine retained the Village Criers Trophy as the most successful season long horticultural exhibitor.

For her fuchsia exhibits staged over two shows, Anne Hollis was awarded the Joan Waddington Memorial vase. Another committee member, Eva Pendreich who retained the cup for the Photographic Championship, also won the Neil baxter memorial Trophy for her results in cookery and handicraft over the year.

The season's greatest points total for flower arranging was accrued by David Cole for the W.R.Trophy, with 6 year old Imogen Holden winning both children's trophies, that for the day being the Junior Autumn Cup, and for the year the Junior Village Criers Cup. The next season of competition begins on march 17th with the Spring Flower Show.

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Full report on the 2011 Annual Show

'A Typical Yapton Show' was the immediate response to an early morning deluge which left the marquee on the recreation ground temporarily flooded. However the annual Flower Show had to go on, and ultimately the cottages gardeners' society recorded a successful day.

Some 65 exhibitors, of which 10 were newcomers, sumitted 551 entries, the average for this event.

The quality of the cut flowers, vegetables and pot plants was generally excellent, and the number of entries of fruit was an increase on last year. The flower arrangements were again quite superb, and the allocation of prizes in the cookery resulted in close competition, The small number of entries in the wines and beers was the only disappointment, but compensation came in another excellent staging of photographic images. It was a particularly good year for handicrafts with several fine paintings and items of clothing. The children7#146;s section introduced several competitors new to showing.

With over 300 visitors to the marquee, it was a reward for the efforts of all involved, and the display was worth 30 minutes of anybody's time. Certainly, several of the judges were able to comment positively on what they saw, touch and tasted.

The Yapton Cottage Gardener's president, broadcaster and gardener, Sue Phillips, was on site throughout the afternoon and remained to present the trophies to the worthy winners.

Malcolm Paradine was among the winners, staging the best collection of vegetables for the V.H.Snell trophy and providing the best vegetable exhibit, (onions) in the members' classes, taking the Warmere Cup, Christine Fry had a good day, bringing the best cut flower exhibit(gladiolus) in the members section for the Stevenson Cup. Gained most points fo the George Harrison Cup, and again staged the best cut flower vase(gladiolus) in the open classes to take the Woodard Trophy. It was Val O'Neill who submitted the winning runner beans for the Charles Millyard Trophy.

In the open horticultural classes, Mick Minton supplied the best vegetable exhibit (a collection) for the Binns Cup and was awarded the banksian medal for the greatest monetary accumulation in all horticultural sections.

The Society's Chairman, Roy Phillips, took the Ivor Smith Fruit Bowl for the greatest aggregate points total in all fruit classes, and the Secretary, Anne Hollis, staged the best pot plant ( a fuchsia) for the Tony Butcher Trophy. The 3-exhibit Leslie Crowther Trophy was presented to committee member Debbie Lawrence.

The last of horticultural awards were the National Dahlia Society Silver Medal for the best exhibit of this specialist flower, which was prsented to Eric Norrell, and the Bronze Medal for runner-up went to Mick Minton. Othe awards were available, and Joan Jackson retained the Pannell Trophy for flower arranging dispite strong opposition, while Judy Barratt took both the Phillips Trophy with her 2 bottles in the wine and beer classes, and the Stagg Cup for the best exhibit in handicraft, a particularly well-made garment. Katharine Horwood retained the Collier Cup for cooking by the least of margins, from not one but two competitors.

The children's section had sound support from the yourer exhibitors, with 9-year old Eleonore Grimwood taking the Margaret Trophy for Handicrafts and the Belmont Cup for most points. The Winner of the Frost Senior Cup for a garden in a seed tray was Susannah Olliff, aged 11; The equivalent class for younger children, the Frost Junior Cup, was taken by 4-year old Maisy Neville. Lastly, the 'Teens' Trophy went to 13-year old Matthew Olliff, who put in two entries.

Away from the marquee, there was much else to interest visitors to the recreation ground. Two smaller marquees had various stall representing several organisations, while the Double L-L Club members brought 12 classic cars and vans, and Reg's tractors had 4 agricultural tractors and a scale model steam traction engine. First time visitors Vintage Motorcycles Club (Goodwood section) had 7 machines on display.

The Yapton and Ford Village hall was busy with a model railway layout, model farm animals, The Yapton Local History Group and cards and jewellery. The kitchen dispensed cream teas and cakes throughout the afternoon.

The Final flower show of the year will be held in the village hall on Saturday, October 1st.

First Prize Winners:

Christine Fry, Malcolm Paradine. Alan Humphrey, Graham Coomber, Jeff Haine, Val 'Neill, Mick Minton, Judith Stemp, Terry Brooker, Roy Phillips, David Donovan, Jane Pay. Anne Hollis, Kent Kressner, Mary Carmel Pardi, David Cole, Joan Jackson, Kathrine Horwood, Judy Barratt, Eve Pendreich, louise Clue, Debbie Lawrence, Eileen Johnson-thorne, Mrs a Newman, Mick Marshall, Joan Bradley, Stan Crouch, Joy Newman-Rice, Eric Norrell, David day, Joyce Marshall, Dean Millis, Alan Thew, Jacqui Gulliver, Matthew olliff, Susannah Olliff, Eleonore Grimwood, maisy Neville, Amelia Neville, Helena Whitelock, Kacie Groves.

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Yapton & District Cottage Gardeners Society:
October 2011 Newsletter

1 Elm Cottages, Church Road, Yapton, ARUNDEL, West Sussex, BN18 0EW

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Dear member.

With our Autumn Show only a couple of weeks away on Saturday 1St of October it's time to see what we can exhibit. The recent wet and windy weather is making it very difficult for the flower growers at the moment, the Dahlias and Chrysanthemums will certainly need some more settled conditions but there is still time. The fruit this year is looking very good and this may be where we can gain some extra entries, so have a look around your garden and see what you may be able to enter. Just three apples or pears perhaps or just one specimen is all it takes and I know some of you grow grapes and other exotic types of fruit. In the vegetables there are tomatoes, onions, potatoes and beetroot these are not affected by the weather, we even have a class for the ugliest root vegetable and we have all had these at some time or other when looking for the three best carrots. If your apples are not good enough to put in the show how about turning them into an apple cake for class 59 in the domestic classes, along with a treacle tart or how about four mince pies, Christmas is not far away. Looking back to the summer, have a look at the photographs you have taken, class 71 `High Summer' and 73 `All at Sea' spring to mind. Last but by no means least there are the children's classes. For further details or to enter contact Roy on 01243 552822 or David on 01903 726006.

The plant sale arranged for Saturday 17 1h September has had to be cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control. However, all is not lost as we hope to have some plants for sale at the Autumn Show.

Looking further ahead to November and the fact we can no longer ask The Yetties to entertain us The Society has joined Forces with the Village Hall Committee. What do Waterloo, and Mamma Mia, have in common? Yes they were just a couple of songs performed by ABBA Inferno. On Friday 18th November 2011 the Village Hall will rock or if you prefer toe-tapping to 'Abba Inferno' an Abba tribute band. Abba Inferno is a relatively local band, who perform all over the country and I understand they are well worth seeing. Tickets are £10.00 per person and are at present available from me but it is hoped tickets will also be available from joint Committee members. No need to worry about bringing your tipple as there will be a Licensed Bar selling lagers, beers, wines and soft drinks.

Over in Littlehampton, our friends at LALGA have arranged an outing on Saturday 17 1h December 2011 to Winchester Christmas Market. The fare for this trip is £15 and £7.50 for Children, the normal pick up points apply but should anybody from Yapton wish to go a local pick up could be arranged. For full details and a booking form contact Tony Squires on 01903 714 271. Remember you don't need to go to the Christmas Market you can use the opportunity to explore this historic City. Although it may seem a long way off to 17 1h December it is not, so please contact Tony as soon as possible. Best wishes,

Best Wishes

Chairman

Early Summer Flower Show.

Yapton Cottage Gardeners Early Summer Flower Show could have been a failure, given the windy conditions of past weeks and rain in the days before the event. However in the best tradition of overcoming adversity, the show went on to be a considerable success.

Some 49 exhibitors, of whom 2 were staging for the first time in Yapton, submitted a total of 266 entries certainly above expectations.

There was evident weather damage on the roses and the number of sweet peas vases was fewer than usual, nonetheless, the classes for general garden flowers had some fine exhibits. Among the pot plants, the cactus classes were of particular merit with some superb specimens on display. The range of soft fruits and vegetables concluded the horticultural sections of the show.

A feature of recent years, the high quality of the flower arrangements was maintained at this event and cooking too was well supported, with the prizes well distributed among the competitors.

The photographic section was not only competitive in the number of images displayed, but the quality earned the praise of the judge. The schedule was completed by the children’s section where 13 younger exhibiters staged 31 items, ranging from cooking to photography.

During the afternoon the 120 visitors found much to admire on the show bench, as had the judges earlier in the day.

Side stalls included the obligatory raffle, cakes, bread and preserves, cactus plants, greetings cards and jewellery and the ‘Bonus-Ball’ forecast of the days lottery broadcast. Once the serving of teas began, the kitchen staff worked none-stop to the close.

The trophy presentations were made by the Cottage Gardeners Chairman, Roy Phillips.

In retaining the Godfrey Challenge Cup for his rose exhibits, Stan crouch had to fend off a strong challenge; While Jeff Haine staged some quite superb sweet peas for the Hawthorn Trophy, and took the Bronze Medal of the National Sweet Pea Society for the best vase. Anne Adams took home the Bill Payne memorial Trophy for her fine cactus plants and 10 year old Rhea Ryder was the most successful of the children participating for the Junior Flower Cup award.

The Annual Show is the next competitive event, with over 170 classes to be staged in a marquee on the recreation ground on August 13th 2011.

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Report on the 2011 Spring Flower Show 19th March

There was an unexpectedly good start to the season of friendly competition when the Spring Flower Show of Yapton Cottage Gardeners’ was staged in the Village Hall in mid-March.
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A small number of late entries raised the total submitted to 249; of the 47 exhibitors, some 18 were children, largely, but not exclusively, pupils at the village school. .
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. Despite a markedly frosty start on the morning of the show, the quality of the daffodils was generally fine, and the majority of classes had several entries; not all daffodils were yellow, some were white, others pink and a few had orange in them. Other cut flowers from the open garden included camellias, trees and shrubs, and mixed herbaceous with hellebores well represented. .
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There were pot plants including cacti and succulents and a range of vegetables; rhubarb, purple kale and potatoes. .
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As always, the flower arrangements attracted admiration, and the cooking section was notably competitive with many participants. The Photography classes’ judge spent a lot of time assessing the pictures set before him, and very usefully commented on each image. Finally, the Children’s judge had 50 items to deliberate upon across a spread of classes. .
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The afternoon of the show day with its sunshine was particularly well attended by the general public: about 140 adults plus children entered the Village hall to view the displays’, and subsequently turned their attention to the side stalls and light refreshments. .
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Bedding Plants, cakes, jewellery and greetings cards, the National Lottery b‘onus-ball’ forecast and the raffle all had significant takings, with the kitchen offering tea and cake. .
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The day’s events ended with the presentation of Trophies with the Cottage Gardeners’ Chairman Roy Phillips presiding. To her great surprise, committee, Debbie Lawrence gained the Harry March Cup for most points in the horticultural classes, with Katharine Horwood retaining the Pratt Trophy for cooking. The Junior Spring Cup was won by 5-year-old Imogen Holden as the most successful child exhibitor in a close competition. .
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With the years’ longest days still distant, preparations’ for the Early Summer Show on June 18th have already begun with sweet peas about to be planted..
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First prize winners: Christine Fry, Terry Booker, David Donovan, Debbie Lawrence, Eva Pendreich, Mike Millis, Diane Booker, Anne Hollis, Malcolm Paradine, David Cole, Katharine Horwood, Roy Phillips, Joan Jackson, Thelma Jack, Mary Carmel pardi, Eddie Brown, Dorothy Jessup, Vick Millis, Imogen Holden, Naomi Vigar, Tegan Vigar, Helena Whitelock, Bradley Humphties, Millie Hopkins, Kacey Mullender, Ellie May Vigar, Abigail Homer and Rhea Ryder .

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