Note: If you would like to download a PDF version of this newsletter, please click here.

President:  Tony Harper, 4 Darvills Meadow, Holmer Green, 01494 718180

Secretaries:  Terry and Val Owen, 4 Clementi Avenue, Holmer Green, 01494 256678

SPRING SHOW REPORT

Given the date of our Spring Show, I was concerned at one stage that the daffodils would all be over but our members managed to generate a good number of entries, giving the hall a lovely, colourful display. We had a new winner of the Children’s section, with Harrison Whitten being the highest points scorer, and Dave McMillan hoovered up the majority of our horticultural and domestic trophies; I hope he has a big enough mantelpiece! At least I kept him at bay in the photographic sections and Brian Fisher won the Shield for the Best Daffodil Exhibit! Our trophy winners are listed below. One dilemma was solved with the rhubarb entries: The question whether they should be in the ‘Any Other Vegetable’ or ‘Any Other Fruit’ category was resolved by creating a specific Rhubarb category! One big headache in the run-up to the Show was the health of our judges, necessitating short-notice replacements so I am grateful to Val Allcorn, Chris Perry and Robert Hart for standing in so capably.

My thanks go to the Domestic, Horticultural and Photographic judges for carrying out their duties so diligently, supported by our knowledgeable stewards.

Trophies were awarded as follows:

• Spring Domestic Challenge Trophy – Dave McMillan
• Best Domestic Exhibit – Dave McMillan
• Spring Flower Cup (most points) – Dave McMillan
• Judges Cup (best horticultural exhibit) – Dave McMillan
• Cyril Mason Memorial Trophy (Most points for daffodils) – Dave McMillan
• Daffodil Shield (Best exhibit) – Brian Fisher
• Spring Photography Cup – Michael King
• Best Photograph – Michael King
• Junior Trophy – Harrison Whitten
• Maxwell Turner Cup (Art) – Barrie Whitten
• Wilfred Wilkes Memorial (Best Junior Photo) – Harrison Whitten
• People’s Choice (vase of daffodils plus foliage) – No entries

I would like to convey my personal thanks to the large team of helpers who continually help make the show such a success. I can now start planning for our Annual Show on 6th September. Please put that date in your diary, even if you are not exhibiting. You do not need to be a Gardening Association member to look round (entry is free) and refreshments will be available!

If you would like to see some photos from the show, download the PDF version of the newsletter here.

Michael King

Show Secretary

shows@hpvpa.clubb

NEWS FROM THE TRADING STORE

When the supplier’s lorry was loaded with its delivery to the VPA and the Amersham Allotments Society, it was found to be overweight, so they delivered one less pallet of compost than we had ordered. As a result, it is currently out of stock. I am trying to organise another load, with other local gardening clubs. You can see the full stock list, with prices, on our website – www.hgvpa.club. We are open each Sunday from 10am to mid-day.

Richard Chantler

Trading Store Manager

store@hgvpa.club

MUSIC ON THE COMMON, Saturday 12th July

We will be having our usual plant sale at MOTC in July so we are asking members to donate any spare or surplus plants for sale. Please bring any plants along on the day or, if you want to donate them in advance, contact any member of the VPA Committee. 

UPCOMING TALKS

Our next six talks (all starting at 7:45) are as follows:

Thursday 19th June*

The Journey from Bush to Cup, with Giles Oakley

Thursday 17th July

Volcanoes and Dragons, with John Tyler

Thursday 21st August

Potatoes, Phytophthora and Poverty, with Sandy Primrose

Thursday 18th September

Wycombe, with Willie Read

Thursday 16th October

Swan Support, with Sandy Primrose

Thursday 20th November

Annual General Meeting

*Please note that June’s talk is at the Holmer Green Baptist Church.

Admission, with refreshments, is free to VPA members and visitors are welcome at £2 per head.

VISIT TO RHS GARDEN, HYDE HALL,
Wednesday,10th September

We are now into our third year without an Outings Organiser so, no organiser = no outings. If you feel you could fill this role, please contact chair@hgvpa.club.

Despite this, Terry and Val Owen have kindly organised our annual trip to an RHS Garden which, this year, is to Hyde Hall. There is an application form with this newsletter and it can also be downloaded from the Outings page of this website – www.hgvpa.club.

DISCOUNTED ADMISSION TO RHS GARDENS

On the subject of the RHS, as an affiliated organisation we have a discount card which gives two people half-price admission to any of the RHS gardens. If you’d like to borrow the card, please contact Michael King (07790 453386, shows@hgvpa.club).

FREE GARDENING ADVICE

Don’t forget that our own ‘Gardening Guru’, Brian Fisher, is very happy to share with members his vast experience of gardening. You can contact Brian on 01494 711896 or via guru@hgvpa.club.