October 2014
Download a PDF of the October 2014 Newsletter here
The Autumn Show
We had another great show this year; and great veg despite the plague of slugs! We were surrounded by beautiful flowers, giant pumpkins, lovely crafts, tasty jams, stunning floral art and so much more, and it was great to have the Roke and Benson band there to entertain us; didn’t they sound good and look so smart!
A big THANK YOU to everyone who helped with the show and to all those who exhibited; numbers were slightly up on last year, which is great to see. Thanks also to all our judges who give up their time to share their expertise, and to the Deputy Mayor Lynda Atkins for handing out the prizes and helping with the raffle.
Finally a huge thank you to our kind sponsors who support WAGS by covering some of the costs of staging the show; please give them your support:
Our Major Sponsors: Champions, Pettit’s, Rowse Honey and Fugro
Sponsor of the Floral Art Section: Keri Harvey The Florists
Sponsor of the Children’s Prizes: Wallingford Bookshop
For giving us a discount on engraving for the trophies: Feetfirst
It was exhausting, but I thoroughly enjoyed the day and hope that all of you who took part, or came on the day, enjoyed yourselves too.
Picking out a few winners: As always we can rely on Jean to set the bar, particularly on container plants this year. Quite something to see Antonio balancing those begonias on his head! The floral art blew me away again this year, well done ladies (sadly it is always ladies – come on boys!). The judges were all impressed with standard of the exhibits they had to judge, except perhaps for my ornamental pears. As usual, there is a list of Trophy Winners in this newsletter and on the website.
One lovely story relates to Albert Reed who is sadly no longer with us. We decided to have a trophy to commemorate him, and thought the “Best in Show Vegetable” would suit him best. I was therefore delighted when I won that trophy for the first time for my Shallots, whose grandparents were shallots that Albert gave me, and they were displayed in a little wooden tray that Albert also kindly gave me when he stopped showing himself.
I was pleased to see a few more children enter this year, but they really do love to have more entries to compete against. So, if you have kiddywinks, do consider encouraging them to enter next year, they will get a lot from it I am sure.
For anyone who missed the show, do take a look at the Gallery. We didn’t capture all the exhibits, so if you have any photos, particularly of winning entries, please email them to me.
All you WAGS members out there, I look forward to seeing you on September 12th 2015.
Sandra Halstead
Show Secretary & Madam Chairman
P.S. If you have any ideas or suggestions regarding the show, please do get in touch with me, I would love to hear them.
A big THANK YOU to everyone who helped with the show and to all those who exhibited; numbers were slightly up on last year, which is great to see. Thanks also to all our judges who give up their time to share their expertise, and to the Deputy Mayor Lynda Atkins for handing out the prizes and helping with the raffle.
Finally a huge thank you to our kind sponsors who support WAGS by covering some of the costs of staging the show; please give them your support:
Our Major Sponsors: Champions, Pettit’s, Rowse Honey and Fugro
Sponsor of the Floral Art Section: Keri Harvey The Florists
Sponsor of the Children’s Prizes: Wallingford Bookshop
For giving us a discount on engraving for the trophies: Feetfirst
It was exhausting, but I thoroughly enjoyed the day and hope that all of you who took part, or came on the day, enjoyed yourselves too.
Picking out a few winners: As always we can rely on Jean to set the bar, particularly on container plants this year. Quite something to see Antonio balancing those begonias on his head! The floral art blew me away again this year, well done ladies (sadly it is always ladies – come on boys!). The judges were all impressed with standard of the exhibits they had to judge, except perhaps for my ornamental pears. As usual, there is a list of Trophy Winners in this newsletter and on the website.
One lovely story relates to Albert Reed who is sadly no longer with us. We decided to have a trophy to commemorate him, and thought the “Best in Show Vegetable” would suit him best. I was therefore delighted when I won that trophy for the first time for my Shallots, whose grandparents were shallots that Albert gave me, and they were displayed in a little wooden tray that Albert also kindly gave me when he stopped showing himself.
I was pleased to see a few more children enter this year, but they really do love to have more entries to compete against. So, if you have kiddywinks, do consider encouraging them to enter next year, they will get a lot from it I am sure.
For anyone who missed the show, do take a look at the Gallery. We didn’t capture all the exhibits, so if you have any photos, particularly of winning entries, please email them to me.
All you WAGS members out there, I look forward to seeing you on September 12th 2015.
Sandra Halstead
Show Secretary & Madam Chairman
P.S. If you have any ideas or suggestions regarding the show, please do get in touch with me, I would love to hear them.
Madam Chairman's Piece
The Autumn Show marks the last event of the WAGS 2014 calendar, and what a great day we had. It was lovely to have the band playing out in the sunshine and be able to sit out with tea and a slice of cake!
September has been, and looks to continue to be, a lovely warm month, pretty dry though. I will keep my fingers crossed for the frost to delay, so that I can continue to enjoy my dahlias as long as possible.
We hope to have the Dobie’s catalogue in store by the end of September, offering a great discount on seeds, as usual – read details in the Store Manager’s report. Great job for a cold evening, going through a catalogue and finding lovely seeds to try.
If you have any ideas for WAGS 2015, I would love to hear from you. Anyone out there want to help us run trips, or support us running the store?
Thank you to all WAGS members for supporting your society; don’t forget to recommend us to your green-fingered friends.
Sandra Halstead
September has been, and looks to continue to be, a lovely warm month, pretty dry though. I will keep my fingers crossed for the frost to delay, so that I can continue to enjoy my dahlias as long as possible.
We hope to have the Dobie’s catalogue in store by the end of September, offering a great discount on seeds, as usual – read details in the Store Manager’s report. Great job for a cold evening, going through a catalogue and finding lovely seeds to try.
If you have any ideas for WAGS 2015, I would love to hear from you. Anyone out there want to help us run trips, or support us running the store?
Thank you to all WAGS members for supporting your society; don’t forget to recommend us to your green-fingered friends.
Sandra Halstead
Store News
The Dobies catalogues will be available in store from October.
Important change to Dobies Orders This year there is a change to how orders are placed. The catalogue will contain a code that you need to put on your order form. This code identifies that you are a WAGS member. Members should send their order forms and payment directly to Dobies for processing, rather than handing them in at the Store. You will still get your 30% on seeds and 10% on other items, so come and collect a catalogue and place your order.
We stock all the usual variety of composts, fertilizers (by the kg), liquid fertilizers and tomato feeds, not to mention seed trays, string, labels, etc. – at ‘membership’ prices too! Do let me know if there is something you need that is not in stock – we’ll order it on request.
We’re still looking for helpers to run the Store — if you have an odd hour to spare Saturday mornings, please contact Sandra to add your name to her list of potential helpers. I’m also still looking for an Assistant Store Manager to stand in for me if I’m away. Please call in to the Store for a chat if you are interested.
Colin Timmins
Important change to Dobies Orders This year there is a change to how orders are placed. The catalogue will contain a code that you need to put on your order form. This code identifies that you are a WAGS member. Members should send their order forms and payment directly to Dobies for processing, rather than handing them in at the Store. You will still get your 30% on seeds and 10% on other items, so come and collect a catalogue and place your order.
We stock all the usual variety of composts, fertilizers (by the kg), liquid fertilizers and tomato feeds, not to mention seed trays, string, labels, etc. – at ‘membership’ prices too! Do let me know if there is something you need that is not in stock – we’ll order it on request.
We’re still looking for helpers to run the Store — if you have an odd hour to spare Saturday mornings, please contact Sandra to add your name to her list of potential helpers. I’m also still looking for an Assistant Store Manager to stand in for me if I’m away. Please call in to the Store for a chat if you are interested.
Colin Timmins
Apple Day in Brightwell cum Sotwell
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Keri The Florist 2014 'CHRISTMAS' Workshop Dates
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Brightwell cum Sotwell will be holding their 5th Apple Day on Sunday 12 October at the Red Lion pub from 12:00 to 15:00. This free event is a celebration of this year's apple harvest and usually includes apple tastings, traditional cider, apple juice, jams, honey and cakes for sale, and kids’ apple-themed games. It will also mark the launch of their community Orchard. The highlight of the day will be Paul Chilton's impressive display of some of the 78 heritage varieties of apple found in the village.
You can follow preparations for the day on the Brightwell Village Orchard Group Website: http://brightwellorchards.blogspot.co.uk/ |
One hour workshops at Keri The Florist, only 6 Students per workshop and free parking. All fresh material & sundries supplied, design made is yours to take home. You will learn a range of basic skills and will be able to construct simple designs with confidence. The course covers basic techniques such as wiring and arrangements in floral foam. The course is aimed at beginners with an interest in floristry. Light refreshment will be supplied.
Course Reference: KTFxmas2014 Course Fees: £20.00 per one hour workshop All dates are in December: Traditional Christmas door wreath: 17th 7-8pm, 18th 11am-12pm & 7-8pm, 21st 11am-12pm Contemporary door wreath: 19th 11am-12pm & 7-8pm Festive table decoration: 22nd 11am-12pm & 7-8pm If you would like to book any of the above workshops please contact Keri or Laura [email protected], call 01491 838005 or pop into the shop at 1 Ayres Yard, Station Road, Wallingford. Please book ASAP to avoid disappointment; payment required upon booking. |