This Month in the Garden – November 2023

Well yesterday (I am starting to write this in October) the garden and allotment came to St James’ Church.  Thank you to everyone who provided fabulous flowers and foliage – you know who you are – it made decorating the church for the Harvest Festival so easy and such a pleasure.  There were some lovely arrangements  – they were all splendid – but sadly to accompany this article, I only have room for one photo.  I have chosen the one which I think will show up best in the print version of The Loop.  As we worked away in the church I was remembering Joy and Maudie and Nancy and Sheila and Janet to name just a few of those who have given their time so willingly in the past to enhance the beauty of our lovely church and long may these traditions continue …

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The History of Suburban Gardens – Dr Twigs Way

We were so pleased to welcome Dr Twigs Way to our meeting on 17th October.  Twigs is well known to many of us and it is always a pleasure to see her in Biddenham.  Twigs is a researcher, writer, speaker and consultant in garden history and designed landscapes and really knows her stuff so we were looking forward to her talk on the history of suburban gardens and we were not disappointed.  Twigs illustrated her talk with the musings and writings of authors and the paintings of artists from various times and eras and from the words of the Pet Shop Boys to the words of John Betjeman.  The suburbs are continuously evolving and expanding as rural areas are built over and everything starts again …

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This Month in the Garden  –  October 2023

Well here we are in October and into the “Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness” as described by Keats in his Ode to Autumn.  It is time to gather in fruits from our gardens and hedgerows and store and preserve them for the winter.  Perhaps not now so vital as in years gone by but still a satisfying activity.  In his poem Keats describes the beauty and bounty of the autumn season.  How lovely to see the berries developing and the spider webs in the dewey grass early in the morning – a sure sign that Autumn is upon us …
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“Flowers through my viewfinder” by Hemant Jariwala

After 43 years in the Defence Industry, Hemant decided in his retirement to take an entirely different line of work and to become a photographic expert taking beautiful images of flowers, landscapes and gardens. His photographs are used in Calendars and greeting cards and he has obtained numerous honours for his photography, and is an Associate of the Royal Photographic Society. He is passionate about photography and walking … Continue reading

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Biddenham Show (BGA Tent entries) – September 10, 2023

The 2023 Biddenham Show was held on Sunday, September 10th 2023 at St James’ Primary School & Village Hall, Main Road, Biddenham – 12 noon – 4pm 

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Annual General Meeting  2023

Annual General Meeting of the Biddenham Gardeners Association on Tuesday 18th July 2023 at the Village Hall, Biddenham, Bedfordshire.

  1. The chairman, Paul Fricker, gave his report which is attached. The treasurer Charles Duchenne produced the accounts which had been passed by Bryan Cheyne, the Scrutineer. These accounts are also attached.
  2. Linda Truscott on behalf of the BGA committee presented Paul with the book “The Gardens of the National Trust” and thanked Paul for his hard work as chairman during the past 4 years, and also Kathy Fricker for the support she had given during that period. Kathy was presented with flowers from Linda’s garden. A bottle of sparkling wine was also given to Paul and Kathy.
  3. It was agreed by the AGM that Linda Truscott and Charles Duchenne should be the joint chairs of the Association, Linda remaining as membership secretary and Charles as treasurer. The other members of the committee would carry on in their previous positions. Chris Charlton had kindly agreed to join the committee (and subsequently agreed to become the secretary).
  4. The Biddenham Horticultural Society challenge cup was handed over to Linda Truscott by Paul Fricker.
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This Month in the Garden – July & August 2023

The show gardens at Chelsea this year proved that you can have a lovely garden and still encourage wildlife.  This was also borne out in the fabulous gardens in Biddenham that were open in June in aid of the Red Cross.  I noted with interest the wild areas and the bug hotels in these stunning gardens some of which have been cultivated for more than a 100 years.  Many thanks for the hard work of the owners of these lovely gardens – you gave us such pleasure on a brilliant sunny afternoon. There were more so called “weeds” in the less manicured show gardens at Chelsea this year …
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“No Dig Gardening” by Russell Attwood

Well – who would have thought that a talk on “No-Dig” gardening would be so riveting – but it absolutely was. From the moment Russell Attwood started his  presentation we were captivated.  Russell is a very experienced gardener and a retired Biology teacher.  We understand that he has been cultivating his allotments (he has 3) for over 25 years.  He is secretary of his allotment society in Kettering – he used to dig but not any more.  As soon as he uttered the words “No digging means no watering” he had our attention.  He is clearly a convert but he suggested that we try the no-dig method on a patch of our own garden or allotment as an experiment.  Russell gardens on clay and for him this method really works…

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This Month in the Garden  – June 2023

What a fabulous month when everything in the garden is blossoming and burgeoning and especially with all the rain.  Such a delight to be out and about savouring the beauty and wonder of nature.  I have been visiting numerous gardens in Biddenham and elsewhere during May.  Each one so different but delightful in its own way and with the owners so enthusiastic and proud to show off their efforts, highlight their challenges and bemoan their disasters.  May was the month of the tulip.  Gardens everywhere were show casing them in abundance, as in my own garden.  And, like me, have you been swept away by the beautiful displayed on The Embankment in Bedford.  The Parks Department of Bedford Borough Council deserve high praise for putting on such a wonderful display each year …

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Biddenham Show 2023 – Tent Entries

The 2023 Biddenham Show will be held on
Sunday, September 10th

  SHOW TENT – Entries
  BIDDENHAM FLOWERS AND PLANTS

CLASS

 

1

Asters x3

2

Cactus dahlias x3

3

Pompom dahlias x3

4

Decorative dahlias x3

5

3 Annuals (same)

6

3 perennials (same)

7

Mixed flowers x3

8

Flowering pot plant

9

Foliage pot plant           

10

Selection of herbs in a vase

11

Small flower arrangement ‘Celebration’ max 25cmHx25cmWx25cmD

12

Large foliage arrangement  max 90cmHx60cmWx60cmD

13

Colourful flower arrangement ‘God Save The King’ max 90cmHx60cmWx60cmD
  BIDDENHAM FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

14

Eating apples x3

15

Cooking apples x3

16

Pears x3

17

Carrots x3

18

Onions x3

19

Shallots x3

20

Runner beans x3

21

Longest Runner Bean

22

Potatoes x3

23

Cherry tomatoes x3

24

Standard tomatoes x3

25

Heaviest Truss of Tomatoes

26

Cucumber x1

27

Sweetcorn x3 cobs

28

Courgettes x3

29

Any other fruit not specified above – at least 3 of the same variety

30

Any other vegetable not specified above – at least 3 of the same variety

31

A Biddenham Whopper

32

Show Disaster: A fruit or vegetable which did not turn out as you would have hoped!
  BIDDENHAM BAKE OFF
  Biddenham Preserves

33

A jar of sweet preserve – jam, jelly, marmalade

34

A jar of chilli chutney
  Biddenham Baking

35

Red Velvet Cake following published recipe on Show website

36

A Coronation cake fruit or sponge decorated to reflect the occasion of the king’s coronation

37

Flavoured Sourdough Bread

38

Show Disaster: A bake which did not turn out as you would have hoped!

 

 

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