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