Biddenham Gardeners Association

This took place on 19th July.  Paul Fricker, Chair, welcomed all members and guests present.  Paul went on to ouline the many highs of the Association during the year.  We were able to keep going from September 2021 to February 2022 via Zoom thanks to the tremendous efforts of Paula Church who hosted the meetings and managed the technology so well.  Since then we have had good attendances in the Village Hall with a number of new members and guests each month.  Paul went on to praise all the committee for their hard work and commitment to the Association and all members and guests for their enthusiasm and support.  Ralph Harding presented the financial report for the year to 31st December 2021 which was accepted by those present.  Brian Cheyne was thanked for auditing the accounts.

Ralph Harding Treasurer, Paula Church Secretary and Josie Duchenne are standing down from the Committee and Janet Bird is relinquishing her role of Visiting Speaker Secretary but will remain on the committee.  All were thanked by Paul for the huge contribution they have made to the Association.

The following were elected to the committee:-

Charles Duchenne  Treasurer
Proposed by Ralph Harding
Seconded by Janet Bird

Gilly Cowan
Proposed by Janet Bird
Seconded by Liz Hurford

Jan Page
Proposed by Linda Truscott
Seconded by Ron Bessey

Ron Bessey  Website Admin
Proposed by Linda Truscott
Seconded by Ralph Harding

Paul Fricker, LindaTruscott, Janet Bird, Liz Hurford and Marie Willis have agreed to remain on the committee for the following year and all of the above was accepted by those present at this meeting.  There was approval for Paul and Charles to be the signatories for the BGA account at Natwest.

Gilly Cowan reminded everyone that the newly planted trees in Biddenham do need watering and asked everyone to play their part in this.  Liz Hurford reminded everyone about the Biddenham Show on 11th September.  There was one question from the floor concerning the roles and responsibilities of the new committee.  This will be discussed at the first committee meeting in September. 

Everyone was reminded of the date of the next BGA meeting on 20th September when Jane Perrone will help us to get our houseplants thriving.  In October Nick Bailey (Gardeners’ World presenter) will be talking about 365 days of colour in the garden.

Everyone then enjoyed the cheese and wine – many thanks to Liz and her helpers for providing such a lovely spread.                                                                                                                                     

Linda Truscott

‘a few flowers from the garden …’

There is nothing so satisfying as growing things – a sentiment I heard recently and I would add to that  – and watching the rain fall gently on the things that are growing.  Not a day to be gardening today but a day to be in my office starting on my article for July.  As I write this contribution during the first week of June I am reflecting that it is now six months since I took up the baton from Jeremy … Continue reading →

On the 21st June we were pleased to be joined by Chris Day.  Chris is the Publicity Manager at Buckingham Nurseries and Garden Centre.  He has worked in a variety of horticultural environments and has also spent many years involved with gardening journalism. Chris’s enthusiasm for all things horticultural shone through during his talk which was illustrated by the plants which he had brought with him and which were for sale at the end of his presentation  This was an alphabetical wander through horticulture with an emphasis on garden plants and Chris was keen to help us make the most of our outside spaces. 

Starting with A for Allergens – the most common being pollen.  Chris highlighted the plants which produced more limited amounts of pollen and were therefore better for hay fever sufferers, these included geraniums, busy lizzies, vincas, azaleas and rhododendrons.  B for Bees and Butterflies came next with details of how to hard prune buddleias in the Spring to maximise the length of the racines.  There was much      discussion about C for Compost.  The target date for all peat free compost is now 2025.  Members agreed that the peat free composts dried out more quickly.  Chris had a good tip – he uses a very small amount of washing up liquid in his watering can, this provides a good wetting agent.  Dual purpose plants came next and Chris gave lists of plants which provided coloured foliage as well as flowers.  Sarcococca – the sweet box was particularly mentioned for its glossy dark green foliage and very fragrant small white flowers.  E gave us Easy care plants and Edible flowers.  F for Fighting growth and Chris advised cutting out dead, diseased and damaged growth in trees and shrubs in the first instance – followed by shaping and pruning directly after the plant has finished flowering and then feeding.  Chris continued with plants for Ground cover and he suggested putting bark chips around plants rather than slate or grit as these become too hot in the summer and damage or even kill the plants.

Lots of useful information was provided when we reached H for House plants which are good for health and well being and help to remove impurities from our indoor spaces.  Very good tips on  growing phalaenopsis or moth orchids.  Making sure that their roots have access to light and mist spray the backs of their leaves with an orchid feed.  And so it went on through Innovation, Japanese maples, Kitchen gardening, Lasagna planting – putting into the bottom of the pot those bulbs that flower last – so one might layer, alliums then tulips, narcissus, crocus and finishing with miniature iris – for a display lasting many months.  On and on through the alphabet – much discussion when we came to S for Slugs and Snails and W for weed control.  Until we reached  Z – z z z z – as Chris said if we had followed all this gardening advice we would all need a good rest.  Chris was so full of brilliant ideas, tips and really useful  gardening advice and it was a pleasure to listen to someone who was so knowledgable and presented in such an engaging way.

Please join us next month on Tuesday 19th July for a brief AGM, followed by a talk by Corinne Price who is a member of the Bedfordshire Gardens Trust, followed by cheese and wine.  The meeting will be open to all members, new members and visitors we look forward to seeing you then.                                 
 Linda Truscott                                                

New members and visitors are always welcome.  
For more information contact: Linda Truscott on 01234 270747

www.biddenhamgardenersassociation.org.uk

Please see this announcement from Pettifers, click link below

11 MAY, 2022, OPENING FOR UKRAINE

Jeremy’s contribution to the gardening world
Jeremy has made a wonderful contribution to the gardening world, especially in Biddenham.   He is passionate about gardening and is a fount of knowledge. He has visited many gardens and sites of horticultural interest and we have benefitted from the photographs he took which are now on the BGA website.  He has given encouragement and support to so many people.  Our Secretary Paula recalls , ‘I had recently moved to Biddenham and was in the front garden planting a hedge, when Jeremy and Susan appeared and introduced themselves. They both showed great interest in my garden and Jeremy very kindly and authoritatively informed me that the 5 foot weeping willow on the edge of my lawn bordering the public pathway was best removed!  Sound advice indeed.’  Jeremy has given helpful advice to so many other people. 

Role as Chairman
Above all, he made a great impact in his role as Chairman of the Biddenham Gardeners’ Association.  He joined the committee with our Membership Secretary, Linda,  in 2007 and rarely missed a meeting.  He was Chairman for a number of years. He led the committee meetings in a very efficient and committed way and the BGA grew in strength, inspired by his leadership. He was thoughtful in his preparation for BGA meetings.  When a Speaker had to cancel their gardening presentation to a BGA meeting, he gave a presentation he had prepared earlier to cover this situation. All of us on the committee would share Paula’s words. ‘Thank you, Jeremy, for being such a wonderful Chair of our amazing gardening club. It was a pleasure to have worked with you on the BGA committee.’

Biddenham Show

Jeremy was a great supporter of the Biddenham Show and his gardening expertise showed in the many prizes he won.  As you walked around the exhibits, you were impressed by the quality of his plants, and especially his vegetables)  and by the just awards he received for them. 

Articles
Jeremy’s passion for gardening was reflected in the wonderful articles he wrote for the Biddenham Bulletin and latterly, for the Loop. His garden is full of interest and is beautifully designed. Everywhere you walk around his garden, there is a different vista. Jeremy is extremely knowledgeable about plants and gardening and is always ready to impart that knowledge. His articles gave very practical advice. As Josie, our newest member of the committee,  wrote, ‘His gentle style of general encouragement and recommendations for gardens of varying sizes, in sun and shade, covering all aspects of horticulture including lawns and the veg plot, has been invaluable.  It is as though we have our very own, all year round ‘Monty Don’ in Biddenham!’ 

 Open Garden scheme
Jeremy and Susan have kindly opened their garden on many occasions for the Red Cross and it has been a very worthwhile experience for all those visiting. Jeremy and Susan have been very engaging to those who have visited and have shared their love of gardening.

Our appreciation of Susan’s contribution
We have really appreciated Susan’s contribution not only to BGA meetings but also to the Biddenham Show. Susan rarely missed a Tuesday meeting and provided tea and cakes on a regular basis. Liz, who is on the  BGA committee, mentioned that when she first volunteered to take on the catering role for AGMs and Christmas parties, Susan was a guiding light and continued to support in respect of providing the tableware.  With regard to the Biddenham Show, Susan helped Liz with the scoring of points after the judges had completed their tour of assessment in the Exhibitors’ tents. Furthermore both Jeremy and Susan were there on the Saturday to set up the tables in the Exhibitors’ tents and put away after the Show.

Our very sincere thanks
Jeremy has made a lasting impact on many people through his role as Chairman of the Biddenham Gardeners’ Association, through his many articles and through his personal contact with people. We really appreciate all that he has done. We have also appreciated the contribution Susan has made to the BGA. We will miss Jeremy and Susan when they move and we wish them every happiness in their new home in Devon.

Paul H Fricker
(Chairman of the BGA)

Chris Bamforth-Damp joined us on Tuesday 16th November to give us an insight into his garden.  Chris is a Minister at The John Bunyan Meeting House and his house and garden are near Bedford Park.  Since 2015 Chris has opened his garden to the public under the National Garden Scheme and he began his talk by telling us about the Scheme. The National Garden Scheme was founded in 1927 when, in order to raise money for district nurses, garden owners were asked to open their gardens to the public for a shilling a head.  That year 609 gardens were open and raised a total of £8,191.  Continue reading →