FINDON VILLAGE GARDENS ASSOCIATION
The Findon Village Gardens Association welcomes new members. We meet at 7:30pm on the last Friday in each month (except December) in the Village Hall. We normally have a guest speaker, with subjects ranging from horticulture to the history of canals; from trug making to natural history.
We have an annual light-hearted quiz night, a Christmas Social evening and of course our two Flower shows, enabling members to grow and show prize blooms and vegetables, plus of course the cookery, photography and handicraft sections. During the year, visits to gardens and other places of interest are arranged, which make for a most enjoyable day or half day out. There is truly something for everyone.
Annual membership is £5 with a £2 entry to the monthly meeting to include tea and biscuits. For any membership details please contact David Gear on the number below
For general enquiries, you can contact us via email at info.findongardens@gmail.com or by phone on 07423 265255
Committee:
Chairman – Chris Young
Hon. Secretary/Membership Secretary – David Gear
Hon. Treasurer – Sue Line
Show Secretary – Sally Evans
Maureen Bowen
Joan Francis
Richie Line
Derek McCourty
Liz McCourty
Peta-Jane Onslow
Mike Solomons
Dates for 2022:
28th January – MEETING CANCELLED
25th February – 7:30pm AGM & Speaker
Guest speaker: James Sainsbury, Worthing Museum. The discovery of a Roman coin hoard in Edburton
25th March – 7:30pm monthly meeting
Guest speaker: Matthew Ward, Findon Tree Warden, on his work in the National Trust
2nd April – 2pm Spring Show
The programme will be the same as planned for 2021. Click here for a copy, but please note the dates are incorrect.
29th April – 7:30pm monthly meeting
Guest speaker: James Harris, Head Gardener at Leonardslee. The history of Leonardslee and what the future holds
27th May – 7:30pm monthly meeting
Guest speaker: Pam Goodall – Around the World on a Bike
24th June – 7:30pm monthly meeting
Guest speaker: Daryl Holter, Sussex Police Heritage Crime Officer
29th July – 7:30pm monthly meeting
Guest speaker: Andrew Humphris, Head Gardener at Parham
6th August - 2pm Summer Show
The programme will be the same as planned for 2021. Click here for a copy, but please note the dates are incorrect.
19th August – Quiz Night
30th September – 7:30pm monthly meeting
Guest speaker: Neil Hulme - Knepp Estate, butterflies and more
28th October – 7:30pm monthly meeting
Guest Speaker: Ian Everest – The Women’s Land Army
25th November – 7:30pm monthly meeting
Guest speaker: Emma O'Connor, Museums Officer
2nd December – 7:30pm Christmas Social
NOTICES
SUMMER SHOW
No need to panic but the Summer show is less than three weeks away (Saturday 6th August). If you have donations for our cake and plant sales please deliver them to the hall on the morning of the 6th. Entries have to be in between 08.00 and 10.00 when judging starts.
In August we will be have our usual quiz night so please bring a bottle, bring a friend and any form of refreshments you need to remain bright and alert! We will, as always have marvellous prizes to compete for! HOWEVER please note the Quiz night will be on FRIDAY 18th AUGUST and not the last Friday in the month. Put this in the diary/ calendar NOW as it’s so easy to forget! ++In the meantime take care
Chris (Show Secretary)
JULY UPDATE
It’s now less than 4 weeks to our annual Summer show (the magic date is Saturday 6th August). So please have look round in the garden to see what can be donated to our plant stall? Don’t forget looking in the kitchen cupboards, not only do we need entries for the Cake competition but also donations to the ever popular cake stall.
If you are missing either a show schedule or an entry form please do see me at the next regular meeting (Friday 29th July). Any volunteers to man stalls, serve in the kitchen, direct traffic (only joking!!) or help clear up would, as always be greatly appreciated.
Enjoy the sun while we can – winter is just around the corner!!
Best wishes and happy gardening.
Chris
MAY UPDATE
Another month has flown by and I’m sure you have all welcomed the rain that we have had this week. If nothing else, it should make hoeing weeds easier.
On Friday, 27th May our speaker is Pam Goodall. She bought a second-hand bike and decided that she would cycle around the world – a decision not many would take I’m sure. I expect she will have many tales to tell, so I think it will be an entertaining evening. We are looking forward to seeing you all and don't forget to bring a flower from your garden for the flower of the month competition – our speaker will choose her favourite, which will win a £5 voucher for Findon Garden Centre for its owner.
You are no doubt aware that Mike Solomons has decided to step down from the committee and as I have taken over as Chair, Chris Young is now acting Show Secretary. However, we will need someone to take over that role from next year and we would be pleased to hear from anyone who thinks they might be interested. You would be welcome to observe the “inner workings” of the role, so do have a chat with either Chris or myself if you think you may be up for it.
If you haven’t already signed up for the Wisley trip on 13th September, do consider it. You will only have to pay for the coach, which at £15 is a bargain.
At our last committee meeting, the subject of dogs at our monthly meeting was discussed. Some people have commented that it is somewhat distracting to have a dog nearby, when they are trying to listen to a speaker. We also have to consider that some folks may have allergies or be genuinely frightened of dogs and we don’t want them to feel excluded from our club because of it. We have therefore decided that we should ask members to please refrain from bringing their dogs along to monthly meetings in future.
Enjoy the sunshine while it lasts.
Sally
