Friday Forum Christmas Party 2017

It was party time at Friday Forum and everyone dressed for the occasion

The party kicked off with a Quiz compiled by James

 Decor by Peter

Followed by festive food and flower arranging workshop

..... and just look at the results!

 Did you spot Ann's bird - and can you identify it?

 Phyllis modelling her wreath - but it didn't fit under her bicycle helmet

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all

Next Meeting

January 5^th:  New Year Forum

December's wintery breath is already clouding the pond, frosting the pane, obscuring summer's memory... John Geddes

Presentation:  The Woodland Trust by Roger Parkinson

Roger Parkinson BEM from the Woodland Trust

Roger, a trustee of the Woodland Trust, gave an excellent insight into the work of the organisation.  The Woodland Trust was founded in 1972 by retired farmer Kenneth Watkins who was concerned about the loss of woodlands and recognised the need to protect native British trees.

The trust is involved in protecting trees from pests and diseases as well as from human action and are active in replanting ancient woodlands.  This, in turn, ensures the natural food chain for wildlife as 90% of creatures live on the fringes of woodland.

Roger told us about the trust’s planting schemes which involve groups of all ages from all walks of life including school children and interfaith groups.  The Woodland Trust has planted woods to commemorate the fallen soldiers from WW1, created country parks for leisure activities and has grown and distributed thousand of trees to guarantee the future of woodlands and forests. 

  

If you are interested in the work of the Woodland Trust, joining of volunteering, click on to their website:   https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/

Display Table

 Janella brought pots of Heuchera Berry Smoothie, Fuchsia Lottie Hobby and Cyclamen which brighten up her patio

 Judith’s annual Persicaria Orientalis

Gill’s examples of festive wreaths and arrangements for members to try their hand at next meeting

Notice Board

Caroline has requested that Friday Forum annual subscription of £12.00 be paid at meetings by the end of January.  Payment should be made either by cheque made out to Paxton Horticultural Society or cash in a named envelope please.

Next Meeting

15^th December:  Dress up in your festive outfits for the Christmas Quiz, Flower Arranging session, Free Raffle and, of course, Afternoon Tea!

Six on Saturday

It seems there is still plenty of colour and interest in our gardens, if the display table at our gardening group is anything to go by.  So here are our six.

Dorothy brought a bouquet of Chrysanthemum, Dahlia, Carnation, Primula, Diascia and Rose

 Judith’s Rosa mutabilis

 Ann’s vase contained Amicia zygomeris, Salvia Mexicana and luecanthe, Corydalis ochroleuca, Persicaria affinis Fat Domino and Golden Arrow, Chaenomeles speciosa Geisha Girl, Tricyrtis Empress, Nerine bowdenii, a red and pink Hesperantha, Antirrhinum, Gaillardia, Rudbeckia and Calceolaria

James brought the annual Rudbeckia gloriosa grown from seed, Liriope which thrives under the canopy of a large tree and the heritage Chrysanthemum, Suffolk Pink, which he is helping to conserve in his garden

 Judith brought an attractive display of foliage which includes from Spotty Dotty, Cotinus,  variegated Iris foetidissima, Abelia grandiflora, Euphorbia griffithii, the silver Senecio, Rue, variegated Bergenia Tubby Andrews, Pittosporum Tom Thumb, Brunnera and variegated Laurel

On one of Jenny’s regular visits to The Hollies, she spotted this green/turquoise decomposing wood and wondered if it was from copper or algae.  The Hollies is a small park in the suburbs of Leeds which attained Platinum in this year’s Parks in Bloom competition

"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all." - Stanley Horowitz

Talk: 

As always, Friday Forum member Celia gave us another excellent talk. 

We heard facts, myths and legends about why Holly, Ivy, Mistletoe and Fir Trees are brought into our homes in mid-winter.  We learnt that Holly signified fertility as it retained leaves and berries throughout the winter and the Druids considered it to be a lucky tree.  Ivy was not as popular and in Greek mythology it is linked to drinking.  However, linked with holly it became more acceptable.  Mistletoe was thought to bring a blessing on the house and its occupants.  The  best Christmas trees are the Norway Spruce which has softer needles and the Nordmann Fir with its rounder needles which are less likely to drop.   

 

Display Table

It seems there is still colour and interest in our gardens, if the display table is anything to go by.

Dorothy brought a bouquet of Chrysanthemum, Dahlia, Carnation, Primula, Diascia and Rose

 Judith’s Rosa mutabilis

 Ann’s vase contained Amicia zygomeris, Salvia Mexicana and luecanthe, Corydalis ochroleuca, Persicaria affinis Fat Domino and Golden Arrow, Chaenomeles speciosa Geisha Girl, Tricyrtis Empress, Nerine bowdenii, a red and pink Hesperantha, Antirrhinum, Gaillardia, Rudbeckia and Calceolaria

 

James brought the annual Rudbeckia gloriosa grown from seed, Liriope which thrives under the canopy of a large tree and the heritage Chrysanthemum, Suffolk Pink, which he is helping to conserve in his garden

 Judith brought an attractive display of foliage which includes from Spotty Dotty, Cotinus,  variegated Iris foetidissima, Abelia grandiflora, Euphorbia griffithii, the silver Senecio, Rue, variegated Bergenia Tubby Andrews, Pittosporum Tom Thumb, Brunnera and variegated Laurel

On one of Jenny’s regular visits to The Hollies, she spotted this green/turquoise decomposing wood and wondered if it was from copper or algae.  The Hollies attained Platinum in this year’s Parks in Bloom competition

Jane brought along a steel fencing pin to show how robust they are and easy to use when staking plants as they have a pointed tip.  These can be purchased from builders merchants 

Notice Board

The Paxton Late Autumn show is on Saturday 25^th November.  Can anyone help in the kitchen or by baking produce?  The Show is open to the public from 2 pm.

Caroline has requested that Friday Forum annual subscription of £12.00 be paid within the next four meetings.  Payment should be made either by cheque made out to Paxton Horticultural Society or cash in a named envelope please. 

If any members have suggestions for forums to be included in next year’s programme, please let the committee know. 

Next Meeting

 

Presentation by Roger Parkinson of The Woodland Trust plus a demonstration of a seasonal floral arrangements to show members how to make their own for the following meeting.