Friday Forum Day Trip to Derbyshire

Friday Forum members had a brilliant day out visiting three very different gardens.  Each one was delightful and inspirational, the weather was great as were the cakes and we commend Janella for organising it and for her excellent choice.

First up was Smithy House, Heath

Chris and Mike Hasty's 1 acre cottage garden with its colour themed borders, vegetable and herb bedsand and two ponds was originally just a field.  They say their inspiration came from visits to various gardens. 

 

 

Next was Park Hall, Walton

Kim and Margaret Staniforth's stunning 2 acre garden complemented the historic property with its various garden rooms and quirky artefacts.  When Kim received our booking and saw we came from Paxton, he wasn't sure where in the country we were coming from!

 

 

 

Last but not least was Hillside, New Whittington 

Eric Lee's 1/3 acre on a very sloping site housed over a thousand plants and had raised his Himalayan garden from seed.

 Whilst strolling through the gardens, having tea and cake and purchasing plants, there was also an opportunity to chat with fellow Friday Forum members.

Derek and Olwen are widely travelled and lived in the Czech Republic, where Derek, an eminent philatelist, speaker and author, taught at Olomouc and wrote about their postal service.

Next Meeting:  3^rd August – Patio Panache by Hilary Hutson

Friday Forum Summer Show July 2018

Summer Show

Our gardens may be suffering from the worst drought since 1976, but Friday Forum still produced the most entries (52) from the most exhibitors (19) since the introduction of our shows.  As always, judges Tony Booth and Graham Wheatley were encouraging and full of constructive criticism.  Our thanks go to them and also to show secretary Dorothy.   Well done everyone!

 CLASS 1          One bloom HT Rose.  First Prize - Brenda

CLASS 2          One Stem Floribunda Rose

 

CLASS 3          One Stem any other Rose

CLASS 4          One vase Sweet Peas

photo unavailable

 Class 5 One vase Pinks.  First Prize - Dorothy

 CLASS 6          One vase cut flowers, judged for frontal effect

 First Prize - Sue G.  This arrangement includes Campanula lactiflora Pritchards variety, Eryngium x zabelli Forncett Ultra, Veronica longifolia Charlotte, Eryngium bourgatti, Galega x hartlandii Alba, Astilbe, Diascia personata

CLASS 7          One pot plant

 Take Five Flowers.  First Prize - Judith

CLASS 8          Flower Arranging – ‘Take Five Flowers’

CLASS 9          Exhibit of Fruit or Vegetable.  This was a new category and attracted many entries

Display Table

Sue G’s Rodgersia Bronze Peacock

 Gerry’s Phygelius

 Judith’s attractive display includes arum maculatum, Matricaria (Feverfew). Poppy heads, Euphorbia lathyris and polychroma, Fennel, Rue, Eryngium bougatti, Crepis incana, Lychnis Gardeners World, Allium sphaerocephalon, the annual Persicaria orientalis, the white Allium multibulbosum and Galega

Gardening Matters

An interesting article plus a competition to enter https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/best-gardens-uk/balanced-garden/

Notice Board

You may still have time to visit Horsforth's Walk of Art (with gardens) https://horsforth-woa.org/

Please support Norma's Coffee Morning on 21st July 10 00 12.00  in aid of Alzheimers research.  Full details available.

Kate's garden is open for the NGS.  Full details here https://www.ngs.org.uk/find-a-garden/garden/31648/

Janella brought to our attention the new venture by the Woodland Trust to save some woodland be the Angel of the North https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/support-us/support-an-appeal/hedley-hall/ 

Next Meetings

20^th July – Day trip

3^rd August – Presentation by Hilary Hutson: Patio Panche