Six on Saturday

 
Ann, one of the members of our gardening group, brought a pot containing seven types of Christmas berries, so pick your six.

Butcher’s Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) which got its name from the method of cleaning down the wooden blocks they used.  Sarcacocca Confusa with its strong scent and black berries, Hedera Helix (Ivy), Holly (Ilex aquifolium), Iris foetidissima, Gaultheria procumbens and Cotoneaster.

The Propagator generously hosts Six on Saturday.  Click on the link to his blog to see what he and his followers are growing and doing in their gardens this week.

Happy holidays all!

Friday Forum Christmas Party 2019

The afternoon kicked off with a gardening joke from Norma: 

Why does Father Christmas have three gardens?  Did you get it?

Margaret M brought some miniature Christmas stockings which she would fill with chocolates and some hearts to hang on a tree:

See the intricate cross stitching

 

Ann brought a pot containing seven types of Christmas berries:

Butcher’s Broom (Ruscus Aculeatus) which got its name from the method of cleaning down the wooden blocks they used.  Sarcacocca Confusa with its strong scent and black berries, Hedera Helix (Ivy), Holly (Ilex aquifolium), Iris foetidissima, Gaultheria procumbens and Cotoneaster

 

This was followed by James F’s Annual Christmas Quiz.  In groups of three, our task was to identify 27 different types of berries and seeds.

No group scored 27, but James gets full marks for the efforts he went to devising the quiz and arranging the 27 items per table.  It took James a year to devour all the eggs for sufficient boxes and eat lots of fruit and collect the items.  We had great fun identifying the items and learning that the macadamia nuts were named after the Australian chemist John Macadam and that turpentine came from pine nuts.

It wouldn’t be a party without pass the parcel (with forfeits) organised by Janella, a free raffle and mince pies.

Gardening Matters

If you can’t get out in the garden, here’s a podcast to listen to:


https://bloommagazine.podbean.com/e/podbean_best_podcast_hosting_audio_video_blog_hosting/

Notice Board

Sue G sends her greetings to all from Italy

The full Friday Forum programme for 2020 can be found on the appropriate page.

Next Meeting

3^rd January – New Year Forum.  Judith has put out a request for your early garden memories.  This is something she has wanted to do for a long time and it would be good to hear your thoughts and reminiscences.

What have plants done for us …. at Christmas

 Presentation:  The delightful Tracy Foster gave an enthralling talk on what plants have done for us …. with a Christmas twist.  She explained the importance of plants in feeding, clothing, sheltering and curing us as well as inspiring great works of art and for decorating our homes.  We learnt the history, facts and fiction about everything from holly to hemp and sage to stevia. 

Gardening Matters

If the weather keeps you from gardening, consider these:  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/books/article-7736549/Blooming-brilliant-best-gardening-reads-2019.html

Notice Board

Subscriptions for 2020 are due on first or second meetings in January and remain at £12.00.   Please make out cheque to Paxton Horticultural Society of pay by cash in named envelope.

York Gate Garden in Adel has put out a call for further volunteers, with the perk of free access.  http://perennial.org.uk/garden/york-gate-garden/

Paxton library has received a number of books from the estate of our late member Celia Latham Brown.  As most of you will know, Celia gave Friday Forum interesting lectures on many topics, all researched meticulously from books rather than using a computer.  Celia had compiled notes for two more presentations, so if anyone would like to use these for a talk, this would be a fitting memorial.  The topics are Trees and Botanical Illustrations.

Jane has some beautifully illustrated booklets of the past and present of the Valley Gardens, Harrogate.  They sell for £5.00 each with profits going to Friends of Valley Gardens.   

Next Meeting

20^th December – Friday Forum Christmas Party:  Tis the season to be jolly, so festive attire encouraged.  You are welcome to bring nibbles, board games etc.  There will be crafting for those who wish so bring any bits and pieces to create table decorations, wreaths or candleholders and amaze your guests.  There will be some seasonal foliage available.

 Some Gill made earlier

Brightens any room

3^rd January – New Year Forum

The full programme for 2020 is now available and will be on the blog’s Programme page shortly.