What humans do over the next 50 years will determine the fate of all life on the planet." — Sir David Attenborough

 Presentation

Alastair Fitter. The State of Nature in Yorkshire

We heard a very interesting talk by Alastair on the work of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and its work in Yorkshire. We learnt about the importance of Yorkshire to the management of wildlife and how a survey is carried out every three years to assess the state of nature, about declining species and how the Trust is rectifying this. The government has pledged to conserve and manage 30% of our land and seas for nature by 2030. This commitment is known as  30by30 . For further information go the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

Display Table

 

Ann brought: Amicia zygomeris which originates in the Andes, Schizostylis Coccinia, Aconitum “Helen Dillon”, Ceratostigma “Desert Skies” and Liriope muscari

 Sue brought an extra tall Kniphofia “Happy Halloween”

 Plus a vase of Asters: Little Carlow, Alma Potschke, Barr’s Pink, a purple variety (name not known), Samoa (Island series) and a sprig of Callicarpa

Norma brought a work-in-progress of a Pomander. Here are instructions to start yours off at home to be ready for Christmas for your home or a gift. Bring in your pomander so we can measure the progress.

Next Meeting

6^th November: Forum – Talk by member Wendy Platt. The gardens of Madeira

Harvest Forum

Harvest Forum 2026

Although the attendance was low for this meeting, those who did attend had a fine afternoon tea tasting the exhiibits.

Harvest forum baking competition results were as follows:

Categories

1. Savoury scones no entries

2. Fruit scones 1st Prize – Dorothy

3. Fruit Pie 1^st Prize - Carol

4. Cake to include one vegetable 1^st Prize - Suzanne

5. Shortbread no entries

Our thanks go to Liz for judging the entries and to Dorothy for being contest secretary.

Display Table

Amanda brought Stapelia hirsuta which has flowered for the first time

Garden matters

Our members Derek and Olwen recently visited Jervaulx Abbey Gardens with Rainton Garden Club and Derek sent this report:

What a nice day, blue skies all he way showing off the Yorkshire Dales
at its best. We followed our Sat-Nav, so instead of the expected route
using main roads via Ripon it took us up past Fylingdales to
Summerbridge and almost to Pately Bridge, before turning up through
narrow twisting one track lanes to get up on the moors. Here what must
have been a Roman road it was so straight, before again narrow lanes
down to Masham and the main road to Jervaulx. Meeting Janella and ten
others from her group we were escorted through an impressive gatehouse
to the garden. The extensive gardens are on both sides of ridge behind
the Abbey ruins. Planned as a romantic woodland setting in the 1800s so
has some very impressive Giant Redwoods, Cedars, Yews and Pines. Modern
improvements have included a glasshouse and formal gardens, with huge
varieties of unusual bushes and plants, beautifully manicured lawns and
paths with an incredible number of sculptures everywhere you looked. I
apologise for using so many superlatives in my description but all were
well deserved, it is an outstanding garden . 

We finished at Brymor ice-cream parlour for a drink and an ice-cream before retracing our route back home. 

Our best day out for a long time, many thanks to Janella for organising it.

This definitely sounds like one to add to our “to visit” list.

Next Meeting

18^th September: Presentation by Alistair Fitter on The State of Nature in Yorkshire