Now it's November

Gardens of Yorkshire

Tony Cleaver:  Popular speaker and talented flower arranger

There could be nothing better on a damp, grey afternoon than a talk by Tony Cleaver on a selection of large and small gardens from all over the Yorkshire region.  The presentation was illustrated by stunning photos which took us through the year; some shots of the flowers entailed Tony lying full length on the ground on a duvet!  That’s dedication.  We learnt about the history of the gardens and heard many anecdotes.  Tony even told us who provides the best afternoon tea!  I have a list of gardens I aim to visit next year at the time they are in their prime.  Maybe we can even go on a Friday Forum trip.

Get gardening to live longer!

Jill brought to our attention a recent article in the Guardian.  Read it here, and let us know your thoughts.

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/oct/28/gardening-exercise-cutting-heart-attack-risk-diy-60-plus

Display Table

Considering that we are now in November, there was a colourful display on the table from the gardens of various members.  Plenty of ideas for Autumn interest in our gardens next year.

Reminder for the Late Autumn Show of the Paxton Horticultural Society

Going by the last show which was a very lively and successful event, we are anticipating great things at the Autumn Show.

This will take place on 23^rd November with the judging of the Chrysanthemums, Fruit and Vegetables, Flower Arranging, Pot Plants and Cookery and Crafts classes at 12 noon.  The show will then be open to the public from 2.00 – 4.30 pm when there are refreshments and a tombola.  Contact Graham Wheatley on 0113 2563055 for further details.

Update

·         The Bring and Buy sale proved profitable and we are grateful for Margaret and Carl for the jam and cream they provided for the celebration cream tea.

·         Membership numbers are being maintained.

·         Friends of Paxton are meeting at midday on 4 November, but if anyone can’t make it but is willing to offer their DIY or caretaking skills at another time, please let us know.

 

Next Meeting

 

We will discuss bulbs of all kinds; not just tulips and daffodils.  Contributions of tips and advice from members will be invaluable.  We are also going to cover hardwood cuttings and perhaps flower arrangements for the Christmas season.  There will be something for everyone!

The annual  Membership Fee for 2014 of £11.00 can be paid from now until end December

 

The Friday Forum meets on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month at 1.30pm at the Paxton Hall.  Paxton Horticultural Society is located at 186, Kirkstall Lane, Leeds LS5 2AB.   The meetings are split between hands-on sessions, guest speakers and garden visits. A regular feature is the "Plant Table" where members are invited to bring their plants for discussion and advice.  Another feature is the "Sales Table where members bring plants and cuttings and produce they have
grown to sell at a small cost to help the club funds.  For further information, please use the comments box or log on to https://sites.google.com/site/paxtonhorticulturalsocietycouk/Home 

 

  

Party time at Paxton Friday Forum

As we celebrated the 20^th anniversary of Friday Forum, some time-honoured members shared their reminiscences.

Celia Latham Brown, herself a stalwart member, read out from notes supplied by Gerry Vernon, who set up the group.

We learnt about the origins of Friday Forum.  It was at the time that the television programme “The Good Life” resulted in a rise of the popularity of gardening and it was thought that such a group could help new gardeners. 

Margaret Denton, first Chairman of the group recounted a visit to Prince Charles garden at Highgrove.    Stringent identification and police checks were carried out, visitors were counted on and off the coach and tea was served in china cups accompanied by Highgrove biscuits.  Nobody has admitted to taking any cuttings!

Margaret’s husband Carl was the first treasurer and we can see his careful bookkeeping.

 

The celebrations continued with a cream tea

 

 

The Bring and Buy Sale was a success; bric-a-brac, plants and other produce were snapped up including Marjorie’s scrumptious Peanut Butter Cookies, for which she has kindly given us the recipe:

Peanut Butter Cookies

3oz margarine

1oz lard

6oz plain flour

3oz brown sugar

1 egg

¼ tsp salt

¼ tsp bicarb

3oz peanut butter (2 good tablespoons - use the chunky peanut butter) 

Cream the marg, lard and egg, add sugar, peanut butter then the rest of dry ingredients.

Take a teaspoonful of the mixture and form into a ball.

Press down a little onto a baking sheet.

Bake at gas mark 5 for about 10 minutes.

Wild about Gardens Week

It's RHS Wild About Gardens week from 25 – 31 October.  Have you made your garden more wild-life friendly?  If you would like more tips to try this website:  http://www.wildaboutgardensweek.org.uk/ 

Links

I have added links to a few of my favourite gardening blogs to the Blog List.  Do you have any to recommend?

Dates for your diary

The next meeting of the Friday Forum will be on 1^st November.  We welcome a return visit of the entertaining speaker Tony Cleaver who is giving an illustrated talk on Yorkshire Gardens.  Non-members and members of other Paxton groups are cordially invited.

Friends of Paxton will meet on 4^th November at midday.  Volunteers to assist with the maintenance of Paxton Hall are much appreciated.

 

The Friday Forum meets on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month at 1.30pm at the Paxton Hall.  Paxton Horticultural Society is located at 186, Kirkstall Lane, Leeds LS5 2AB.   The meetings are split between hands-on sessions, guest speakers and garden visits. A regular feature is the "Plant Table" where members are invited to bring their plants for discussion and advice.  Another feature is the "Sales Table where members bring plants and cuttings and produce they have grown to sell at a small cost to help the club funds.  For further information, please use the comments box or log on to https://sites.google.com/site/paxtonhorticulturalsocietycouk/Home