Current news from Hagley Gardener's Club
Club At last we were able to have our first meeting for 17 months due to ‘covid’. Hopefully it will all now be in the past. On Wednesday 22 September the meeting was conducted by Tony Iliff. On the agenda was the question of electing a new Chairman. Of the 35 members present no one was prepared to put themselves forward, and it was decided that at the next meeting the matter must be resolved. The meeting concluded with a short talk by John Oakes on the representation of flora on GB postage stamps and the talented artists whose work was represented. ‘Little gems of art he called them’.
This is the last month of autumn, and the flower borders still have some their richness, of russets, purples, crimsons and oranges. The trees are losing their leaves and colour. A walk in the woods is so therapeutic. Go kick some leaves. In the garden collect the leaves, put in plastic bags with holes to allow worms access, water well and you will produce a fine compost to use in spring which will transform any soil to a lovely crumbly tilth. Plant tulips before end of month, 10cm deep in garden or 7cm pots.
Remember, a messy gardener is a nature friendly gardener. Don’t overdo the tidy up.
Hagley Gardeners' Club is celebrating its 25th birthday and it has become an integral part of village life and interest, but where did it all begin? Written records are sketchy, many founder members have died but it seems to have had its origins with a group of fervent allotment holders leaning over their spades on a Sunday morning and complaining about the cost of all their gardening needs. One had joined Wollaston Gardeners' Club because they had a shared purchasing scheme. Why not Hagley? In February 1974 the first meeting of the Allotment Holders was held at the Community Centre and to the delight of all, 26 turned up and appointed a Committee. They all agreed to pitch in cash to buy the first stores (this was refunded after 3-4 years). The local council purchased the first shed and great was the excitement when the first order was delivered. Meetings began at the Free Church during the Winter of 1975 and the club became affiliated to the National Society of Leisure Gardens Association. Originally for allotment holders only, the club was opened to local gardeners and speakers were invited to speak on practical gardening techniques. In November 1979 the A.G.M. was asked to consider Club outings. These materialised along with charity concerts, celebrity speakers, stalls at village fetes, participation in TV panel games and harvest suppers. At Easter 1979 Hagley Gardeners' Club created its Jubilee Garden in Worcester Road and happily this has been revived and is diligently maintained by Bill Simpson. Regular articles were submitted to the Village News from 1978-85 and the club continued to grow, moving from the Free Church to St. Saviour's Hall. Writing in September 1974 the then Secretary considered there might be a Horticultural and Flower Show one day and the WI, and the Gardener's Club staged their first show in 1983 (now an established annual event). The club continues to expand with regular meetings, professional speakers and interesting outings. We shall be proud to celebrate 25 years in January 2000, at Hagley Country Club 7.15 for 7.45 pm. Tickets are E10. Further information from 882875, Betty Ellis
