Little Common Horticultural Society

We are maintaining our membership although she reported three members had died. However it fell to the chairman, Susan Penney to detail the "good year". We have had excellent speakers, including Simon Charlesworth of Downderry Nursery and Ian Currie (of BBC's Southern Counties Radio) on Weather Law. One of the speakers fell ill and the back-up withdrew at the last minute. Undaunted, our secretary Pat Kemp asked Merriments and they sent Alan Roffey who talked about garden birds and how to attract them to the garden with their special food. It was a most successful evening. From our speakers came the opportunity of two evening car outings, one at the invitation of Simon Charlesworth to Downderry (lovely to see all the different lavenders growing in such profusion and be shown how the lavender oil is extracted) and another to have a private viewing of the beautiful garden which is part of Merriments. We had also organised a car trip in February to McBeans Orchids, a fascinating experience to see all the different types of orchid. Two main outings were organised. First to the beautiful garden of Beth Chatto in Essex - whichever way you looked in that garden there was another wonderful view - what a clever gardener! In the autumn we visited West Dean Gardens. The interesting walled garden planted with espalier fruit trees and vegetables and the huge pergola being two of the outstanding features. There were huge Victorian greenhouses (this is a teaching college) but unfortunately empty at this time of year. There were also contrasting trees giving good autumn colour, all shown to us at the annual meeting on slides by Alan Gilbey.

After giving his report our treasurer, Tony Bush gave his resignation after more than 10 years in office and he and his wife June were rewarded for all their years service to the society. We are fortunate that Morris Ekins has agreed to take over as treasurer. One new member Gloria Ratnayake was voted on to the committee - yet another lady taking office. What about it gentlemen!

Our next meeting on December 14 is our Christmas Party. Remember this is your party. You make it. We always have wonderful food (provided by you) - so be there and enjoy!