Christmas Bash

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Written by: Chris Davies

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Winter Event 30th November 2013

About 60 members attended, bringing lots of lovely food to share, all of which drew compliments as we ate.

John Metcalf had set up a very educational quiz (ie: we couldn't do it!) of dead stems. I think the top score was 6 out of 21. ( Training course needed?)

Colin Pusey, his wife, Maria, and Lionel Ponder took care of the raffle, with an interesting assortment of prizes including a pheasant which had grown into a turkey, and back again, during the course of the day.

Ben Potterton was his usual entertaining self, demonstrating the production of three seasonal arrangements which he kindly donated as raffle prizes. This probably boosted the raffle proceeds.  Ben also introduced the self-explanatory term 'spriglet' and said that he was not a 'real flower-arranger', but a 'plonker'. He had a range of very non PC artefacts, which he used to identify the character of some towns and villages within the group, (lynching party from Ipswich?) - and who was it defined by orange string, or the plastic flowers?

{module 2013 xmas 01} clickon pic to view

We also had an “ideas board”, and book where members could vote for some of our present activities or alternative ones, or write new ideas in the book. These will be considered at future committee meetings to see what the consensus is, and what we can do to brighten up our drab wretched lives!

After lunch, Andrew had devised a set of themes, one for each table of up to 8 members, requesting them to create a flower arrangement, prompted by Ben's demonstration, as a group. A vast amount of props had been provided by Andrew, plus quantities of greenery, dried material and frivolous bits for decoration, as well as quantities of extra material generously provided by members. We voted by placing a coin in the pot for the one we liked best. One group won by a wide margin. Ben presented prizes to the best three. I asked him afterwards which one he thought was best, and he said that the winning one had been 'outstanding' in it's flower-arranging quality. They were all interesting and good enough to take home, so each group agreed amongst themselves who would have their creation, (remembering to return to Andrew any special artefacts after Christmas.)

{module 2013 xmas 02} click on pic to view

Thanks to the committee, especially Anita , Cynthia and Andrew for the detailed organisation, and other committee members and the 'usual suspects', plus some new ones, for helping in the kitchen and clearing up. We all had a great day which has started us off towards a very happy Christmas to everyone.

Chris Davies
photos by Colin Pusey

The Old Sunhouse, Damgate, Wymondham

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Written by: Linda Hall

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The Old Sunhouse, Damgate, Wymondham
This well established garden is one-and-third acres and is surrounded on three sides by water -  large drainage ditches and the River Tiffey.  It also has a pond and bog garden.  Trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants, old roses, vegetable garden, fruit trees, wild flower meadow, ferns, hens, quirky sculptures and interesting out-buildings.  The colchicums looked particularly stunning on this very warm afternoon.

A full report of this garden will appear in our next newsletter.

{module The Old Sunhouse, Damgate, Wymondham}

Click on pic for slideshow.
Photographs by Linda Hall

Henstead Exotic Garden , Aug 17th

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Written by: Linda Hall

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Exotic Garden Henstead

In the morning we visited this 2-acre exotic garden featuring 100 large palms, 20+ bananas and 200 bamboo plants.  Two streams, 2-tiered walkway leading to Thai style wooden covered pavilion.  Mediterranean and jungle plants around 3 large ponds with fish.  Suffolk's most exotic garden.  Newly installed composting toilet.

Featured on Gardener's World, Look East and in The Daily Telegraph and many other publications.

(Click on pic for slideshow)
photographs by Linda Hall

Gable House Redisham

Our afternoon visit was to one of our own HPS members' garden known well to many of us. 1-acre plantsman's garden of all-year interest. Colour and variety from shrub roses, perennials and interesting trees and shrubs. Large productive fruit and vegetable garden. Greenhouses contain rare bulbs and tender plants.

Featured in The Garden and Gardens Illustrated.

(Click on pic for slideshow)
photographs by Linda Hall

Full reports of these gardens will appear in our next newsletter.