Wednesday 9th April 2008

Members who attended this months meeting at Rippingale and District Gardening Club found the illustrated talk on 'Orchids for Everyone' by Richard Yates of Leicester, most enjoyable. Richard has grown orchids for more than fifty years, a passion he shared with his father from an early age. His advice showed not only a common sense approach, but also a wealth of knowledge gleaned from first hand experience. He told his audience that the easiest orchid for culture was the Phalaenopsis which is bred to go on the window sill or in a well lit room. Tough and easily available it is indeed an orchid for everyone. He said that the greatest cause of loss was through over watering, reminding those present that not only did the thick leaves hold a reservoir of water but the bark compost did as well. He suggested a weekly cap of rain water with proprietary fertilizer for three weeks and in the fourth week plain water. He suggested that the RHS advice for the growing of most plants was followed, weakly weekly - one teaspoon in four gallons. Aerial roots with their green tips show that an orchid is growing well, taking up carbon dioxide along with the leaves.

Richard showed slides of his orchid hunting experiences in Brazil south of Rio de Janeiro he touched on species which he grows in his orchid houses at home such as Cattelyas, Dendrobiums, Odontoglossums, Phaphiopedilum, Pleione and Vandas.

The club continues their monthly meetings on 14th May 2008 with 'A Home for Butterflies' a visit to the garden of Phil Bowler, Windmill Lodge, Amber Hill, Boston, 6 pm from the village green. Field visits continue throughout the summer. The next indoor meeting is in the village hall on 12th September which begins the new season with a short AGM at 7.30 pm followed by a talk entitled 'Colour, Shape and Texture in Herbaceous Plants'. New members will be given a warm welcome.

 

Wednesday 12 March 2008

Members accustomed to the usual high standard of speakers at the monthly club lectures at Rippingale and District Gardening Club were not disappointed with Michael Myers talk on Woodland Ranunculaceae. Michael journeyed from Smelthouses near Harrogate to share his wealth of knowledge with all present.

His immense enthusiasm for his subject was illustrated with high quality slides. Ranunculaceae, the Buttercup family includes plants such as Delphiniums but on this occasion he focused on woodland species - Anemones, Hepaticas, Aconites, Hellebores and Celandines with particular emphasis on hybrids and cultivars. His growing tips showed a pertinence to the amateur gardener with suggestions for interesting crosses within the species. Michael said that although much work had been done in the last twenty to thirty years there was more scope for a lot of new plants through hybridization with infinite scope for flower variation.

New members were given a particular warm welcome and took advantage of the opportunity to purchase specialist plants which Michael had brought with him on the evening.

 

Wednesday 13th February 2008

It was encouraging to see so many attend the talk given by Cliff Curtis on Snowdrops. Cliff gave a good grounding on how to recognise the different types of snowdrops.

Next month we welcome Michael Myers who will be speaking on "Woodland Ranunculaceae". This we hope will help us discover those little gems of spring which can easily brighten up the garden

The open Gardens next year will be on Saturday 3rd May and Sunday 4th May. Anyone who wishes to open their garden or assist with the teas etc please contact Chris Bladon.

All indoor meetings are on the second Wednesday of the month at Rippingale Village Hall, at 7.30pm

 

Wednesday 12th December 2007

For the members who braved a cold evening they were rewarded with a interesting and enlightening talk by Geoff Stebbings on Myddelton House, the home of E A Bowles. Geoff who as editor of Garden Answers brought free issues of this magazine along with a sister publication Garden News. He also generously gave an assortment of seeds to keep us busy next year. Many thanks goes to everyone who brought contributions for the buffet and helped with the organisation.

It is hoped that more members will come to hear Cliff Curtis give a talk on Snowdrops and Hellebores on Wednesday February 13th at 7.30 pm at Rippingale Village Hall.

The open Gardens next year will be on Saturday 3rd May and Sunday 4th May. Anyone who wishes to open their garden please contact Chris Bladon

 

Wednesday 14th November 2007

It was most encouraging to see more members at the November meeting. They were rewarded by Stephanie Lee telling us how to pull a garden together and make the most of shrubs, and hard landscaping.

Next month we have Geoff Stebbings telling us about A.E.Bowles' garden at Myddelton House. Accompanying this will be our Christmas Buffet and it would be appreciated if members could bring contributions - sweet or savoury.

The open Gardens next year will be on the first weekend in May the Bank Holiday and will be open for two days, Saturday and Sunday. Anyone who wishes to open their garden please contact Chris Bladon.

 

October 2007

No report received this month (no secretary)

 

September 2007

No report this month (no secretary)

 

Garden Visit Wed 8 August 2007

This month the weather was very kind to us (just for a change), and on Wednesday 8th August some twenty five members enjoyed a visit to the very pleasant gardens of Kirkdale House at Boothby Pagnell.

 

Garden Visit Wed 11 July 2007

On Wednesday 11 July the club visited 'Pennygate Plants and Gardens'. Sixteen members enjoyed a fine evening viewing the beautiful gardens, followed by tea and a plant sale.

 

Open Gardens 24 June 2007

Rippingale opened its gardens to the public this year on Sunday 24 June. The event was well attended, and although only being one day some £180 profit was made which was split between the Village Hall, LIVES and the club.

The RDGC would like to extend its thanks to all those who opened their gardens on the day as well as those who attended. In particular a special thanks goes to Chris Bladon who not only did the lion's share of the organising as usual, but was left to run the whole event single handed on the day due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

Garden Visit Wed 13 June 2007

Ten brave souls fought their way through torrential rain to Holmdale House in Martin, and were rewarded for their efforts with a very enjoyable evening.  After a tour of the gardens, tea and biscuits were provided and the evening was rounded off with a visit to the garden shop.

 

Wednesday 9 May 2007

Unfortunately our first garden visit of the year, which should have been to ‘The Moat’ at Newton, was cancelled at the very last moment due to bad weather. The committee offers its apologies to the members, especially to any that went straight to ‘The Moat’ as there was insufficient time to let everyone know.

 

Wednesday 11 April 2007

On Wednesday 11 April 2007 Phil Bowler gave an excellent talk on "The Home for Butterflies".

Phil's presentation included shots from his original 'award winning' Butterfly and Wildlife garden which was his home for 12 years in Derbyshire, as well as the history of his new venture when he moved home to the Lincolnshire Fens in 1997. He started with what was little more than a very large lawn, and within three years had created a wonderful wildlife garden which has now matured into the magnificent "Home for Butterflies". The club will be visiting Phil in May 2008.

 

Wednesday 14 March 2007

This month 34 members enjoyed a talk on “Astrantias in the Garden” by Bob Taylor. Bob has some seventy two varieties of Astrantias in his collection at Loughborough, and he showed us slides of most of them. The talk was followed by a questions session, and a plant sale.

We can still use a few more volunteers to open their gardens on Sunday 24th June for the Rippingale Open Gardens, and helpers are always welcome.

The Secretary asked for suggestions for talks and visits for the 2007/08 season. Ideas and contacts are needed soon so that the bookings can be made, and next year’s programme printed. Ideas for this and also the Open Garden volunteers should be passed to John Warman

 

Wednesday 14 February 2007

Wednesday 14th February saw our first meeting of 2007. Harry Leach gave a very interesting talk on 'Growing Veg' which included a number of very useful tips.

More volunteers to open their gardens on Sunday 24th June are needed, as are helpers for the event. Non Gardening Club residents are welcome to open their gardens as well as members, and those who are willing should contact the club secretary.

 

Wednesday 13 December 2006

On Wednesday 13 December members were entertained to a very interesting talk and slide show by Julian Browse on Seagate Irises. Julian joined us for our Christmas nibbles and wine after the talk. This year we did have mince pies!

It was decided to have 'Rippingale Open Gardens' as a one day event for 2007 on Sunday 24 June, 11am to 5pm. Anyone in Rippingale willing to open their garden, or to help with the organising is asked to contact the club secretary, John Warman .

 

Wednesday 8 November 2006

This month 27 members were entertained to a very interesting and amusing talk by Paul Gray on the Gardens of Gunby Hall. Paul, who has worked at Gunby hall all of his life, has risen to the rank of 'Head Gardener'.

Gunby Hall was built on the site of a medieval house in about 1700. It is reputed to have a ghost, and Paul tells us that 'the story he made up' is the correct one.

The next meeting is at 7.30pm on Wednesday 13 December, and is a talk by Julian Browse on Seagate Nurseries. This will be our Christmas meeting so members are invited to bring along a little something for the buffet. Last year we made the mistake of requesting "Not too many mince pies" and subsequently had a mince pie free Christmas Party. We won't make that request this year.

 

Wednesday 11 October 2006

Wednesday 11 October saw the start of a new season with a talk by Stuart Dixon on "Dreaming Spires". Far from the streets of Oxford these Dreaming Spires were Delphiniums, Hollyhocks, Foxgolves and many more of our taller flowers. Stuarts talk was illustrated with wonderful slides taken around his own garden at Hebb's Farmhouse which has been featured on BBC TV.

It was decided to hold the next Rippingale Open Gardens on the weekend of 23rd and 24th June 2007. Members and residents who would like to open their gardens are asked to give their names and addresses etc to the club secretary John Warman as soon as possible.

 

Click here for the DRAFT Minutes of the AGM 2006

 

AGM and Talk - Wednesday 13 September 2006

31 members attended the AGM which was held at the Rippingale Village Hall. The pleadings from the committee were totaly ignored and they were unanimously voted back in on block for another year.

Volunteers were taken for the tea roster (see programme)

After the meeting the members were entertained to a talk on "Delightful Daisies" by Dr Andrew Ward.

 

Garden Visit Wed 9 August 2006

Unfortunately due to ill health the planned garden visit for August had to be changed at the last moment to Cliff and Joan Curtis at Haconby. A big thank you to Cliff and Joan for standing in at the last moment.

 

Garden Visit Wed 12 July 2006

This month (July) 31 members met on a visit to the well established gardens of Gill and Adrian Richardson, at Manor Farm, Keisby.



Next month we are visiting Magnolia Cottage at Glinton, leaving Rippingale Village Green at 6.30pm.

 

Garden Visit Wed 7 June 2006

Wednesday 7 June took us to the wonderful garden of Ivan and Sadie Hall at Haconby. Although a comparatively young garden it is lush with something different around every corner and looks as if it has been there for ever. Next month takes us to Manor Farm at Keisby.

 

Garden Visit Wed 10 May 2006

On Wednesday 10 May we visited the garden of Roy Beddington in Rippingale. Roy's garden is a long time favourite with the club, and as always it was a treat to see.

Click here for some past pictures of Roy's Garden

 

Open Gardens - Sat 22 & Sun 23 April 2006

On Saturday we could not have wished for better weather, but Sunday turned into a very disappointing miserable wet day which kept the crowds at away.

Nevertheless over £500 was taken which has been shared with village charities

Click here to view photos

 

Wednesday 12 April 2006

Ian Warden entertained 28 members with an interesting talk on “Variegated Plants for the Garden” including a hands on experience with the many samples he brought.
We will be visiting Ian at Holmdale House in June 2007.

 

Wednesday 8 March 2006

This month we had a slight variation from the programme, and instead of giving their talk on succulents Neville and Shirley Bell gave a presentation on 'Mediterranean Style Gardening in the UK". The presentation took the form of a competition with prizes for the winners, and was thoroughly enjoyed by the 32 members present.

Volunteers were found to 'man' a plant stall at the proposed Rippingale Village Feast this year, and late entries for the Rippingale Open Gardens were taken.

 

Wednesday 14 December 2005

The Christmas meeting of the Rippingale and District Gardening club was enjoyed by 32 members who learnt a little more about "Lilies, Poppies, Daisies and Peas", a talk and slide show by Hazel Kay.

Members provided a buffet which was enjoyed by all after the talk. There was a remarkable absence of mince pies. (See below - 9th November)

We now go into our winter break, and the next meeting is on Wednesday 8th March 2006 at Rippingale Village Hall when there will be a talk by Neville and Shirley Bell on "Succulents in the Garden".

(Click on the images for a larger picture)

Wednesday 9 November 2005

The second of this season's meetings was held on Wednesday 9th November 2005 at Rippingale Village Hall.

Members were told about the availability of allotments in Rippingale, and asked to contact the Gardening Club secretary, John Warman, if they were interested in getting onto the waiting list. The meeting was asked for ideas for next year's talks, and it was suggested that growing vegetables could be included.

Chairman Cliff Curtis introduced Harold Leach who gave an interesting talk and slide show on "The Mixed Boarder" which was enjoyed by the 38 members there.

The next meeting is on Wednesday 14th December 2005 which will be a talk by Hazel Kaye: "Lilies, Poppies and Peas". This will be our Christmas meeting so members are invited to bring along some nibbles (not too many minced pies please) and enjoy a glass of wine or cup of tea after the talk.

Wednesday 12 October 2005

On Wednesday 12 October 2005 at Rippingale Village Hall 32 members enjoyed a talk and slide show by Shirley Palmer on "Gardening in the Shade".