Newsletter – January 2024

Click here for printable version

Welcome to the first meeting of 2024
As we haven’t been in the Hall since November, a gentle reminder of our timings, especially as January is membership renewal month so you may want to allow a little extra time. The Hall will be open to members and visitors from 7.15 pm for refreshments, plant sales, buying raffle tickets, etc. with the speaker starting at 8.00 pm prompt.

This month’s Speaker:
On Tuesday 30th January, welcome back Laura Willgoss on “Creating beautiful borders”.

Thanks to:
Val Gisborne and Diane Russell for this month’s refreshments and those members who help set and tidy up the Hall at the end of the evening.

Each month we need at least two members to organise the refreshments. Tea and coffee is supplied and all you need to bring along is milk, biscuits and tea towels and reimbursement can be collected from our Treasurer – Gail.

There is a rota for volunteers and this month it can be found on the renewals table with Gail if you are able to add your name.

Don’t Forget:
Your Membership Subscription is due this month. As agreed at the EGM in July, membership is increasing to £15 which is still good value as it includes your refreshments!! Please see Gail Scott and Rosie Trotter in the small hall to renew.

Please remember that cheques must be made payable to ODGC or Orleton and District Gardening Club as these are the only form of payee that the Bank will accept.

Also, separate cheques are required for membership and / or meals and outings.

Organising Club Nights:
We have mentioned above about volunteers for refreshments and setting up the Hall and clearing up after the meeting, but in addition to this we do require help in other areas.

Whilst the regular jobs are well covered, i.e. the main committee to keep an eye on membership, finance – paying speakers and rent for the hall – and all the official things like insurance, village hall trustees to name but a few. We also now have Jane and her helpers to organise the Show; Marleen and Marjan to find and book speakers, however, we are still looking for another couple of volunteers.

The Village Hall trustees have agreed to finance the overhaul of the sound system which should be up and working soon (if not on the January club night). Jane and Nick have agreed to have some training but it would be nice if another couple of members could also learn how to set up the audio in the future so that there are others who know what to do if Jane and Nick can’t make a meeting and we don’t find ourselves in the same situation as we were in April 2023 when we had to cancel a meeting.

If you are interested in learning about the audio and sound system, please see Jane and / or Nick.

Club dinner – 12^th March – The Oak Wigmore:
We are returning to The Oak at Wigmore again this year. The menu and form are on our website.

Things to Do, Places to Visit:

Garden Organics:
As we are all aware the change to peat free compost is getting nearer and Garden Organics are holding a lunch time basic peat free growing and gardeners Q&A session on Thursday, 25^th January (pay as you feel).

Full details can be found on their website

Hamnish Gardening Club:
Chris Beardshaw is coming to talk on the evening of 15^th February at 7.30 pm in the John Abel Room at Grange Court in Leominster. The talk is entitled “Mount Grace Priory Gardens – redesigning an Arts and Crafts Garden”. Tickets are £15.00 each and can be bought from Alexandra Millward on 01568 750016 or hamnishgardeningclub@yahoo.com and can be collected on the door – there will be NO ticket sales at the door. Refreshments available at the bar from 7.00 pm