Newsletter – January 2026

Click here for printable version: ODGC Newsletter January 2026

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.

Thanks to:

Joan and Eric Waters 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.

Don’t Forget:

  • Your Membership Subscription is due this month., and is still £15 which is good value as it includes your refreshments!!  Please see Gail Scott and her helpers in the small hall to renew.
  • When paying, please remember payment by BACS is preferred – Lloyds Bank, account number 22530268, sort code 30-99-08.
  • It would be helpful if payment could be made by lunchtime Tuesday so that we can sort the cards for collection.
  • This month’s speaker is Tamsin Westhorpe on the Chelsea Flower Show judging process
  • The full 2026 programme in on the website
  • On the website, under “News and Views”, you can read all the write ups of previous speakers

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. 

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; and “The refreshment Ladies” for the Plant Sale and August Show, and of course Hilary and Sheila for the Plant Stall selling your donations for Club funds, please remember this is your Club and we are always happy for any extra help.

Indeed tonight, Marjan will be looking for people who have been trained on the Hall’s Audio-Visual system to volunteer to set up the kit and is also looking for people to learn.

There are now detailed instructions available, which a trainer will take you through and which we hope are self-explanatory. You will not be thrown in the deep end and it really is easier than you might think on first looking at the equipment.

So please see Marjan and volunteer.

Soon, we will be starting to think of the speaker programme for 2027.  If you have any suggestions for speakers, or feel able to take on the role of Programme Secretary, please see any member of the main committee.  This role is not necessarily part of the main committee.

Dates now booked for meal:

Tuesday, 12th May – The Oak at Wigmore

Tuesday, 8th December – The Riverside at Aymestrey

Marshall Gardens:

The 2026 version of Marshalls Little Book of Seeds is available tonight.

If you ordered potatoes and/or onions this year, they will be sent direct to your home address.

Things to Do, Places to Visit:

Property Marking:

West Mercia Police are offering a property marking event.  This will be held in the Village Hall car park at a weekend in February or March.  More details soon.

Transition Leominster:

Have organised their annual Seed Swap for Saturday, 14th February to be held at Leominster Community Centre, doors open 10am -12midday. It is a free event and aims to bring together gardeners from all around the area to exchange seeds, bulbs and ideas.

If any member feels able to have a stall to promote our club, please let Monica know.

Next meeting:

24th February, at 8.00 pm is Richard Cave on “Melcourt Peat Free Compost”.

Monica