Newsletter – September 2025
Click here for printable version: ODGC newsletter September 2025
Welcome back to the Hall for our first meeting of the autumn and our speaker for September is Philip Aubury on the subject of Propagation from seeds, cuttings and divisions.
Philip started his career at Birmingham Botanic Gardens as a student and ended it there on his retirement as Director of innovations and improvement.
Philip will be bringing items for sale but will only be able to take cash for these sales.
THANKS:
To Rosie Sheridan and Jane Goldman for organising the refreshments this month and to those who help setting up the chairs before the meeting and clearing away at the end of the evening.
At Philip’s request the layout will be different this month as this is a practical demonstration.
AUGUST SHOW:
Thanks to Jane Cross and her Show Group for organising a very successful event.
The entries this year were the highest since computer records began, with a larger percentage of members entering – proved by the fact that they ran out of entry cards!
In the afternoon, the success of visitors to Show was proven by the income on the raffle and teas, so much so they almost ran out of cake!
Here’s to Jane and her group of helpers for 2026.
VISIT TO PICTON GARDENS / OLD COURT NURSERIES:
Following the talk by Helen Picton in May, our visit is confirmed for Tuesday, 7th October at 11.00 am.
Picton Gardens is in Colwall – Walwyn Rd, WR13 6QE – and although there has been a lot of publicity about the A449 being closed, this is after the turning left to Colwall.
The cost of the visit, which includes a guided tour, is £6. Please pay by BACS as normal. There are no catering facilities at the gardens but you are welcome to take a picnic.
If you are able to offer lifts to members, please let Monica know.
DECEMBER MEAL:
A reservation has been made at The Riverside for Tuesday, 9th December – more details to follow when the menu is available.
In view of the cramped seating last year, this year we will be restricting the numbers to 4 tables of 8 so reservations will be on a first come basis!
SEED ORDERS:
Marshalls catalogues are now available, together the order forms. Some of you may have received a catalogue direct of The Little Book of Seed 2025 book earlier this year so there is also a price list updating on availability and price.
The discount on seeds remains at 50% and is 15% on everything else. There are also discounts on bulk delivery of composts etc.
The first orders have already been placed as we have achieved the minimum spend. They are again adding £1.50 to each order to be individually packed.
As well as the catalogue, there are many more items on the Marshalls website.
PLANT TABLE:
Just a gentle reminder that we have a plant sales table every month we are in the Hall (not AGM night and possibly not January in future). Over time we seem to have forgotten that not everyone grows fruit and vegetables so remember, if you have any surplus produce bring it along and donate it to the Club for sale on Club night.
NEXT MONTH:
October sees a change to the speaker on your programme card. For personal reasons Pip Smith is now coming to see us in October 2026 but we have been lucky to get Kevin Alviti to fill his place.
Kevin has written a new talk especially for us entitled “Stone Soup – extra meals from the plot”
Those of you with memories of children’s fables (not me!) may remember the story and make sure you look at Stephen’s picture on the website!
Monica
