WEARDALE FLOWER AND GARDEN CLUB - MARCH 2022 NEWSLETTER
www.weardaleflowerandgardenclub.org

Our speaker tonight, is DAVID MATTHEWMAN, who is a Sweet Pea expert.  He has been growing and showing Sweet Peas for over 40 years, winning at all major shows, including 13 consecutive gold medals at Chelsea.  All seed is produced by David at his nursery in Yorkshire.  His website is
sweetpeasonline.co.uk

LAST MEETING  Our speaker's fee for the February meeting was £180, with £120 being for flowers and £60 for fee/travel.  Feedback received was very much in favour of continuing to use the Chapel as our venue for the time being, and bookings have been made for future meetings.  Three issues were raised - i) difficulty in hearing the speaker - we will ask all speakers to use the microphone
ii) poor lighting - we have purchased two LED lighting stands which we hope will improve this 
iii) difficulty in parking - there is a car park at the rear of the Chapel - enter via Church Lane

COMMITTEE The following members have agreed to help on the Committee in the coming year.  If you have time to join us, please let any Committee member know.  Thankyou.
Pat Welsh, Barbara Thompson (Secretary), Kim Smith (Joint Chair), Ann Jackson, Ann Richards, Christine Craig (Treasurer), Ann Cramb, Susan Harris, Jean Shepherd, Margaret Shepheard, Carol Elliott, Judith Elliott, Emm Shaw, Ruby Potter, and Christine Robinson (Joint Chair).
Thankyou to Pat and Ann who have resigned from their Chair and Treasurer posts. They did a brilliant job, and kept the Club going during the pandemic.

FLOWER FESTIVAL AT WOLSINGHAM CHURCH
This is being funded by Durham County Council through the Area Action Partnership, and is being organised  by Councillor Anita Savory.
Dates: 13-22 May, with preview on Friday 13th May
Theme: Weardale
We will be doing a display to represent the Club, approx 8 ft x 4 ft., showcasing British/garden flowers and foliage, and preferably not using oasis foam.  If you can help with this please let Susan know, and if you can be involved in doing other flowers, setting up, preparing flowers, clearing on Monday 23rd, etc your help will be much appreciated - please see Emm.  

There will not be fundraising for flowers as the AAP have set aside over £4,000 for flowers, and  £3,000+ for additional expenses.  The Masonic Hall will be used for preparation and storage.  There are no refreshments planned, other than for the preview - and these will be supplied by the School.  It is hoped the festival will attract new visitors to Wolsingham.  Rotas for stewarding etc have not yet been discussed, but hopefully members will be able to support.

FLOWER FESTIVAL AT USHAW
This will be 9-11 September, with setting up on 7th and 8th Setember, and the preview on 8th September 7-9pm.
Our Club has been allocated the Lady Chapel, which is adjacent to St Cuthbert's Chapel, together with an allocation of £200 for flowers.  In line with their environmental and sustainability goals, Ushaw request that Oasis foam is not used, but Agrawool blocks will be available, or other environmentally friendly means of securing flowers can be employed.  They also request that wherever possible British flowers should be used and place of origin checked with suppliers before ordering.

In the Lady Chapel, the altar, and altar steps need to be decorated with the theme of either Farming, or Durham Quilts - we have a choice.  We need at least four volunteers to be involved.  Please let a Committee member know if you can offer support or have materials that could be used.

GARDENERS' WORLD  LIVE, BIRMINGHAM
This years show is at the NEC, from 16th to 19th June.  20% off Thurs, Fri and Sunday tickets using code GWR5.  Presenters include Monty Don, Joe Swift, Frances Tophill, Adam Frost, Mary Berry and Alan Titchmarsh.  The Birmingham train from Durham/Darlington goes right into the NEC.
bbcgardenersworldlive.com

TAIHAKU CHERRY BLOSSOM [THE GREAT WHITE BLOSSOM]
The Cherry orchard at Alnwick Garden has the largest collection of Taihak in the world, comprising 329 trees that bloom for up to two weeks around the end of April/beginning of May.  Futher information from the website alnwickgarden.com

SEED SWAP
Weardale Community Seed Swap Event, 11 am to 1 pm at Harehope Quarry on 19th March.  Find new seeds, share spare seeds with others, or go to learn about seed collection.  Cakes, tea and coffee.

ADAM FROST
'An Evening with Adam Frost' at 7.30 pm on 25th September, at Princess Alexandra Auditorium, Yarm School, TS15 9EJ.  Spend an evening with award winning garden designer and Gardeners' World presenter, Adam Frost, as he shares advice and amusing stories from a lifetime in the garden.  Tickets £30, order on line via Yarm School website.

NEW PLATINUM JUBILEE ROSE
David Austin Roses have developed a new large shrub rose, Elizabeth.  Named in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and in celebration of 70 years since The Queen's accession to the throne in 1952.  Pale pink blossom-like blooms, embellished with  a shade of apricot.  Repeat flowerer, and fragranced.
Bare root £25; Potted £33.50. 15% discount until 1st April with code PEGASUS.

NEXT MEETING
19th April - Tessa Budd, Vintage and Flowers