Spring News 2024

COMMITTEE
PRESIDENT - Alison Bleasdale
ACTING CHAIR, PUBLICITY - Jan Juneman
VICE CHAIR, SHOW TEAM, VISITS ADMIN, WEBSITE - Janet Jones
SECRETARY - Jane Hodges
TREASURER - Hugh Wauton
SHOW TEAM - Anne Jelliffe
PLANT SALE ORGANISER - Sue Bradder
SPEAKERS - Sue Carter
VISITS, MEMBERSHIP, SEED ORDER - Deborah Gibson
RAFFLE - - Felicity Smith
REFRESHMENTS - Anne Pember
SHOW TEAM - Helen Parker
COMMITTEE MEMBER - Vacant

At the AGM we remembered the very sad loss of Malcolm Hord, Janice Halstead and Roger Lowe.
Malcolm, who had been valiantly battling cancer in recent years, would attend every possible meeting and occasion through the year, died peacefully early in November. Previously President of our Horti Soc, his retirement from those duties did not diminish his kind interest in and support of our society, and he will be enormously missed by us all.
Shortly after this sad announcement we were shattered to hear that our dear Janice Halstead had died very suddenly in Buckinghamshire, where she and John had moved only a year earlier to be nearer their family. A friend to many, and a very long serving committee member, Janice endeared herself to all who were lucky enough to work with her or meet her. Her gentle humour and lightness of touch, not to mention efficiency, will long be remembered by us all.
And then in early January we learnt the very sad news of our President Roger Lowe’s death. Diagnosed in the summer with pancreatic cancer the battle has been short and sharp. For many years Roger was on the Show team and of course at show time we got the benefit of his wife Janet. The team would meet in the spring at Janice’s dining table where Roger and the rest of the team would go through the schedule, deciding on changes for the next show. After Roger retired from the committee, he became President of the Society after Malcolm. He attended each show and enjoyed choosing his favourite exhibit for the President’s cup.

COMMITTEE Jennie Dewsbury is thanked for her 9 years on the Committee initially as Visits and then Talks Organiser, Sue Carter is welcomed as our new Talks Organiser. The remainder of the Committee are willing to stand again for another year and were all re-elected at the AGM. Our former Chair, Alison Bleasdale has taken over as President.
In accordance with the Society’s Rules, Jan Juneman was elected Acting Chair and Janet Jones Vice Chair, by the Committee.

NEWSLETTERS We send two newsletters a year in February and September detailing events and news for the next period. Most members can receive their newsletters by email and we do also deliver some by hand or post. We never pass on email addresses. Our meetings appear on the diary pages of The Dove magazine and the whole year’s programme is available on the Programme page. We are keen to welcome new members so please invite any friends who might be interested to a talk or visit to have a taste of what we offer. Membership last year was 94 and we aim for more this year.

SEED ORDER In 2022/23 the Dobies seed order raised £58.50 for the Society. This year the discounts for members are 40% for seeds and 10% on other items. Orders are made directly by members either online, by phone or by post and catalogues are available online to browse at your leisure. Please help raise money for the Society by placing your orders with Dobies using the Society’s discount code. This is shown on the group booking form but if you are booking online or using the non-group form, please email Deborah on deborahmarygibson@icloud.com to request the code.

SHOW PHOTO CLASSES So that you have time to find subjects to photo over the next few months, the following are the photo classes in the year’s Show Schedule

Blooming marvellous
Wings
Leaves
The colour blue
Close up in the kitchen
Catching people unaware
Alley ways
Generations

Children’s photo classes
Having fun
My mate(s)
My street

PROGRAMME Deborah and Sue Carter have put together a most interesting programme of visits and talks for this year. Please see the form on page 6 for booking your visits. Please complete and return the form to Janet (contact details on the last page). There is a useful box on the programme pages for you to tick for your own reference.
We are always keen to have any ideas for future talks/visits so please send these to Deborah on deborahmarygibson@icloud.com

PLANT SALE We will be holding our Plant Sale/Coffee morning on Saturday, 4th May in Bruton Community Hall so please start potting up divided perennials and planting seeds and cuttings.Please label these and bring them along to the hall on the morning of the sale.We also welcome cakes and savouries for the produce table.

ANNUAL SHOW The Annual Show Schedule will be available at the Plant Sale, from the Community Office, Library and the usual High Street shops well before the Show, which is on Saturday, August 17th at the Fitzjames Hall, King’s School, Bruton, BA10 0ED.

MEMBERSHIP FEES
Regrettably the Committee has decided that the annual subscription to the Society will increase this year from £6 to £8. This has become necessary due to the increased fees being charged by our visiting speakers together with an increase in the hire cost of Bruton Community Hall.This is still excellent value and less than some other societies.

These are now payable for 2024, so please pay at the February or March meeting or see details on the Join Us page.