Dates for your diary

March 29th, Great Yarmouth, Gorleston and District Gardeners Society - Spring Show
April 9th, Beccles and District Horticultural society - Spring Mini-Show (members only)
June, 24th-26th, Pakefield in Bloom 2008 at Pontins Pakefield
July, 12th, OBLHS Early Summer Show
July, 12th, Beccles and District  Horticultural society - Summer Show
July 12/13, Great Yarmouth, Gorleston and District Gardeners Society - Summer Show
August, 16th & 17th, OBLHS Late Summer Show, at Pontins Kessingland
September 7th, Great Yarmouth, Gorleston and District Gardeners Society - Early Chrysanthemum and Dahlia Show
September, 13th, Beccles and District  Horticultural society - Early Autumn Show
November 2nd, Great Yarmouth, Gorleston and District Gardeners Society - Late Chrysanthemum Show
November 12th, Beccles and District  Horticultural society - Late Autumn Show (members only)
 

June 2008

Oulton Broad & Lowestoft Horticultural Society June meeting was well attended, the Chairman welcomed Barry Gayton on the subject of  "The Making Of A Garden".  Barry provided slides and outlined details of his plot of one & quarter acres on the edge of Thetford Forest which he and his wife purchased with their bungalow in 1981.  Barry explained that he started growing plants from seed at the age of seven, his hobby has grown and grown!  Barry explained how he always makes use of natural materials at hand - his own recycling effort.  When planning a new garden Barry advised taking into account all aspects of the location, the plot has developed and established over the years to include an orchard, small holding, natural pond, alpines, roses, specimen trees, specialist plants and seasonal features.  Numerous greenhouses which are full to capacity, house his various collections of Alpines and Succulents etc.  Each year he adds a new group of plants to his varied talks all of which he has grown himself.  The meeting was closed by the Chairman who thanked Barry for a very interesting evening. Next meeting 17th September 2008.

May 2008

Oulton Broad & Lowestoft Horticultral Society meeting was held on 21st May the Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting with a difference "A Bit of This and that", talks and demonstrations by members. Cynthia spoke on her specialist subject of "Tulips" she explained that tulips came to England in 1578 and showed coloured plates of the fifteen classes which bloom at different times of the year. John talked about "Unusual Vegetables" detailing the different colours and varieties which he grows, he also brought a specimen of a Snake Gourde which he grew and dried two years ago. Jean demonstrated a "Victorian Posy" she explained that she is self taught and only started making posies a year ago which she now exhibits in shows. Frank demonstrated how to take cuttings and prepare Fushias and Pelargoniums for showing and perpetual flowering, he explained about different fertilisers and how marked leaves can indicate feeding requirements, he also answered questions from members. Jenny demonstrated a flower arrangement using roses, spray carnations and garden foliage. The meeting was closed by the Chairman by thanking everyone. The next meetng is 18th June - The Making of A Garden by Barry Gayton.

April 2008

Oulton Broad & Lowestoft Horticultural Society meeting was held on Wednesday 16th April, there was a good attendance.  The Chairman welcomed Paul Mothersole who was making a return visit to the society, with the theme of "A Slide Show to Music".  Paul was assisted by his wife Sylvia who are both active committee members of the Framlingham Horticultural Society.  The slides included wonderful, vibrant, colourful views of Wisley, Yosemite National Park, California and the Singapore Botanical Gardens and the Isle of Mull, all the images were enhanced with beautiful relaxing background music. The evening was rounded off with a pictorial quiz on views of Suffolk, some were difficult to identify but some of the suggestions were amusing. The meeting was closed by the Chairman thanking Paul and Sylvia for a very enjoyable evening.

March 2008

The The Spring Flowers evening was held on 19th March 2008, there was a good attendance.  The display tables were very colourful with a large selection of spring blooms, arrangements, daffodils and plants.
There were fourteen classes, seven of which were daffodils which included miniature, doubles and large varieties. The members voted during the evening choosing a winner for each class, the best in show went to a beautiful Clivia (Scarborough Lily).
The chairman organised a quiz with two teams - "Flowers" - "Weeds" naturally the winning team was the "Weeds", nothing new there! The meeting was closed by the Chairman who thanked everyone for making the evening a colourful and enjoyable evening.

February 2008

The first meeting of 2008 was held on 20th February, there was a steady flow of people renewing their membership for the year.  The Chairman welcomed eveyone and introduced the speaker for the evening Graeme Proctor of Crown Nursery, Ufford.  The theme - "Everything you want to know about Apples.
Crown Nursery specialises in Hardy Stock of approximately half-million trees, 200 varieties, 75 East Anglian varieties and a Heritage Collection.  The nursery carries out training courses for the RHS.
Graeme brought samples of apple trees explaining the sizes when fully formed and quantities of fruit expected to be produced from each variety.  Graeme's advice was to always get advice on the right tree for size, cropping and flavour to suit your requirements.  He said that eveyone can accommodate an apple tree even in the smallest garden, a bed just 18" wide or a pot/container.
Graeme demonstrated pruning, showing the difference between a leaf bud and a flower/fruit bud and advice on treating diseases and aphids.
The meeting was closed by the Chairman by thanking Graeme for a very interesting and entertaining evening.  The next meeting is 19th March at 7.30 - "Spring Flowers".

News from 2007
News from 2006