February 2006 meeting report

The first meeting of the Society was well attended by over 60 members to hear Ms Vida Armstrong talk on how she started a national collection of plants. Ms Armstrong, chairman of the National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens explained that with many plant varieties becoming extinct, the need for national collections to conserve plant material for future generations, for breeding or possible medicines. She started the national collection of forsythias in the grounds of Burlingham Gardens near Norwich by looking in the plant finder book for growers and suppliers of forsythias and asking for cuttings or plants to start the collection. She now has around 86 varieties of forsythias from dwarf f.bronxiensis that grows to around 12 inches to f.lynwood, the most common forsythia in general cultivation.She also has a number of variegated varieties such as 'f.golden times' and 'gold nugget' for year round interest.
Ms Armstrong said that forsythias are undemanding plants requiring a free draining soil and a feed of blood, fish and bone fertiliser in the spring. Pests and diseases are not generally a problem, although they can be attacked by rabbits and deer. Ms Armstrong generally never prunes the 250 plants in the collection, but forsythias are usually pruned directly after flowering, cutting stems back to a couple of inches above old wood.
    The next meeting is on the 16th March 2006, when Mr Brian Carlick will be talking about the growing of Blueberrys

March 2006 meeting report

Brian Carlick gave an informative talk about growing Blueberrys, this included details on the history and development for the blueberry as we know it today from the original wild stock. He also described how he came to set-up his own blueberry growing operaton.

Pontins Early Spring Display 2006

Following fears that the cold weather would result in a lack of exhibits, the members came up trumps yet again with a wonderful display of spring flowers. There were a wide variety of potted bulbs and other seasonal plants, although it had been too cold for the early tulips.

Young Gardeners - Hanging baskets 2006

Easter Saturday saw a dozen Young Gardeners garther to prepare sixty four hanging baskets to be placed through Oulton Broad as part of "Oulton Broad in Flower" this summer. They were assisted by some parents and several members from the adult section. The baskets should be hung in about 5-6 weeks time and the youngsters will be trying to spot which were their handy work.

April 2006 meeting report

Spring flowers evening - The April meeting was a fun evening where members brought in spring flowers, these were placed in 14 classes and judged by the members themselves. The overall winner was Judith Yaxley

May 2006 meeting report

Birds near you - an illustrated talk by Edwina Beaumont. Mrs Beaumont, the leader of the Lowestoft RSPB, gave a talk and slide show featuring the 15 most common birds to be found in local gardens. Mrs Beaumont also showed slide of birds you can see if you go a little further afield. She also explained how to encourage birds into our gardens with feeders, bird baths and growing plants to encourage insects.

Pakefield in Bloom 2006

Once again Pakefield in Bloom was a great success, the Society presented six displays depicting different types of gardens. (1) an Allotment, (2) a Japanees garden.

Early Summer show 2006 - results

The Society's early summer show was held at the John Groose showrooms again this year. Exhibit numbers were slightly down on the previous year, probably due to the very dry June/July. However, this did not prevent the Society putting on a very good display of vegetable and flowers. There were also good entries in both the handicraft and dometic economy classes.

Late Summer Show 2006 - results

Oulton Broad and Lowestoft Horticultural Society's late summer show held at Pontins, Pakefield, was well attended and standards were high considering the tough year for exhibitors.
    Prize winners were Basil Goldspink who won the Rachel Gurney challenge trophy, the Don Tyson challenge cup, the Hearts of Gold challenge trophy, the Mitchell cup, the National Dahlia Society's silver and bronze medal certificates and the Norfolk and Suffolk Dahlia Society's certificate. Roy Pulford won the Cyril Richards challenge cup.
    Frank Mortimer won the Garden News challenge shield, the British Gladiolus Society silver medal certificate, the Dr Taylor Memorial salver and the certificate of merit for begonias, the Corner Shop challenge cup and the Jubilee bowl for the highest number of first prizes at both Early and Late shows, the Samson floral art trophy and the Charles Leggett memorial trophy for most points in their respective classes.
    Sybil Wright won the certificate of merit for the best exhibit in the cut flower section. Guy Filby won the Malcolm E Humphery picture for the best exhibit of pot plants. Lyn Lewis won the Oulton Broad trophy, the H Capon Challenge Trophy, and certificate of merit for the best exhibit of domestic economy. June Creene won the Vera Oldman memorial trophy and the certificate of merit for fuchsias.
    John Thomson won the Sea View challenge cup, the Garden News Challenge Shield, the Royal Standard shield and the Royal Horticultural Society Banksion medal for the most place points in the whole Late Show. Cynthia Thomson won the certificate of merit for the winner of class 91 and certificate of merit for the best exhibit in any beginners classes. Peter Wright won the Herbert Collins Memorial cup and the National Vegetable Society medal and award card. Maureen Cruthlenden won the Lowestoft Country Market trophy. Rosemarie Page won the certificate of merit for the highest number of points in the handicraft section. Jack Rounce won the certificate of merit for the best exhibit in the photography section.
    In the Young Gardener's section certificates were won by Lily, Beth and Matthew. Certificates of merit and the Brian Oldman trophy was won by Patrick.
    The largest dahlia bloom was won by Richard and Shirley Risebrow with the variety Bryn Terfel. The Pontins cup was won by Billy Edwards with a pumpkin of 105 pounds.

Society purchases a trailer

The Society has recently purchased a trailer to be mainly used for transporting and storing the show equipment.

September 2006 meeting report

October 2006 meeting report

November 2006 meeting report

As usual November meeting was combined with the AGM and presentation of Cups and Awards.
    The meeting started with Bob Coutts presenting the Cups and Awards for the year 2006. This was followed by a brief AGM, where the 2006 committee were re-elected.
The AGM was followed by a gardener's question time, with Bob Coutts and Brian Thornton in the hot seat, they were ably assisted by Frank Mortimer.