Wildlife & Summer Gardens

‘The Wildlife Man’ – Barry Kaufmann-Wright, delighted his audience at the March meeting. He spoke in depth on ‘Wildlife in the Garden’ punctuated with humorous anecdotes and experiences drawn from his long career as an Essex Wildlife Crime Officer. After his presentation of slides on both the friendly and the lesser welcomed garden visitors, members took the opportunity to purchase greetings cards and books by Barry, including his autobiography.

Next month is our ANNUAL PLANT SALE on Monday 18 April at 7.30pm. Arrive early at the Orpen Hall to bag the bargain plants and garden bric-à-brac items. Any donations would be gratefully received at the hall at 5.00pm on the sale day.

Wickham Place Farm Gardens

Join us on our summer outings to:

  • Wickham Place Farm Gardens, Wickham Bishops on Wednesday 18 May at 2.30pm. 14 acre site featuring 2 acre walled garden and large mixed woodland. Renowned for wisterias.
  • East Ruston Old Vicarage Gardens on Wednesday 15 June at 2.00pm. Remarkable 32 acre garden incorporating formal design, enormous decorative exuberance and brilliant planting.
  • Beeleigh Abbey Gardens
  • Beeleigh Abbey Gardens, Maldon on Tuesday 5 July at 7.00pm. Three acres of riverside gardens in a picturesque and historic setting dating from the 13th century.

For details on our meetings and outings contact the Chair – [email protected] or the Treasurer – [email protected].

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net

Getting acquainted with fungi

– is the subject Ian Rose delighted his audience with at the Gardeners’ Association November meeting. Ian is a well established mycologist who has led and participated in numerous fungi forays across the British Isles. His talk was illustrated with a selection of slides featuring fungi in its many guises of colour, shape, and size. Location and smell, and importantly whether it was edible or poisonous were also useful facts noted. His extensive collection of pictures covered fungi ranging in form from ‘dry rot’ to the much prized ‘chanterelle’. Pictured right is the Cantharellus cibarius Chanterelle.

A day outing to East Ruston Old Vicarage Garden, Norfolk – http://www.e-ruston-oldvicaragegardens.co.uk – has been planned for 15 June 2011, stopping off en route at Taverham Garden Centre. Cost £18.50 for coach and entry. Members and non-members are urged to book early so as not to be disappointed. Further information obtainable from the Treasurer at [email protected]

At the next meeting on Monday 13 December at 7.30pm in the Orpen Hall members will welcome Maureen Sayer, a local florist, who will demonstrate on creating festive decorations using natural materials from the garden. A fork buffet will be served at a cost of £2.50 to each member. New members are welcome to join the Association at the December meeting.

Joining our organisation is easy and inexpensive. Membership subscription is value for money at only £8 per year. The Chair, Valerie Lofthouse, can be reached on 01206 855450 or [email protected] for details on the Gardeners’ Association.

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net
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