Hello Everyone
Another year nearly gone and what a year it has been weather-wise! I expect you will be thinking about what to grow for next year. I hope you find something new and interesting. We would love to see more Chrysanthemums at the Autumn show – hint-hint.
Firstly, the BGS Autumn Show was held on Saturday 9th November. What a wonderful show that was. Congratulations to all the prize winners, many thanks to all the exhibitors, volunteers, visitors and judges. Without your help, the show would not go on. It was a huge success. Visitor numbers were up by 20% from last year, more exhibits by 53% which is great news for the show. To put some numbers on it. Last year/this year : exhibitors 87/106, entries 308/472 which is not dissimilar to our summer show! No wonder we were running short of space?
The finances have been calculated although we are still waiting to settle some invoices. The spread-sheet will be available for all to inspect at the AGM in February but it looks like we have made a small profit. The ambition is not to make a loss, but a small profit will help ‘keep the show on the road’ for another year. I’m putting on here a few of the photos that I took at the show. Very impressive they all were too. Many more photos on the BGS Facebook page – thanks to Jennifer Lang.
Thank you to all those who have already left feedback about this year’s shows. If you have any comments or suggestions for future shows, please complete our online feedback form or email Kathryn at breamgardeningsociety@gmail.com. Summer & Autumn Show Feedback, 2024
COMPOST
The committee have been thinking it might be helpful to put out some information on peat free compost in the light of discussion at recent general meetings.
Thank you to Jennifer Lang who found this recent article in Which? magazine on the subject. https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/compost/article/should-i-buy-peat-free-compost-agoem9L4NI04
EVENTS
Why don't you come along to the
BREAM LIGHTS SWITCH ON Friday 6th December at 6pm at Bream Sports Club
https://www.breamsports.org.uk/event/christmas-lights-switch-on/
Bream Silver Band will be leading the carols; barbecue, hot chocolate, mulled wine, mince pies and yule logs; local craft stalls; Forest of Dean Food Bank donation point; Santa Claus himself will be reading a Christmas story to the children.
Bream Gardening Society will be having a stall - if you would like to volunteer, please get in touch via breamgardeningsociety@gmail.com.
BGS BRING AND SHARE SUPPER
Tuesday 10th December – 7.30 onwards. St James’ Church Centre, Bream GL15 6HB What3words///frocks.keyboards.velocity
Delights in store: party food, quiz, raffle and festive music. For the sillier amongst you, there will be a prize for the most festive Christmas hat, jumper or outfit.
Please bring along a SMALL contribution to the evening's shared platters. To avoid too much duplication, please follow the link below to add your donation to the list. Don't worry if you are unable to contribute - please join us, there is always plenty of food and drink to go around.
Bring & share sign-up sheet
A big thank you in advance and we look forward to seeing you all on 10th December.
Don't forget, if you don't have transport or struggle to drive at night, just get in touch because car shares are usually available. ~
BUZZ CLUB
The Buzz Club Real Gardens – Real Science Citizen science club, run by scientists at the University of Sussex. Director – Prof. Dave Goulson
- The Buzz Club creates experiments that help us understand the wildlife we share our gardens with,
and what we can do to conserve it. - Volunteers all over the UK help us to answer these important questions.
- This year’s projects included Air Bee’n’Bee, The Big Bee Hotel Experiment & Hoverfly Lagoons.
The ongoing projects are Bees & Heatwaves, Ladybird Local, and Earwi’GO! - Anyone can get involved – visit www.thebuzzclub.uk for more information.
- A new Buzz Club project is starting after Christmas, called Bug Bunkers, seeing how best to provide useful garden bugs with snug winter quarters. Ask John or Kathryn for details
Bream Gardening Society has a local facilitator to advise our members and to help our Young Gardeners with their Buzz Club projects.
If you would like to join in, email John at secretarybgs100@gmail.com.
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I can’t really get my head around Christmas but it is fast approaching as towns and villages switch on their Christmas lights to cheer us all up.
I hope your Christmas is a peaceful one with no nasty dramas and I wish you all the best for the New Year.
best wishes
Margaret December 2024