Hello Everyone
My azalea is in full bloom – though not like this orange one – it’s a lovely dark red. Do you think that is a bit early? I think of azaleas as early June. Maybe this is just an early variety, but don’t ask me its name… I haven’t a clue!!! The garden is coming along nicely and I’ve taken a chance by planting out my summer bedding. The forecast is looking quite warm.
NEWS:
The Chrysanthemum plants for the Members-Only Class at this year’s Autumn Show have now been delivered. These plants will be available for collection at the May meeting.
If you are unable to make it on Tuesday 13th May, please get in touch to make alternative arrangements. breamgardeningsociety@gmail.com
Don’t forget that the list of competition classes for this year’s Summer Show is available on our website. BGS-Summer-Show-2025 List-of-classes v09.04.2025.pdf
Printed copies of the schedule will be available at the May meeting.
Your programme secretary has been trying to fix a visit to Jones Foods, the vertical layered soil-less growing system in Lydney. Growing salad crops all year. It was the biggest in the world and a totally new way of growing with scientific input into balance of nutrients etc. Right on our doorstep.
But sadly this will not happen as the Forester has an article on how it has gone into administration.
BGS EVENTS:
Saturday 10th May – 11am to 2pm – Bream Sport Club
VE Day Coffee Morning Our friends at Bream Sports Club will be holding a coffee morning to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Everyone is welcome – period dress optional.
If any of our bakers are able to bake a cake for the coffee morning, please get in touch. Thank you.
We would like to hold a seed swap and plant stall at this event but several BGS committee members are unavailable. Please let us know if you would be able to help run a stall. Volunteers needed please. breamgardeningsociety@gmail.com
Tuesday 13th May – 7.30pm to 9.30pm – Bream Sports Club
TALK : Ian Sadler : Innovation & Automation : How your plants are produced in the 21st Century.
In the past, producing house and garden plants was labour intensive. Today, automation has drastically reduced some, or even most, parts of production. A fascinating insight into how commercial nurseries work today.
Saturday 17th May – 2.00pm to 5.00pm
MEMBERS OPEN GARDENS :
Many thanks to Geoff, Ruth & Peter and Sally & Malcolm for inviting us to visit their gardens in Bream.
If you are able, please park at the West Dean Centre in the centre of the village because parking near their houses is limited.
To start off the afternoon, Geoff Davis has invited members to see his large unruly garden – he would love some advice and suggestions! Interesting artefacts are hidden throughout.
The Jays, Sun Green Road, Bream GL15 6HX – what3words ///samplers.email.hiking
Then we will drop in to visit Ruth and Peter Bean’s long narrow plot. A beautiful secret garden hidden from view.
Hector’s House, Oakwood Road Bream GL15 6HS – what3words ///purest.launcher.tech
Finally, across the road for tea and cakes in Sally and Malcolm Davies’ larger hidden gem. Set between the road and the oak woods, you will be amazed by the variety of plants that they can grow in windswept Bream.
Little Meadow, Oakwood Road, Bream. GL15 6HS. what3words ///clear.timed.bench
To help us organise the refreshments, please complete this booking form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSehX78UXBTTe9RmuI19aZ25U3TFzhrmLGx909_arIpblIZVfA/viewform?usp=sharing
Sunday 25th May 10.00am to 4.00pm
NEW! SPRING FOOD FESTIVAL
The Speech House Hotel, Speech House Road, Coleford GL16 7EL ///lines.peanut.hexes
The first Spring Edition of the Forest Showcase Food Festival, highlighting fresh spring produce from over 100 local producers and chefs. Including gardening tips and workshops, childrens’ garden area, floral displays and activities to celebrate the renewal of Spring. BGS will be holding a stall at this event with seeds, home-grown produce and plants, a display of the Society’s activities – and membership sign-up
Please complete this form if you are able to donate home-grown produce or plants, or volunteer to help on the stall. Many thanks
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe3QL7wzjr_fV1cplci290OgQQGxXQ3HfmKUfLSbVYfvvjo9Q/viewform?usp=sharing
OTHER EVENTS:
LOCAL OPEN GARDENS– Not BGS organised visits, but you may well bump into a few familiar faces in the gardens.
Sunday 4th May – 1.30pm to 5pm
Ramblers, Lower Common, Aylburton, GL15 6DS : what3words ///revision.knowledge.bought
A couple of BGS members braved the torrential rain to visit Jane & Les Hales’ garden last year – fingers crossed for some more sunshine this year.
A peaceful medium sized country garden with informal cottage plants, herbaceous borders and small pond looking through hedge windows onto wildflower meadow and mature apple orchard. Some shade loving plants and topiary. Large productive vegetable garden. Refreshments with home-made cakes. Raising money for the NGS charities.
Saturday 10th May – 11am to 4pm
Westwood, Belmont Road, Hewelsfield, GL15 6UX what3words ///dust.caring.keyboards
Kerry Ford is opening her garden in aid of Cancer Research UK and the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
Several BGS members visited last year and thoroughly enjoyed exploring her fairy woodland garden. Large garden, woods, borders and ponds.
Refreshments, home-made cakes and plant sales.
Lydney Park Estate Gardens and Museum,
Lydney Park, GL15 6BT what3words ///irrigate.straddled.formally
Open on Wednesdays, weekends and bank holidays throughout May.
Visit their website for more details. Woodland Garden at Lydney Park Estate
Charity open day in aid of Great Oaks Hospice on Sunday 1st June.
Other local NGS Open Gardens can be found by searching here: https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/
I think that’s about all for now.
Enjoy your gardening but don’t forget to take a break and enjoy the view!
Best wishes
Margaret