Hello everyone.
I think the weather has been rather topsy turvy but not too bad these last few days. I’ve even had a chance to make a start on the gardening. I’ve pruned the roses and hydrangeas and was delighted to see the first of the snowdrops bravely popping up their heads! A promise of much better to still come. Hopefully, the worst of the winter is behind us now. Well, fingers crossed.
Sorry this newsletter is rather longer than usual but there is a lot to tell you about.
Tuesday 11th February Bream Gardening Society ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING at 7.30pm at Bream Sports Club
Here is your chance to meet the committee and pose any questions you may have. As is customary, the whole committee resigns and is re-elected subject to approval from the floor. We have streamlined the process so should be a lot quicker than last year!! We look forward to seeing you there.
May I remind you that your annual subscription will be due at the AGM. It remains at £12 per person. The easiest way to pay would be by BACS The preferred method of payment for any BGS subscriptions or events are
(1) bank transfer
(2) card payment (card reader will be available at meetings and events) – or (3) cash.
BACS details : Bream Gardening Society: Sort Code: 30-95-29: account no: 00026942 Please put down a reference so we can identify the payment. (e.g. M.MOUSE – subs.)
Due to banks introducing charges for Community Group accounts we will only be accepting cheques for larger amounts and in exceptional circumstances.
We are also keen to find out what the seeds will be for the ‘Members Only’ classes at this year’s shows. As in previous years, free seeds will be available only to members attending the AGM or who send their Apologies for Absence in advance of the meeting.
We will also be revealing some of the other Show Classes including the photography classes, so this is an opportunity for members to get a head-start on the competition.
The AGM is the closing date for seed and seed potato orders.
In addition to the trips mentioned here, the 2025 programme of events will be available at the AGM.
Tuesday, March 11th – BGS ANNUAL MEAL at The Miners Arms, Whitecroft GL15 4 PE
See the booking form in the members’ area of the website for details and menu – also available at the AGM. Keep this date free.
This is our annual social get together over food in a local pub. Big car park. Easy to find!
Please send forms to breamgardeningsociety@gmail.com Maps available on reverse of booking form, or ask one of us.
EVENTS
We have several away trips planned for the programme this year. – details below. It will help us to organise some of these trips if we have some idea of who would be likely to book. If numbers allow, we will book coach transport for these three visits instead of car sharing; however, this will add to the cost of the trips. Please indicate your interest in each of these three trips.
Colesbourne Garden, Stanton Village Gardens, National Botanic Gardens of Wales.
BGS trips – expression of interest form
Or contact Diana at ellwoodlodge@gmail.com or 07419373254.
This is not a firm booking at this stage, just an indication of interest. Thank you.
Now here’s a picture to gladden your heart!
COLESBOURNE GARDENS GL53 9NP (near Cheltenham)
Saturday 15th February. Site open 1pm to 4 pm. Adults £10.
See website for full details: www.colesbournegardens.org.uk
Over 10 acres of private gardens and woodland walks with a mix of over 300 varieties of snowdrops, hellebores, cyclamen and a wide variety of early flowering shrubs. Plant sales.
Each weekend a different charity will be selling hot drinks and cakes in the courtyard.
We are planning a BGS visit but if you prefer a different day, see their website.
Sunday 8th June – site open 1pm to 6pm
STANTON VILLAGE GARDENS, Stanton, near Broadway. WR12 7NE Adults: £10 plus transport
A selection of gardens open in this picturesque, unspoilt Cotswold village. Many houses border the street with long gardens hidden behind. Gardens vary from those with colourful herbaceous borders, established trees, shrubs and vegetable gardens to tiny cottage gardens.
Stanton is an unspoilt, peaceful C17 Cotswold village nestling under the escarpment. The main street has remained relatively unchanged for centuries.
A competitively priced plant stall, in the centre of the village, offers a wide variety of donated plants all grown in local gardens. The delicious teas & cakes are legendary, you will find these refreshments in selected gardens.
A unique opportunity for anyone who enjoys visiting gardens to explore the hidden secrets of this beautiful, unspoilt, Cotswold village.
See website for full details: National Garden Scheme: Stanton Village Gardens
Saturday 12th July – site open 10am to 4pm
NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDENS OF WALES Carmarthenshire, SA32 8HN Adults: £16.85 plus transport (Coach approx. £15 per person.)
Opened in May 2000, voted no.1 garden to visit by BBC Gardeners World. Recognised as the most influential landscape scheme in Wales, dedicated to the advancement of science and conservation of plants and related subjects.
With over 500 acres there is plenty to see and do. Some of which are The Great Glasshouse, Hay Meadow, Arboretum Birds of Prey, Bog Garden, Growing the Future Garden, to name but a few.
See website for full details: www.botanicgarden.wales
FEBRUARY
HEDGE LAYING at The Old Place, Bream, on the junction of Bream High Street and Lydney Road with the maypole in the garden. A hedge laying demonstration starts at 9am on 1st February but this will be an ongoing project.
Saturday 8th March at 2pm Fruit Tree Pruning
Julia Brindley, Clearwell, GL16 8 PW Where we prune mixed fruit trees in a small orchard. Flat ground, trees not too high. Some in need of a big prune to rejuvenate. They then give us the apples for our Fruit Pressing. Thanks to Julia Brindley.
OTHER EVENTS LOCALLY (not BGS)
Tuesday 18th February at 7.15 pm for 7.30pm. Ruspidge Memorial Hall
RUSPIDGE GARDENING CLUB will host a talk by ecologist Finley Reynolds about garden ponds, especially the wildlife potential of small ponds. His talk will briefly touch on how to create a wildlife pond and then move onto managing ponds throughout the seasons. Visitors £2. £1 for refreshments and/ or raffle.
Friday 21st February YOUNG GARDENERS’ WORKSHOPS start again for 2025 on Friday 21st February which is half term for Gloucestershire schools. This event will be about Buzz Club and Bug Identification. Please book, using the BGS email address and let us know your child’s age, so we have appropriate resources ready. breamgardeningsociety@gmail.com
Saturday 22nd February, 12.30 pm to 3.30pm. Yorkley Community Centre. Free entry.
FOREST OF DEAN SEED SWAP & SHOP
Seeds, advice, seasonal produce, tool sharpening, refreshments, and a short presentation on the benefits of wildflowers in the garden.
Seeds will be available to swap or purchase for a suggested donation.
If any members have seeds that they would like to donate to the swap, please bring them to the AGM. Alternatively, just bring along your seeds to swap on the day.
BGS will be having an information table at the event.
If anybody would like to help at the swap, please get in touch.
TENDER SHOOTS GARDEN CLUB
Password ‘spud’ Private Login – Tender Shoots Garden Club Network (Please remember that this password, and the associated discounts, are only valid for BGS members.)
Follow this link to this month’s Zoom talks. Programme – Tender Shoots Garden Club Network
Don’t forget that Tender Shoots also gives you discounts at a number of seed companies – login to find out more.
NOXON FARM
Thanks to a generous grant from the Woodland Trust, Noxon Farm is excited to announce our tree-planting project and we need your help to make it happen. You will be part of building a new agroforestry system and learn about principles of agroforestry. Starting 25th January 2025 – 9th February 2025, we’ll be planting trees at Noxon Farm for a two-week period—and we’d love for you to join us.
This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about agroforestry, meet like-minded people and contribute to a greener future for generations to come. No experience is needed, just enthusiasm and a willingness to literally dig in.
Come for a few hours, a day, or a few days…. Every helping hand makes a difference. You will be provided with a free hot lunch for your efforts and you will learn the planting process.
Tasks involved in the day (9.00am – 4.30pm light dependant)
Digging holes and planting – tree guarding – tying trees to stakes – mulching with woodchip.
To sign up or learn more contact us at breamgardeningsociety@gmail.com
Please let us know the day or days you can attend. Noxon Farm, (Trow Green)
St Briavels, Nr Lydney, Glos. GL15 6QR
WHAT IS ON ELSEWHERE…..
Saturday 1st February 11am to 4pm Bryngwyn Manor, Raglan
https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/garden/7666/bryngwyn-manor
Snowdrops and hellebores. Tea and cake in front of the fire.
BGS visited Bryngwyn Manor a couple of years ago and Louise was a very hospitable host.
Adult entry £5 in aid of the nursing charities supported by NGS. Please book tickets in advance.
3/5
Saturday 8th February: 10am to 1pm
Monmouth Seed Swap, Bridges Centre, Monmouth
Sunday 16th February, : 11am to 1pm
Plant and Jumble Sale, Westbury Parish Hall, Westbury-on-Severn
Wye Valley Sculpture Garden, Tintern – 1pm to 4pm. Snowdrop Open Days
Sunday 2nd February, Friday 7th February, Saturday 8th February, Sunday 9th February
Wye Valley Sculpture Garden, Tintern. Wye Valley Sculpture Garden
In this 3 acre garden there are over 80 different varieties on display and over 30 of those varieties will be for sale. Hot drinks and cake available.
Adult entry £9.00. Pay on the gate.
So that’s about it for now. I hope to see you at the AGM and it would be good if you can make it to at least some of our events.
Take care, stay warm and dry. Don’t worry about the gardening, the work will wait until you are more inspired.
Margaret
February 2025
MENU AND BOOKING FORM available on website in members’ area and at the AGM