July 2024

Hello Everyone
Goodness how time flies! It doesn’t seem like a month since I did the last newsletter.
I hope you are all keeping well and enjoying your gardens. It’s certainly been a month of big contrasts, very cold and wet and then hot – though more comfortable for the last few days. I have a very small garden but must say I’m pleased with how colourful it all is at the moment. Roses, Sweet Peas and Syringa looking and smelling marvellous.

Watering While on Holiday.
At the request of a member, we are going to trial a ‘watering while on holiday’ service. This will operate from the Members’ area on the website to ensure that it is only accessed by members. No names or addresses will show, just the general location and dates watering is needed. Anyone wanting to have their garden watered can provide the garden location and dates and these will be entered onto the website so that other members can offer to help. If help is available, then both parties will be notified to sort out an arrangement between themselves. Initially this will operate in Bream and may then roll out to other locations. Further details will be available at the July meeting.

Tuesday 9th July – 7.30pm to 9.30pm –
Talk: Presentation of Flowers and Produce for local Shows by Roger Umpleby
St James Church, Centre, Bream. GL15 6HB. Map below. what3words ///frocks.keyboards.velocity

In order to avoid a possible clash with coverage of the Euros at Bream Sports Club, this talk will take place at the Church hall. This is the large stone building located between the church and the vicarage on the Coleford/Lydney Road B4231. The car park entrance is opposite the Co-op.
Roger Umpleby is a professional entomologist and horticulturalist with many years’ experience of consultancy and research with government and industry. Part-time RHS advisor. A keen gardener and a passionate plant and nature lover, he enjoys sharing his love and respect of the natural world with anyone prepared to listen.

Tuesday 16th July – 6.30pm to 7.00pm. – Visit to Cheryl Cummings’ Garden.
Meet at 11 The Gardens, Monmouth, NP25 3HF. Car shares available. See map below..

This visit was originally planned for the end of June but will now take place on the evening of 16th July 2024. Places are strictly limited, but we still have a few spaces available. Please book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Renowned garden designer, Cheryl Cummings, gave a very popular talk to the society earlier in the year, The Naturalistic Garden, and members were very keen to visit her garden in person. Cheryl aims to develop a beautiful space whilst retaining native species. Her garden is in the process of re-wilding to encourage native species and wildlife. A beautiful pond creates a very tranquil setting.
Visit her website to find out more. cherylcummingswildgardenwriting.co.uk
Full details are available on the booking form Cheryl Cummings’ Garden – Booking form and there is a map attached below. Alternatively, contact breamgardeningsociety@gmail.com or Diana on 07419 373254.

Saturday 20th July at 2.00pm- 5.30pm – Yorkley Flower and Vegetable Show
Please support Yorkley’s fifth annual show, either as a competitor or as a visitor. This is a small friendly local show at which Bream Gardening Society members had success last year. An opportunity to show off your early summer vegetables and flowers, also your home-made bakes, preserves and tipples. The full show schedule is available here. Yorkley Show 2024 – Class Brochure
Wednesday 31st July at 2.00pmto 4.00pm. Free Workshop for Young Gardeners at Bream Library. Places are limited so booking is essential breamgardeningsociety@gmail.com Plant Art – Flower pressing and leaf bashing. Learn about plant pigments.
Saturday 17th August – BGS Annual Flowers and Vegetable Show at Bream Sports Club. Schedules are available at some local shops or directly from BGS by request at our email address breamgardeningsociety@gmail.com Also via our usual website. Breamgardeners.net.
VOLUNTEERS: Last year we had a fantastic response from volunteers all anxious to make sure the show is its usual success. This year we are going to need those and more to keep ’the boat afloat’. There are a wide variety of jobs available both before, during and after the show. The easiest way to volunteer is to fill in this form: Volunteer for Bream Summer Show 2024. Alternatively, email Kathryn at breamgardeningsociety@gmail.com or volunteer at next week’s talk. Kathryn will be at the meeting on 9th July if you want to discuss options.
So that’s it for this month. Take care. Best wishes Margaret.