Chairman’s Message 2019

CHURCH CROOKHAM GARDEN SOCIETY

I am constantly amazed at just how quickly the months fly past albeit that is probably a symptom of getting older. Last year we had a record-matching heatwave that sucked much of the life out of the ground through to October bringing low yields in the vegetable garden but did wonders for wellestablished fruit trees. November onwards has seen heavy rain bringing our lawns back to life, but with little respite many of us would have found it difficult to do the final cut that closes out the year. I
guess on the plus side with the dryness for much of the year and the recent rain, our mowers won’t
be needing a lot of close season maintenance.

Our back garden is still recovering from the extensive work we had done from 2013 to 2017 but the front is well established with a Malus, Bramley and an unknown red flesh apple. A specimen blue spruce continues its growth and whilst beautiful, it is a challenge keeping the pathway to the front door accessible. The borders are full with geraniums, roses, hellebores and hostas which are complimented by the spring bulbs – daffodils, snowbells and tulips. With the addition of a new boundary fence we have planted three ceanothus which haven’t exactly taken off due to seasonal conditions.

The wisteria has continued to sprawl all over the front of the house and only brutal pruning has kept it from ripping the tiles off of the roof, although we have managed to tease it across the new extension. The front garden provides a mixed welcome to visitors and is constant source of pleasure on our return home. Possibly a little pretentious to feature our garden but, in my defence, we are immensely proud of it and I wanted to encourage our members to think about their own. Please e-mail Liz with items we could feature and I could include your article in next year’s handbook.

Last year the society has welcomed a new trading secretary, treasurer and show secretary. So we welcome Mike Speed, Roger Greenhalgh and Peter Edwards whilst bidding a farewell to John Delve, Sue Meek, Alison Cooper and Pat Neild with thanks for their fantastic efforts without which the society may not have survived.

We continue to look for volunteers and I would urge you to get in touch.