Our Meeting on Wednesday evening, 21st August, was our Annual General Meeting & Buffet Supper.
In his Annual Report, Chairman, Dennis Lewin, spoke of a very full year of speakers, evening visits, day-trips, social events and another lovely holiday and he paid tribute to our Officers and Committee for their dedication and he also thanked Sheila Little for inspecting our accounts. Holiday Organiser and Evening Visits Arranger, Alan Ashley, was standing down and, also, Secretary, Margaret Wright, who would, however, continue to serve as a Committee Member. Member, John Manning, gave a spontaneous vote-of-thanks to Alan for the wonderful holidays he had organised over the years, which many of us had enjoyed, including: Ireland, Holland’s “Floriade”, North Wales, North & South Devon, Cornwall, Norfolk, Kent & Sussex, Northumberland, West Midlands & Somerset, each holiday being arranged with meticulous attention to detail in every aspect. All other Committee Members were standing again and were elected as follows:- Chairman – Dennis Lewin, Vice-chairman – Ian Roberts, Secretary – John Manning, Treasurer – Jenny Smart, Evening Speakers’ Programme Arranger – Florence Mitchell, Joint Show Organisers: Ian & Connie Roberts, Evening Visits Organiser – Steve Smart, Daytrip Organiser: Jenny Smart, assisted by Ian Roberts, Media Officer: Christine Cooper, Committee Members: Pat Jones & Margaret Wright. After the close of formal business, Members enjoyed a generous Buffet Supper, prepared by the Committee.
On Sunday, 1st September, we held our 22nd Annual Produce Show in Bilsthorpe Village Hall, which looked colourful and resplendent with two hundred and twenty-two exhibits. The Show was organised jointly by Connie and Ian Roberts, assisted by the Committee and our judges were: Mr. and Mrs. P. Harding and Mr. and Mrs. K. Kerridge, who also kindly presented our trophies and awards, which were as follows:- Vegetables: Judges Award & Trophy – Stephen Smart – Leeks, Fruit: Judges Award & Trophy – Stephen Smart – Blackberries, Flowers: Judges Award & Trophy – Jean Manning – Dahlias, Flower Arrangement using Flowers & Foliage from own Garden: Judges Award & Trophy – Carol Orpwood, Mini Flower Arrangement: Judges Award & Trophy – Jean Manning, Flower Arrangement Illustrating a Song Title: Judges Award & Trophy – Margaret Wright – “Come Into the Garden, Maud”, Foliage Arrangement in Container of Choice: Judges Award & Trophy – Margaret Wright, Single Rose: Judges Award & Trophy – Connie Roberts, Stewpot Veg. Trophy – Julie Newman, Fruit Basket Trophy – Brian Newman, Cookery: Judges Award & Trophy – Jean Manning – Fruit Loaf, Preserves: Judges Award & Trophy – Julie Newman – Lemon Curd, Photo Trophy: “Bygones” – Jenny Smart – “Pit Headstocks”, Pleasley, Craft Trophy: Jean Manning – Brooch. “Best in Show”: Jean Manning – Dahlias. After the Presentation of Awards, produce was auctioned off with Chairman, Dennis Lewin, being our “Auctioneer”, assisted by Ian Roberts. £29.75 was raised. The Raffle, organised by Florence Mitchell, was then drawn with the first prizewinner being Kathleen Whitlam.
At our Meeting on Wednesday, 18th September, we welcomed three new Members. Chairman Dennis Lewin, introduced our speaker, Steven Routledge, from Caunton Floral Media, who gave us a comprehensive and informative talk on “Pruning”, including demonstrations. During and after the talk, Steven answered Members questions. During the course of the evening, information was given out about future events, including a Summer Holiday planned for May 2020 on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, visiting gardens and places of interest. For further details ring: 01623 – 617809.
Our Meeting on Wednesday evening, October 16th, will be a talk on the “National Gardens Scheme” with Peter Gardener at 7.30 pm in the Lounge at Bilsthorpe Welfare and all are welcome.