24th August 2023 • The HERALD • Page 47 v THE HERALD - Proud to be part of your communityv ✿ DOWN THE GARDEN PATH ✿ RYAN FENCING Quality Fencing & Gates 07769 706516 • 023 8084 1203 www.ryan-fencing.co.uk • Find us on Facebook • All types of trees expertly felled, topped & pruned • Stump Grinding • Hedges pruned & trimmed • Lawns Laid • Fencing & garden work • Rubbish Clearance • Patios & drives jet-washed • Patios & Drives resurfaced or replaced RegisterdWaste Carrier Licence CBDU374716 H Fully Insured H Evening: 01794 522092 Daytime Mobile: 07946 513633 Email: treefellers@gmx.com Telephone Richard 023 8084 9637 | Grass Cutting | Edges Trimmed | Hedge Trimming | PRESSURE WASHING OF DECKS, PATIOS & DRIVES | FENCE & SHEDS PAINTED QuickSmart Garden Services Professional & Reliable Blackfield Gardening Club are Closing Their Shed Door by Patricia Hedley-Goddard It is with sadness that we announce the closure of Black eld Gardening Club. e Club has been in existence from at least 1978, and since then has been a vibrant, thriving and friendly club. During these past 45 years it has welcomed many members and presenters. Although a gardening club, it has enjoyed presentations covering not just gardening in its many variations, but travel, military, environmental, knitting, child welfare, animal welfare, and many other subjects. For example the Reverend Timbrell, in year 2000, talked about the history of medicine, wine and herbs. In 1995 an interesting presentation was given reference Longstock Water Garden, and more recently a presentation on the ora and fauna of the Galapagos Islands. e nal presentation was given by Colin van Ge n entitled ‘Lawrence Before and A er Arabia’, which was a brilliant and detailed insight into the lesser publicised life of the famous hero. roughout its long existence, the club has changed location on several occasions. Originally meeting at Black eld Community Centre (no longer in existence), then for many years at St. Francis Church, Langley, and more recently in the Good Shepherd Church at Holbury. For many years Gilly Drummond OBE DL VMH has performed the role of President, and on 11th July this year hosted the annual Garden Party in her beautiful garden at Stanswood Farmhouse. e meeting was opened by our Chairlady Tricia Beard who has performed the role for more than 30 years. During that period, in conjunction with the club committee, Tricia has organised a variety of activities for the club, such as day trips by coach, visits to local gardens of interest, the annual Christmas luncheon, quizzes and garden parties, and co ee mornings. So, WHY is this vibrant club closing? It is due to several reasons most of which have been experienced by many local small clubs who have closed their doors in recent years. Much is due to the current social and economic environment. e overall age of the group is increasing and the younger generation is not really interested, or have no time in their busy lives. Some of the members prefer not to drive at night to the meetings, especially in the winter, or their health is failing and they are nding it increasingly di cult to remain mobile. Additionally, the cost of hiring presenters has risen quite signi cantly, plus many presenters are no longer on the circuit and no new ones are coming along. e Club wished to, and has, nished on a nancial plus basis, therefore the remaining funds will be allocated to four LOCAL charities. e Committee agreed to allocate some funds to Black eld Horticultural and Cra Show which is an Annual event held at the Royal British Legion Club in Black eld, e Solent Rescue based at Lepe Country Park, the Bereavement service ‘Living A er Loss’ based in Black eld, and the Air Ambulance based at Adanac Park. e President Gilly Drummond, Tricia Beard and the Committee wish to thank all club members and visitors who have supported and joined us over the years, and wish them every happiness in the future. HYTHE FLOWER CLUB Blackfield Flower Club On 13th July, Hythe Flower Club welcomed Sue Wall to demonstrate ‘Reuse and Recycle’ which was certainly thought-provoking for the members. Reusing water bottles, glued together and lled with water, ‘Rustic Coronation Celebration’ returned memories of the coronation. Pittosporum, lisianthus, red Naomi and white Avalanche roses and wheat, sprayed silver was a very striking arrangement. Flowers from a Christmas wreath, dried and sprayed, and Agra-wool - a sustainable, natural foam was used. Bells-of-Ireland, pink carnations, cobnuts, dried delphiniums and alliums completed the design. e addition of twinkling lights posed the question ‘Who Believes in Fairies?’. Originally from Jersey, ‘Corbière Lighthouse’ inspired Sue’s next design. A basket covered with bark and shells and containing Agra-wool was soon lled with delphiniums, blue hydrangeas, white stocks and chrysanthemums, representing the island, sea and lighthouse. A box, reusing pallet boards and made by Sue’s husband was lled with sand. e inspiration for ‘Fi ies Elegance in Jersey Sand’ was of a time spent living at L’Etacq. Dried hydrangeas and bark was complemented with Senecio, Memory Lane roses, Rosemary and dried crocosmia sprayed with glitter which was very elegant. Memories of her daughter’s wedding and reusing a vase from the day itself - Sue had previously repaired the container which had been due to be discarded. is beautiful arrangement was soon lled with blue hydrangeas, sun owers and Avalanche roses, and again using Agra-wool. Hythe Flower Club enjoyed Sue’s visit and hope to welcome her again in the future. eir next meeting at Hythe and Dibden Parish Hall, is on Thursday 14th September, 7pm for 7.30pm for ‘Watch & Do’. With all materials provided (£6 for members) why not go along, Black eld Flower Club do not meet in August but, looking ahead to September, there will be a demonstration by Claire DeLemonge entitled ‘Kitchenalia’ on Tuesday 12th September at 2pm. Visitors are very welcome to go along to this friendly a ernoon club. A ra e for the demonstrated arrangements will be held at the end of the a ernoon and tea and biscuits will be served. A pleasant way to spend an a ernoon with the chance of going home with a ower arrangement. Meetings take place the second Tuesday of the month at the Royal British Legion Club, Exbury Road, Black eld, SO45 1XD. For more details please contact Jan Gordon on: 023 8084 4835. watch, do and take home your own arrangement! Email: hythe owerclub@ aol.com or call 07762 112198 for more details.
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