Coronavirus (COVID-19)
I’m sure that I do not have to remind you what a turbulent year 2020 has been for everybody and I hope that you all remain safe and well in these difficult times. The immediate effect on the Society of the pandemic and subsequent restrictions was the cancellation of all meetings, shows, sales and trips except for the meetings in January and February.
One interesting aspect of the Covid-19 situation has been the increase in the use of the Zoom program for communicating and I was very pleased to arrange a presentation by Adam Pasco, journalist, author and broadcaster, in lieu of our scheduled September meeting at the village hall. It proved to be an outstanding talk about “How to Create a Garden for Every Season” accompanied by a very illustrative slide show. A further very interesting, entertaining and informative talk entitled "Shrubs are Boring - Really? Are You Quite Sure?" was given by Nancy Stevens all the way from Glasgow! As it is extremely unlikely that we will be able to hold the Society’s meetings at the village hall until April 2021 at the earliest Zoom presentations have been arranged for February and March as noted in the "Coming Up" section below.
The Society meets at the Brabourne & Smeeth Village Hall on the last Friday of the month at 7:15 for 7:30pm; a guest speaker, coffee/tea and a friendly, informal setting for gardeners to learn from each other. Everyone is welcome no matter how green their fingers. The village hall is on the corner of Lees Road and Manor Pound Lane in Brabourne Lees - a wheelchair friendly venue with ample parking. The Society arranges occasional day trips to some of the best gardens in the South East - in recent years we have visited RHS Wisley, Beth Chatto Gardens, Great Comp Garden, Hyde Hall, Hadlow Horticultural College, Downderry Lavender Nursery, Wakehurst to name a few.
Coming up
As noted above meetings and functions for January, February and March 2021 have been cancelled but we have two Zoom presentations booked as follows:
Friday February 26, 7:15 for 7:30 pm "Popular House Plants - Care, Cultivation & Health Benefits" by Christine Bartlett
Friday March 26, 7:15 for 7:30 pm "Scottish Spring" by Andrew Lapworth
Full details for accessing the presentations will be circulated a few days before each event.
If you would like more information please contact our chairman, Brian Sanders, on 01303 813 451 or email brabournesandy@icloud.com
With regard to the Plant Sale scheduled for Saturday 16 May please continue to sow seeds, plant up, etc.; if the sale can't be held in May it is hoped that we will be able to stage it later in the year.
Coming up
The Society’s next meeting is on Friday 28 February when Darren Everest will tell us about his life in the world of sweet peas.
Darren has been growing these beautiful flowers for over 25 years and has won numerous awards including six consecutive golds at the Kent County Show.
It is a lifetime hobby and passion for him and he will be sharing ideas, tips and things that have worked for him in growing and showing sweet peas
© 2019-2020 Brabourne and Smeeth Gardeners' Society
