STROUD Gardening Club welcomed Mr Keith Dickenson and his father Mr Jim Dickenson to their April meeting to give a talk on bee keeping.

Mr Dickenson senior started keeping bees in the late 1950s, and has built up the business over his working life, and the business is now in the capable hands of his son, Keith.

Keith gave a very interesting insight into the life story of the bees up to harvesting the honey.

An actual hive, and supporting equipment was brought along to demonstrate the talk and the audience was extremely interested in the subject.

A great question and answer session followed, and a sale of different types of honey was held.

Chairperson, Sharon Pellatt, thanked both for a very interesting talk, and the audience applauded their thanks.

Refreshments followed, including cakes made by Sharon and Jan, and the raffle was drawn.

The next meeting is a visit to Pound Farm for a demonstration of preparing and filling hanging baskets on Wednesday, May 18.

Stroud Gardening Club are organising a coach trip to Wall End Nursery, Leominster, Hereford on Wednesday, June 8, and the coach is not yet full, so if anyone is interested in joining us, please contact Secretary Jan Davis on 01453 757952 for full details.

This should be a nice summer day out, weather permitting, and this nursery specialises in Salvias and Abutilons (also known as Chinese Lanterns).