Hilltop Gardening Club: Christmas decorations with Norah Kennedy, a New Year lunch and the AGM

AT THE Club’s December meeting members learned how to make simple but very effective Christmas decorations from willow.

Norah Kennedy made a variety of small decorations during the evening which members were then able to make themselves.

Several members had a go whilst others watched their creations come to fruition, enjoyed the light refreshments and each other’s company.

At the end of the meeting the decorations that Norah had made earlier were raffled for Club funds.

In January the Club had a change from their normal New Year evening social by having a lunch instead.

This proved popular with members who enjoyed a two or three course lunch at The Ship Inn in Brimscombe.

Their only complaint – the servings were rather on the large side but the food was excellent.

A venue for another New Year I’m sure.

February saw the Club’s AGM when the current Chairman stepped down from the role.

Margaret Headen had been Chairman for over ten years but felt it was time for another keen gardener to take over.

The baton has been passed to Ruth Fraser.

Margaret thanked all her committee who had supported her over the past year as well as in the past.

She felt sad that few new people put themselves forward to help run the Club.

The more people involved the lighter the roles become.

Members were needed as secretary and to run the website and to organise the Club’s Annual Show which was held in abeyance until someone could take over.

Margaret was thanked for her work over the years by Ruth.

Following the AGM members were given an interesting talk by John Wilson, the General Secretary of the Glos Federation of Garden Societies.

The Federation looks after the insurance for its members and also provides a list of excellent speakers.

John gave a presentation which covered the history as well as its current work.

It was a surprise to hear that the Club has member groups from surrounding counties as well as Glos as there are no such Federations within those counties.

When the Federation started early in the last century it looked after pig breeders for a number of years until its role expanded.

The Federation usually has stands at the Malvern Shows but also provides small bursaries to school clubs for equipment etc.

The programme secretary, Diana Rosenberg, had put together an interesting programme for the coming year and copies were available at the meeting.

Members were reminded that their subscriptions were due at the next meeting on Tuesday, March 1, when Guy Jones would talk on his work with the renowned gardener, Piet Oudolf.

Guests are welcome to any of our meetings, held between October and July, at Eastcombe Village Hall on the first Tuesday of the month.

Membership and other information can be obtained from Margaret Headen on 01453 884869 or our website – hilltopgardeningclub.org.uk