Wollaston Gardeners Guild

The members held their monthly meeting at Stourbridge Institute on November 20 which was chaired by Jim Baker. He opened the meeting by welcoming both existing, new members, visitors, and the speaker for the evening .

Helen Tromans The guild welfare secretary addressed the meeting and had the sad task of announcing that two of our members had passed away at the end of October within a few days of each other. The first being Brian James, husband of Jenny, who at the funeral we heard of their wonderful life together and his many varied achievements.

Next was Adam Greathead, son of Gay and John, our youngest ever member and also our youngest Chairman, who was tragically taken away at the very early age of 27, which was a devastating blow to all who knew him. Adam had achieved a great deal in his short life, and had been appointed Head Gardener to John Massey's garden at Ashwood Nursery, John is naming a new part of his garden, which Adam was working on, in his memory, and this will be opened in February. We were very blessed to have had Adam in our Guild so let us not forget him. A minutes silence was then observed in their memory.

President Eric Southall mentioned that on November 11 there was the autumn supper, which was excellent and enjoyed by all who attended, and thanked Pat Hassall, assistant social secretary, for organising it.

The speaker for the evening Rob Potterton, came along from Lincolnshire and gave a talk about the development of his alpine nursery over the years. It was started by his father and a partner, and over the years how he became more and more involved, achieving Gold Medals at Chelsea Flower Show. He now runs a thriving business with a vast range of unusual alpine plants from around the world. Jim Baker thanked him for his most interesting talk and the members also gave their thanks in the usual way.

Jim closed the meeting, wished everyone a safe journey home, and hoped everyone had enjoyed the evening.

The group meets on the third Monday of each month at The Stourbridge Institute at 7 for 7.30pm. For further details phone 01384 828654.