Wollaston Gardeners Guild

The members held their monthly meeting at Stourbridge Institute on April 16 which was chaired by June Bowkley who opened the meeting by welcoming both existing, new members, visitors, and said the speaker for the evening was Heather Key from Fibrex Nurseries near Stratford-on-Avon.

The president Eric Southall addressed the meeting and said although the number of entries for the monthly competition were down, the standard was still high. He announced that some of the proceeds from this years Presidents Plant Sale, would be supporting Dudley Stroke Association and would be held on May 12 and 13, and Eric asked members to grow extra plants to bring along for sale.

Pat Hassell assistant social secretary reminded members that the evening meal at Basils in Kinver on May 1, would be 6.30pm for 7pm, Pat was also taking deposits for the visit to Langdale Garden on June 14.

The speaker for the evening Heather Key from Fibrex Nurseries, who specialise in pelargoniums, hedera, begonias and hardy ferns, bought along a wide selection of ferns, which she described in detail, giving the correct locations, type of soil and propagation methods. Some can be raised from spores, and others only by division. This was a very well presented talk on this specialist subject.

She was thanked by June, on behalf of the members, who also showed their appreciation. The first prize winners in the monthly show were as follows: 5 - Purple sprouting broccoli J. knight, 3 - Tulips M Grice, 3 - Multi headed daffodils M Hodgin, 1 - Foliage pot plant M Grice, 8 - Pieces shortbread A. Robinson,1 - Savoury flan U Langley, Photograph single flower H. Tromans.

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

The next meeting will be held on May 14, the talk will be "Colour throughout the seasons" by Simon Gulliver

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