Note: If you would like to download a PDF version of this newsletter, please click here

President:  Tony Harper, 4 Darvills Meadow, Holmer Green, 01494 718180

Secretaries:  Terry and Val Owen, 4 Clementi Avenue, Holmer Green, 01494 256678

ANNUAL SHOW, Saturday 7th September 2024

Our Annual Show took place on 7th September. Given the extreme weather conditions during the summer, horticultural entries were always going to be challenging but, as it turned out, we had a reasonable number of exhibits. This was especially gratifying as a number of our major exhibitors were either absent or showing at other events on the same day. Overall, entries were up on 2023, largely due to more entries in the photographic and junior sections. The Village Society also had a stand to sell their recently-printed 2025 Calendar.

The judges were as diligent as ever and Tony and Janice Harper kindly worked hard, ably supported by Peter and Valerie Overall, to once again provide refreshments for the many visitors. As usual, I am grateful for the support of all those who helped with judging, stewarding, catering, certificate writing, setting up and clearing away. Without all their efforts we would not have a show and I give my huge thanks to them all.

Peter Williams is to be congratulated on his many wonderful horticultural successes. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Medal went, however, to Linda Meatyard as RHS rules prevent Peter from winning two years in a row. Brian Fisher, our resident horticulturist, was the winner of The Best Pot Plant for one of his superb succulents. Other winners in the floral and vegetable classes included Tony Harper and Jo Weber, who won the ‘much-desired’ Pumpkin Trophy and now gets to store it for a year! The battle of the giant marrows and pumpkins was a highlight, and we had to source new scales to carry out the weigh-ins!

The Domestic Challenge Trophy (for most points in the domestic classes) was awarded to Linda Meatyard, and Sue Edmunds won awards for her exhibits in the jam classes. Dave McMillan won the awards for most points in the domestic classes across the two 2024 shows and for the Best Domestic Exhibit (a savoury quiche). Annie Greatorex provided the best Apple Tart.

I was pleased to see successes for Rob Shed with two photography awards (Annual Show and 2024 overall) and Margaret James won the John Streeter Memorial Trophy for the best overall photo. The number of junior class entrants was well up on last year and Ethan Meatyard won the junior classes overall award, plus he helped the Meatyard family win the Rippington Family Cup for overall successes.

The Spring Show is planned for 5th April 2025 so please put that date in your diary and pick-up a show schedule from the Trading Store when they become available in mid-January. Remember entries can be horticultural, domestic, photographic or art.

To see some photos from the Show, taken by me and by James Cadle, download the PDF here.

Michael King

Show Secretary

shows@hgvpa.club

NEWS FROM THE TRADING STORE

The Trading Store season ended on 29th September and I would like to thank everyone who patronised it, or helped operate it, this year. It will reopen for the next gardening year on Sunday 5th January 2025.

Richard Chantler

Trading Store Manager

store@hgvpa.club

FUN QUIZ, Thursday 17th October

When the speaker booked for our October talk cancelled, Brian Fisher came up with a novel idea – why not stage a quiz instead. So, that’s what we’re doing and Brian has kindly offered to be our Quizmaster. There with be eight rounds, with five questions each, and only three will have a gardening theme.

You can take part as an individual, in pairs, or form small teams of up to four.

The quiz will start at our usual time of 7:45pm, and the venue is the Church Hall in Featherbed Lane. Please come along and support this fun event.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, Thursday 21st November

Our AGM takes place at the Church Hall in Featherbed Lane on Thursday 21st November, starting at 7:45pm. The various Officers will present their reports on 2024 and plans for 2025 and, of course, there will be elections for the Committee for 2025.

With regard to the Committee, David and Jan Cook will be standing down as our Treasurers after a five-year stint. They have introduced us to such innovations as internet banking and card payments, and managed our finances very efficiently. We thank them very much for their efforts on our behalf.

I am pleased to report that Jeannette Robertson – well-known to members for her frequently-winning entries in our Shows’ domestic classes – has volunteered to take over from David and Jan subject, of course, to members’ approval.

Some of us on your Committee have now been in post for a very long time. I, for example, have been in post for nearly 21 years now and Linda Meatyard and Richard Chantler were already there when I came on the scene. This year is the VPA’s 80th Anniversary and, if we are to have a chance of making it to 90 years, we really do need an injection of fresh thinking and new ideas from, ideally, some younger members. So please consider joining us to take the VPA forwards into the future.

Please come along to our AGM and have your say in the running of our Association.

James Cadle

Chairman

chair@hgvpa.club

MUSIC ON THE COMMON 2024

Many thanks to everyone who contributed to our presence at MOTC on Saturday 13th July – those who donated plants, helped to put up and dismantle our stall, and operated the stall during the day. We took more money than in previous years and have donated £100 to the Holmer Green Sensory Garden and another £100 to Christ Church Holmer Green to help with repairs to their roof. The event itself was great and we can't wait for MOTC 2025.