| DENTON and
DISTRICT CHRYSANTHEMUM AND DAHLIA SOCIETY
Click here to return to => Denton
Society entry
2010 WINTER NEWS LETTER
Dear Member,
The start of 2010 is just upon us and we are immediately covered in 7
inches of snow! Weather forecasters tell us that it is the longest cold
spell for nearly 30years with temperatures forecast to fall tonight in the
Tameside area to minus 7 Centigrade. We can but hope that your greenhouse
heating system whether it be gas electric or paraffin maintains that warm
environment to keep our over wintering stock alive and well.
At the Society plot the first batch of
chrysanth cuttings went in on 5th January, indicative of the fact we are
intent on rectifying last years disappointing results. Further rootings
should ensure a good supply of surplus plants in March of both disbuds and
sprays. The dahlia tubers will be unearthed from their winter quarters
under the polytunnel this weekend and will join the chrysanth stools on
the heated benches.
To whet the appetite for the year ahead
our winter programme of events has been arranged and details of this years
guest speakers are attached. New speakers are becoming increasingly
difficult to find but I think that this year we pushed the boat out in
arranging three guest speakers who are at the top of the tree in their
relevant subjects. In particular I would mention the proprietors of
Chrysanthemums Direct from Knutsford who have accepted our invitation for
the 26th January 2010 meeting. They have not, as far as I am aware, given
any talks in the area before and as they are moving into the production
and sale of exhibition chrysanthemum varieties, having previously only
produced cut flower types, it should be a very interesting evening. They
are also renowned for their spectacular trade displays of chrysanths at
the major shows such as Tatton, Harrogate etc and I am sure that these
will form part of the evening's presentation. This meeting was originally
planned for 19th January but had to cancel at short notice hence the new
date.
Barry Smith of Tarporley and Don
Sutcliffe from Whiston should also be very interesting and informative
evenings talking on dahlias and gladioli respectively.
As always there is free admission for
both members and guests. Yours truly will be repeating last year's basket
planting demonstration at the April meeting. All meetings commence at
8.00pm at the Denton Conservative Club on Manchester Road and free
refreshments are served in the interval.
Attendance at our monthly meetings has
fallen over the last couple of years and, on occasion, the numbers present
have not justified the time, effort and cost put in by the committee and
speaker on the night and I would ask that every attempt is made to attend
these evenings so as to justify inviting these top class speakers to
Denton.
A copy of the diary dates for the rest of
the year is also attached so that the show dates etc. can be put in your
diaries and calendars.
Subscriptions are due as of 1st January
and can be paid at the cultural meetings or at the greenhouse. Roy Elliott
has taken on the responsibility as Ken Doggett is temporarily indisposed.
Membership is still £2.00 per year which must represent exceptional
value, especially in the light of increases in postal charges alone.
Plants of chrysanths, dahlias and summer
trailing/bedding plants will be available in the coming months and a visit
to the greenhouse at the Wilton allotments is recommended to let us know
what your requirements are. Early to mid April should also be the best
time to come to see the display of daffodils display with over 3500 bulbs
of some 300 varieties in full bloom.
The Spring Show held in conjunction with
Haughton Green Garden Society goes from strength to strength and this year
it is hoped that even more members will participate especially in the
daffodil bulb sweepstake competition. A copy of the rules and classes for
the sweepstake are enclosed and if anyone still has not got their bulbs
there are five lots left at the green house available on a first come
first served basis at £4 per pot of 6 bulbs (incidentally, ready potted
and growing).
Financially 2009 was a good year for the
Society with grants being received from a number of sources that enabled
the Society to stage all the years' events. Members will be pleased to
know that the Society has applied for a grant from the newly established
Tameside M.B.C. Community Chest initiative that provides local groups and
associations with funding for specific projects from money the council
have raised from waste recycling.
The schedule for the Spring show will
hopefully be available at the January 26th meeting. It is also good to
hear that Jim Kirk's wife, Irene, is making good progress in her recovery
from her recent fall. We all look forward to seeing Jim back in the near
future.
I have heard in the last couple of days
that the North West Counties shows will this year be held in Denton at the
West End Working Mens Club. Full details later on in the year. Also the
Tameside Show will be held this year in Stalybridge on 4th September.
Following discussions with the organiser the chrysanth and dahlia classes
have been revamped to make it more attractive for growers
This brings you up to date with the
society's events for the coming year and both the committee and I look
forward to seeing you at one or all of the events during the year.
Best regards
Hon. Secretary
Affiliated to:-
National Chrysanthemum Society
National Dahlia Society,
N.C.S. (Northern Group),
North West Counties Chrysanthemum Society and League,
National Vegetable Society.
|