IT certainly was steaming but that didn’t prevent over 130 people coming to Bishampton’s Open Garden’s event on Sunday, June 18.

Visitors from Birmingham, Kidderminster and even Norfolk (!) enjoyed the ten, very varied gardens on offer, including a beekeeper’s haven, traditional and landscaped plots of all shapes and sizes.

The Master Composters were kept busy giving advice, and the shuttle bus was fully occupied ferrying people up and down the village to ensure everyone saw the most they could – including sixty year old Tilly the Tortoise. Acres of sticky ginger, chocolate, almond bakewell, coffee, Victoria and lemon drizzle cakes were consumed alongside very welcome cups of tea, coffee and squash.

Pete Chamberlain said the event had been a ‘record year’ and it was anticipated that the Club would be making sizeable donations to the two nominated charities – Midlands Air Ambulance and the Evesham Greyhound and Lurcher Trust.

At the last meeting, the audience were treated to a fascinating and informative demonstration by expert Toni Smith of how to do floral exhibits for shows based on the 2016 Summer Schedule. It certainly gave us some useful tips on how to approach this year’s event with renewed vigour!

Our next event features BBC presenter and author, Bob Flowerdew talking about The Perfumed Garden. Tickets are on sale now at £15 for visitors, £10 for members. Email info@bishamptongardeningclub.org.uk, telephone 01386 462527 or 07854 362318.

LESLEY MILLER