OUR meeting in July was an evening visit to 1 Church Cottage, Defford. The garden of this 400 year old cottage has been thirty years in the making, resulting in a peaceful oasis well worthy of a visit. The thoughtful design culminating in a series of secret, narrow gardens like adjoining rooms, guiding but never ending, drawing the visitor through shady areas to light, to water and back again. The gardens as a whole are a series of rooms flowing one to the other, highlighting either a Japanese or English influence. Specimen trees such as Blue Spruce, and purple bark Maple pleased the eye . Small but discreet seating areas enabled everyone to sit and ponder each of the quintessentially English gardens and its secret areas. The evening concluded with tea and cakes provided by our hosts, both of which were much appreciated.

Our August meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 23 at 7.30pm and is the Annual Summer Show, judging to commence at 8pm. Schedules have been issued, but further copies are available from committee members. We hope everyone will raid their gardens for their best fruit and vegetable specimens, at the same time perfecting their baking skills. We look forward to seeing you all.

SUE STAYT