At the beginning of the December meeting the Chairman Neil Ferguson announced the sad news of the death of Lallie Cox in November. Together with her husband Andy they founded the Society over 40 years ago.

Glyn Jones followed with his talk entitled ‘New Place Gardens, Stratford. He had left his position as Head Gardener at Hidcote for a similar post at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust overseeing four gardens, Ann Hathaway's Cottage, Mary Ardens House, Halls Croft and New Place.

He is anxious that each garden will have its own identity with New Place becoming a Physic Garden since Shakespeare’s daughter Susannah lived there with her husband Dr John Hall.

The birthplace needs much replanting, replacing invasive perennials such as Golden Rod and giving more structure especially in Winter. Ann Hathaway's is to have its flower borders cleared of long-standing weeds on a three year rolling programme. Mary Ardens is already a farm and will remain as such.

Thus far, New Place has had the most radical and exciting changes and is now open to the public again. Archaeologists investigated the area before work on the garden began, divers found a six feet depth of coins in the well. Some of the notable features in the garden include the new gatehouse on its original site, one hornbeam planted for each of Shakespeare’s plays, a globe of the world in Shakespeare's time, a hawthorn tree cast in bronze and a knot garden. The whole garden is spectacularly lit at night. Many members will be anxious to visit the new developments at New Place, I am sure.

A Holly and Ivy arrangement was the subject of the monthly competition.

Results: first S.Savage; second A.Haines and third F.Freeman.

Next meeting 7:30pm at the Crawford Hall on Thursday January 19 when Pam Collins will talk on ‘ A Caribbean Garden’.

New members always welcome, Admission £3. Further details from 01789 268974 or www.bidfordgardens.com