CHAIRMAN, Jonathan Collins, began by saying how the recent rainfall had provided much relief for all gardeners, a view shared by the audience. Information was given out about day trips to some lovely gardens and members and guests were invited to sign up for these. On June 21st there is an ‘Open Gardens’ event with six Mickleton gardeners inviting club members and guests to look round their gardens. The event takes place from 6 p.m. and maps will be available showing the locations of the gardens.

Bob Brown was the speaker for the evening and he gave a very entertaining and humorous talk, with accompanying slides. Bob Brown is a well-known plantsman who runs a nursery in Badsey where you can buy some excellent plants. The title of the talk was ‘Easy and Unusual Perennials’ and Bob began by saying that ‘rare and unusual’ was because the plants were no bl**** good and were likely to die! Information was given, interspersed with funny anecdotes, about easy and unusual plants which could be relied on to provide interest and colour without dying at the end of the season. One anecdote involved a story about an infamous plant breeder who had written to her future daughter in law laying down rules about how she should dress, how she should behave and generally lead her life. This was passed on through the press and various other media and the plants woman became well known for all the wrong reasons!

The evening ended with a vote of thanks to Bob Brown, announcement of the competition winner and drawing of the raffle.

SANDRA REED