Programme 2026-27
LAST MEETING REPORT:
Over 40 members welcomed Janine Thompson who gave us a detailed and entertaining, illustrated talk on Symphotrichums (Asters or Michaelmas Daisies to you and me!) and other late flowering plants, to add colour to the autumn border. We learned of their history, propagation, association with other planting styles, and where to see fine collections, including those at Picton Castle. Members had the opportunity to buy some of Janine's well established plants, with lots of autumn colour on show. A very enjoyable evening finished with a vote of thanks from Jenny Matthews, the raffle and welcome refreshments.
A reminder: If you would like to join our Members WhatsApp group the link is on the FORMS page
NEXT MEETING:
Wednesday 11 November at 7.30pm
'Bee-keeping for Beginners' with Rob Wilson
Rob lives in Abercych and runs a commercial honey enterprise, Cych Valley Honey Farm. They produce local honey, queen bees, nucleus hives, beeswax and much more. A family business with three generations celebrating 60 years of beekeeping. A full guide and description of the art of setting up and running your own hives. Bee Products for sale.
Our annual Seed Swap. Don't forget to bring your seeds and take some away! It is also the Deadline for handing in your Kings Seed Orders to obtain the usual 50% reduction in flower and seed vegetable packs. Don't forget your question paper slips for January's Gardeners Question Time!
Teas: Tim Percival & Michele James Plant Stall: Sue Sturges & Beverley Morris
Saturday 12 December at 1.30pm
Christmas Social
Our annual social, details to follow soon. Do you like a challenge? Secret Santa? Super Dooper Raffle? Amazing Entertainment? This year we are asking you to bring a sharing plate for you and your guest, if applicable, and your own drinks. The club will provide tea. coffee and soft drinks as usual.
Wednesday 13 January 2027 at 7.30pm
Gardeners Question Time with Jenny, Richard, & Roger
Roger Spencer, from Trefedyn, will be joining club members, Richard Cain (formerly of Penlan Perennials) and Jenny Matthews (formerly of Moorland Cottage Plants), to answer all your questions. Compered by Roger Bushell.
Teas: Gillian Morley & Carole Kenny Plant Stall: Sue Sturges & Beverley Morris
Wednesday 10 February at 7.30pm
'Designing a Garden' with Andy Cutter
Club and committee members, Andy and Lesley Cutter are in the process of creating a new garden at Lower Kings, Boncath. Having trained as a Garden Designer in 2017, Andy has designed over 50 gardens for private clients. His talk will give an overview of the design process from a professional perspective and will include useful tips on garden layouts that members will be able to incorporate into their own gardens. Examples of designs will be included in the presentation and be available to view on the evening.
Teas: Liz North & Katie Rutter Plant Stall: Sue Sturges & Beverley Morris
Wednesday 10 March at 7.30pm
'The Adventures of a Seed Detective' with Adam Alexander
I have a passion for growing fruit and vegetables, which I have been doing since I was a little kid. I am a filmmaker, writer and seed saver. My interest in discovering rare, endangered but above all, delicious vegetables from around the world began as the result of meeting a remarkable lady in a vegetable market in Donetsk, Ukraine in the late eighties whilst making a documentary series there. I write about that life-changing encounter in my book The Seed Detective. So began a pursuit for deliciousness and a journey of discovery and learning about the social and cultural relationships we have with what we grow and eat that I have been on for the best part of 35 years. Today I have a library of over 500 varieties of vegetables I have been given and collected in my travels around the world which I love to sow, savour and share. Seeds to share and books at a 25% discount.
Teas: Plant Stall:
Wednesday 14 April at 7.30pm
AGM and Social Evening
Teas: Plant Stall:
Wednesday 12 May at 7.30pm
'Aberglasney: A Calendar Year' with Nigel McCall
Nigel writes: Photography has always been part of my life and became a real passion from 2003. Wildlife and Landscapes being my interest both at home and away. From 2014 I have photographed almost exclusively at Aberglasney Gardens and My book ‘Aberglasney Gardens – a calendar year’ was published in March 2022. The talk is 75 minutes long and it shows the garden from January through to December and includes sections in spring. summer and autumn which are set to music.
The show is designed to be both entertaining and inspirational. Nigel won Landscape Photographer of the Year in 2013 and International Garden Photographer of the Year in 2017. He has won many awards since and we are in for a visual treat. Nigel will have books for sale.
Teas: Plant Stall:
Wednesday 9 June at 7.30pm
'Preserving the Harvest' with Peni Ediker
Peni runs Swn y Coed, a One Planet smallholding in West Carmarthenshire, where they grow food and community, selling seasonal vegetables, and flowers, whilst running practical courses on bio-fertilisers, biochar, compost making and self-sufficiency skills. They offer placements to excluded young people and training for teachers and university lecturers. In this talk Peni will take us through the many different methods available to preserve our harvests.
Teas: Plant Stall:
Wednesday 14 July at 7.30pm
'Veteran Trees of the Teifi Valley' with Doug Lloyd
Doug is an ecologist and Wildlife Trust officer for Ceredigion with the Wildlife Trust of South & West Wales. We will be looking at the location and benefits of ancient trees found along the course of the Teifi Valley, many of which are rare and are on private land.
Teas: Plant Stall:
Wednesday 11 August at 6.30pm
Visit to Bedwen Plants, Henllan SA44 5TD with optional Wine Tasting
A chance to visit a working nursery with a 'behind the scenes' tour of the parts visitors don't normally see! This can be followed by a Wine Tasting at Celtic Wine (right next door) at £5.95 per person. The nursery visit is free (although Darren would like to sell some plants!) A sign up form will be available and places will be limited.
We are also proposing to privately visit some NGS gardens during the month. Although organised by the club the visits, by arrangement, require a minimum of 10 members and the use of shared transport. Normal NGS entry fees are payable. More details to follow
Wednesday 8 September at 7.30pm
TBC
Teas: Plant Stall:
Wednesday 13 October at 7.30pm
'Fabulous Fungi' with Geoff Dan
Geoff has written the most comprehensive book on European fungi foraging ever published in English, followed by a companion volume on edible wild plants and seaweeds. He moved to Wales to run a smallholding after the Covid epidemic and this will be a practical hands-on workshop, with Geoff bringing whatever fungi he has foraged in recent days. Members are invited and encouraged to bring their own fungi for identification. As an expert forager we will be guided by an his many years of knowledge and experience. His books will be available for sale.
Teas: Plant Stall:
Wednesday 10 November at 7.30pm
'Costa Rica' with Julian Cremona
Julian is a superb photographer, having published many books, both on his travels and the art of photography. He brings to life this small country in Central America, with its amazing wildlife and flora. Dense broadleaf, evergreen forests, palms, mangroves, mosses, orchids and tropical plants are home to monkeys, sloths, anteaters , snakes and iguanas. A visual treat and a fascinating country.
Teas: Plant Stall:
Wednesday 8 December at 7.30pm
'Christmas Social'
In a change to our traditional Saturday Christmas Social we are getting together on a Wednesday evening. Details to follow.
Wednesday 12 January 2028 at 7.30pm
'Soil Fertility - Improving your soil condition' with Darren Shipp
A welcome return of club supporter, Darren Shipp of Bedwen Plants, Henllan, with his new talk exploring Soil Fertility- a look at the most effective ways to improve soil quality to grow the strongest plants. He will be exploring soil health, microbes and compost tea. Permaculture at its best!
Teas: Plant Stall:
Wednesday 9 February 2028 at 7.30pm
TBC
Teas: Plant Stall:
Wednesday 8 March 2028 at 7.30pm
TBC
Teas: Plant Stall:
Wednesday 12 April 2028 at 7.30pm
'AGM and Social Gathering'
In our 45th year as a club we will hopefully elect a team to take us forward to our Golden Jubilee.
Details to follow.
Teas: Plant Stall: