KIRTON AND FALKENHAM GARDENERS CLUB December meeting - Christmas Party – Thurs. 8th. December Church Hall 7.30pm - ‘ Bryan Thurlow – The Perennial Mr. Potter’. November meeting For our November meeting we welcomed back Matthew Tanton – Brown talking on ‘The Fragrant Garden Throughout The Year’. Matthew brought a whole range of plants and shrubs with him , some for every season of the year. Matthew is a brilliant and amusing speaker and can keep an audience’s attention while he describes the pros and cons of individual shrubs. His is a subtle mixture of plant expertise combined with amusing anecdotes. I am afraid the WI generally took some flack but our local members present took it all in good part and I was relieved at the end that his tyres had not been deflated He works at Rupert Eley’s ‘Place for Plants’ at East Bergholt, broadcasts on BBC’s Gardener’s Question Time and is a much sought after speaker – he is fully booked for 2017! The 65 members present also had the opportunity of purchasing plants and a chat with Matthew over refreshments. Place for Plants always worth a visit , see website for details. December meeting Thursday 8th. December is our Christmas party and this will be held in the Church Hall starting 7.30pm. Our speaker will be Bryan Thurlow, ‘The Perrenial Mr. Potter’. There is no charge to members who will not need a ticket. The charge for guests will be £5 and guest tickets can be obtained from Jenny. Jo and Alma are organising eats and Jenny and Hester will conjure up the punch. Debbie will be organising our grand draw for club funds and would welcome prizes which can be brought along on the night. So we look forward to a grand finale for 2016. If you can lend a hand with setting up be at the hall at 3.00pm. January 2017 meeting As this will be a combined December/January issue note that for our January meeting we will be back in our usual home at the village hall, - Thursday 12th. January, 7.30pm. Our speaker will be Nick Nicholson who is a tutor at Otley College and he will be speaking on garden design. 2017 programme Jenny has organised a great programme for us in the new year so make sure you get to the January meeting to renew your membership and get your membership card. The good news is that the committee have agreed that the membership fee stands at £8. Dobies seed catalogues The club is again using Dobies seeds for the 2017 season, and members qualify for 45% discount on seeds and 10% on other products. The new season catalogues are out and available through Ray Bignell on 448291. Tales from the Allotments As I write these notes we are experiencing the first cold spell of winter and the plots take on a different appearance . Crops still in the ground are beet, parsnips (yet to be harvested), leeks, celeriac and carrots, a record year for them with little sign of fly damage. One or two people have vacated and if you are interested in having a go contact Susan Harvey or myself for more details. Beginners are very welcome and you can grow what you like, veg, fruit or flowers. What is going on at the BBC? After the barbs at Gardeners World we are now told that changes are threatened at Autumn/Spring Watch where again the presenters are too white and middle class ! Lined up for the chop is poor old Martin Hughes- Games who not only is white and middle class but,even worse, is guilty of having a double barrelled name! Is it me?! Don’t forget that Roselea have got some plants to fill those gaps and let them know if you want to order some plug plants for next season. Finally as this is the last issue until Feb., a happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year to all gardening club members, allotment pals and all at Roselea Express. Roy Mallett 616