KIRTON AND FALKENHAM GARDENERS CLUB February meeting – Thurs. 9th. February – Dr. Ian Bedford ‘ Butterfly Gardening’ - Village Hall 7.30pm. Christmas meeting – Bryan Thurlow –‘ The Perennial Mr. Potter’ Bryan Thurlow came to our Christmas party in the guise of ‘ The Perennial Mr. Potter’ , a comic but poignant story of a Suffolk gardener. Born in 1900, the young Horace Potter spent all his working life as a full time gardener in a large Suffolk garden. Bryan combines passion for theatre with the story of the young man who dreams of restoring an old knot garden. Dressed for the occasion this was an amazing one hour stand up performance. Bryan, who lives at Clare, was a professional actor appearing in music halls sharing the stage with well known artists including Roy Hudd, and has been on TV – bit parts in Dad’s Army. His acting background shone through in a non stop performance which entertained the 70 members present. He still does am/dram and was treading the boards in panto at Sudbury over Christmas. Bryan stayed on to share festive refreshments with us and the evening ended with the Christmas draw. We have to thank Jenny and Hester for providing seasonal punch , and those who contributed food or draw prizes. Thanks to Debbie and co for organising the draw which raised £165 towards club funds. Also thanks to all who helped with setting up and clearing the hall – all done and dusted by 10.00pm! January meeting - cancelled February meeting – Thurs. 9th. Feb, Dr. Ian Bedford – ‘ Butterfly Gardening’ Village Hall 7.30pm. For our February meeting we welcome Dr. Ian Bedford of the John Innes Institute , Norwich who will be talking on the plight of the UK butterfly species and what we can do to encourage them into our gardens. Ian Bedford is a renowned speaker in great demand, and we expect a large audience so come early for this one. Also if you have not yet renewed your membership you can do so at this meeting, just bring £8 and receive your membership card with full details of the 2017 club programme which includes a very special summer outing, some great speakers, a summer garden party in Felixstowe and a very special guest for our Christmas party. Greenhouse - Available in Kirton , an aluminium greenhouse, 7’x 9’’ by 5’ 6’’ ( old money). You would need to dismantle and collect but no cost. If of interest let me know on 448616. Tales from the Allotments January is normally a quiet month on the plots but it is also a time for harvesting winter crops of parsnips, carrots, leeks, celeriac and brassicas. Parsnips are best after frosts and my favourite use is sliced and roasted in oil. We also see the first shoots of the year, Autumn sown broad beans, garlic, peas and onions and if like me you grow cut flowers daffodils are well through. Harvested in the Autumn my butternut squash have kept well and before Christmas we made some delicious squash soup with large African butternuts I have grown over the years, keeping my own seed. These monsters are ideal for soup making as they are as big as four or more standard Hunter or Hurricane UK varieties, have sweet , red flesh and a very small seed pod. My favourite soup. I always keep my own seed and if anybody would like to give them a go let me know. Still one or two vacancies on the plots, by the way. My Christmas RHS gold medal goes to the Copes for their wonderful display of lights in aid of the Children’s Hospice!