Thanks to Brigit Strawbridge for a lovely, engaging talk in February. We can now tell the difference between flies and bees, solitary and bumble bees, and enjoyed discovering that the bumblebees that you see asleep in the morning are the males – the females are out working! We had some bee friendly seeds and pollinator identification charts available on the evening, and we discussed options for building our own bee-hotels. Continue reading February Newsletter
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Bee Talk – 15th February
Bees & Flowering Plants
an illustrated talk by Brigit Strawbridge
Thursday 15th February 2018 at 7.30 p.m.
January newsletter
In 2017 we ventured into the topic of pollinators with a talk on Butterflies. At the AGM it was proposed that we continue the pollinator theme in 2018 by focussing on bees, so we have designed our 2018 programme around bees. We want you to come to the events, but also get involved, doing things to support bees and other pollinators. While the honey bee is an excellent pollinator, we want to focus on wild bees – bumble bees and solitary bees. You do know the difference don’t you? No? – then come along to our events to find out!
Continue reading January newsletter
Flower Show 2017
Well, what a great show we had this year. A massive “thank you” to everyone – you turned out in your hundreds and made all the hard work and angst worthwhile. And thank goodness for lovely weather – such a huge contrast with last year’s miserable showing of a day! Continue reading Flower Show 2017
Tips from Alex – August 2017
I seem to be starting each month’s contribution with a comment about the amount of rainfall we have been experiencing and this month is no different. July has seen large amounts of rainfall delivered in heavy doses combined with a drop in average temperatures. Apparently, this is due to The Jetstream being further south than one would ordinarily expect at this time of year. Let’s hope it decides to head north before too long. This change in rainfall and temperature has had a beneficial effect on the garden with all crops, vegetables and flowers growing really well. Continue reading Tips from Alex – August 2017
Tips from Alex – July 2017
I started off last month’s tips with a comment that we had received at last, some welcome rain and the impact that it had on my lawn. This month, I start with another welcome of much needed rain. The spell of extremely hot weather we have enjoyed in June has come to an end with more seasonally normal temperatures now being experienced. With temperatures over 30C my lawn has again suffered, showing many areas of scorched grass but this time, I fear it will take much longer to recover. Continue reading Tips from Alex – July 2017
Tips from Alex – June 2017
June is upon us and we have had, at last, some much needed rainfall which has not only filled my water buts but really smartened up my lawn which was starting to show serious signs of stress. Continue reading Tips from Alex – June 2017
Tips from Alex – May 2017
Well, it’s nearly May and the pace of gardening is picking up. The end of April has brought some quite cold weather with frosts on a few occasions which have affected the blossoming of my apple trees which will reduce the crop but as I write this, the forecast is looking quite promising with a return to the seasonal norm. Continue reading Tips from Alex – May 2017
Tips from Alex – April 2017
Here we are in April, the month I move into top gear, gardening wise. The weather promises to be kinder than of late and with British Summer Time we can all spend more time in the garden. It is the month where most sowing and planting occurs. Continue reading Tips from Alex – April 2017
Tips from Alex – March 2017
It’s the middle of March now and I have just recovered from jet lag having recently returned from New Zealand where, believe it or not, they have declared the agapanthus and the lupin to be pernicious weeds! It was still summertime over there; flowers were in full bloom and vegetables producing great crops. It was very interesting to see the varieties they grown on the other side of the world; many familiar and some not so and quite exotic. Seeing all of this has served to make me look forward with eager anticipation to our forthcoming growing season. Continue reading Tips from Alex – March 2017