A BOROUGH gardening group celebrated its Diamond Jubilee in style this month.
Despite a scorching hot summer, and the torrential rain of the past week or so, entries to California Gardeners’ Club’s (CGC) Autumn Show passed the 300 mark, a record number in recent years.
“The Ratepayers’ Hall was a sight to behold with a colourful display of fruit, vegetables, pot plants, flowers and floral arrangements,” said organiser Sylvia Hawes.
“The star of the show was, in many of the visitors’ opinions, the display of magnificent fuchsia florets.
“Macey Temperley and Lesley Hicks both produced winning entries in those classes and Lesley went on to win the RHS Banksian medal which is awarded to the winner of the highest number of points gained in the Show’s vegetable, fruit and flower sections.”
Chairman Dick Hawes swept the board in the three tomato classes while Alan Taylor, Sheila McKeand and Macey Temperley all entered winners in the vegetable classes. A ‘Medley of Edible Produce from your Garden’ was the newest challenge set for the members of the Club and they responded with a veritable harvest festival of exhibits. “Baskets bulged with potatoes, carrots, beans, courgettes, aubergines, peppers, apples, raspberries, damsons and quince,” said Sylvia.
“It was a truly inspirational display to encourage others to try and grow a variety of fruit and vegetables.”
The Show’s photographic competition had a 1960’s theme with members given a choice of submitting a picture either entitled ‘a Stairway to Heaven’ or ‘Wild Thing’ a photo of an insect on a plant.
Peter Allington, a long-time member of both the Gardeners’ Club and Wokingham Photographic Club, praised the standard of the entries, and selected Macey Temperley and Sylvia Hawes as winners.
Visitors could view all the photos which were projected on a screen on the Hall’s stage while 1960’s music was playing.
To further celebrate the club’s diamond jubilee, the task of the flower arrangers was to produce arrangements commemorating the day.
“Linda Garrett won the Class for a ‘Diamond Jubilee’ arrangement, while Ann Blakeman’s ‘Reflections of the 60’s’ was a well deserved winner,” said Sylvia.
The Show’s organisers, Linda Garrett and Sylvia Hawes, were delighted to see so many visitors who came to view the exhibits in the afternoon.
“The atmosphere was warm and friendly as everyone enjoyed tea and the special anniversary cake,” added Sylvia.
Members of CGC can hear monthly talks given by experts in horticulture and other areas of interest, and the group’s Trading Hut opens on Sunday mornings in the season, with a good stock of products at very competitive prices, and free advice.
For information, visit: californiagardenersclub.co.uk
