THE latest community news from Dyffryn & Talybont

Gardening Club

THE speaker at the meeting on 13 May, held in the Church Hall, was Rev Mary Bolt, her subject being ‘My NHS Garden at LLanfachreth’.

Prior to this, the president advised members of several topical activities, such as planting out bedding and shrubs and also care of potatoes which may have been touched by frost. If members are prepared to rise early in the morning, before sunrise, frost can be washed off the potatoes. Bedding should not be planted out until both day and night temperatures have risen. Now is a good time to sow runner beans in individual pots.

Brooms, of which there are several varieties, and Azaras are attractive May flowering shrubs.

Chair reminded members to add their names to the list of people wishing to go on the June trip to Gwydir Castle and Conwy Water Gardens.

She also thanked all involved in making such a success of the Open Day on 6 May. The amount raised for club funds was over £900. This may become a regular feature in the annual programme of events.

The speaker moved to Llanfachreth in 1998 and found most of the land covered in bracken. Several years of hard work and creative planning resulted in a most beautiful natural garden including a bluebell wood. Among the many beautiful plants and shrubs shown in the film, produced by Rev Bolt, were Aquiligias, Hydrangeas, Rhododendrons, Foxgloves, Wallflowers, Astilbes, Hostas LIlies, Dahlias, Azaleas Clematis and a Golden Rose planted to celebrate her Golden Wedding. A garden room is used to over winter non hardy plants.

Many varieties of birds are seen in the garden and otters have also been sighted.

The garden is opened to the public once a year in May, raising money for the NHS which, in 2017, raised over a million pounds for NHS charities.

An added incentive to visit, should one be needed, are the cream teas provided by Rev Bolt and her husband.

Chair thanked the speaker on behalf of the club.

First prize in this month’s competition, a photograph taken in an NHS garden, was won by Tony King.

The next meeting will be on 8 July in the Church Hall.

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