Gardening club

THE ANNUAL general meeting took place at Royal St Davids’ Golf Club in Harlech on Monday, 11 April.The chair, Karen Hall, welcomed all in attend-ance and accepted apologies from those unable to attend.The 2015 AGM minutes were accepted as accurate.The treasurer, Anthia Owens, produced a healthy set of accounts which were also accepted.Charity donations this year far exceeded expectations and £450 will be divided equally between the Wales Air Ambulance and Arch Noah, the local playgroup.Thanks were given to all who generously donated and those who bought plants and produce.It was noted that the club’s charities will remain the same during 2016/17.Karen thanked all committee members for their continued support and hard work during the year.Brian and Anita Gatehouse are retiring as summer show co-ordinators following the show this year and Sandra Prior is retiring as secretary. Their tireless work on behalf of the club has been much appreciated.Jane Thompson was elected to take over the position of minutes secretary and a new committee post of programme secretary will be filled by Val Smedley. Mary Howell is also retiring from her position as the organiser of the summer garden visits. Mary Munday was elected as a new committee member.Club membership has grown to 77 and the club regularly has more than 40 members at each of its meetings.Membership fees were discussed and it is hoped that the club will be able to maintain a cost of £5 for members and charge visitors £1 per visit.The competition winner throughout the year, with the highest number of points, is Tony King, whose remuneration will not necessitate open-ing an offshore account!Many exciting events during the coming year include ‘Vegetable Gardening with the Moon’, a demonstration of lloral Christmas decorations and gardeners’ question time.The flagship meeting in July, during which Bleddyn Wynn Jones from Crug Farm Plants will entertain and inform us with a talk on plant hunting in Columbia, will be held in the village hall in Dyffryn as the club is expecting much interest in this event. Keep an eye out for further details nearer the time.The meeting ended with an excellent meal served by the staff of the club and the group’s thanks were given to them all once again.The next meeting will be on 9 May in the church hall when Paul O’Byrne, head gardener at Plas Newydd, will tell the group more about this beautiful National Trust garden. Everyone is welcome.Quilt showA TRIP has been organised to the Quilts UK Show in Malvern, which will be held on Thursday, 19 May.This year’s theme is ‘Where the heart is’. There will be workshops, experts and full facilities on site.

The coach will leave Dyffryn car park at 7am and will return from Malvern at 5pm. The cost for the coach is £20 per person. Admission to the show is extra.

Contact Iris Pugh on 01341 247258 before 2 May to reserve your seat.