Latest News - August 2025
Our evening visit to the Allotment at The Harrow Pub at Sheet by kind permission of Tony Clear was a huge success. We were blessed with a glorious summer’s evening and Tony generously put on two tours as the event was so popular. Members enjoyed a relaxing drink at The Harrow pre and/or post tour and we were very pleased to be able to make a £272 donation to The Rosemary Foundation.
Our plant stall at the Froxfield Fete raised a very pleasing £197 for the Village Hall fund. Thank you for your support and generosity in buying and also for donating plants for us to sell.
This year our Open Gardens was held at Coles, Basing Dean, Privett on the afternoon of Saturday 26 July. The event was very well attended; the rain showers held off and we enjoyed glorious sunshine. Everyone had a wonderful afternoon in the exquisite garden at Coles. Our thanks go to Shuna and Mike MacKillop-Hall. It was lovely to see Coles in its summer glory in contrast to the well renowned stunning spring and autumn colour. Mike gave a very interesting tour sharing his passion for the many mature and semi mature trees throughout the garden. The cutting garden and the Pollinator Patch were stunning – an absolute riot of colour and insects. Shuna and Mike have developed the garden over the years and the flowerbeds sit comfortably in the parkland landscape.
Refreshments were served on the lawns where visitors could relax and enjoy the stunning garden. Both the Pimms tent and the Tea tent were as popular as ever with a fantastic selection of delicious cakes to choose from. Bargains were to be had at the well stocked Plant and Produce Stall, which proved popular. The profit for the event was very pleasing and will be shared between the Garden Club and The National Garden Scheme.
The Committee once again are to be congratulated on the excellent organisation and running of the day.
August brings our lovely annual Summer Show, which opens at 2.15pm on Saturday 16 August at Froxfield Village Hall. Copies of the Show Schedule are available from Froxfield Stores and Budgens at West Meon Hut. Please return entries either to Froxfield Stores or a member of the committee, not to Budgens. If Budgens run out, please try Froxfield Stores or alternatively email fpgardenclub@gmail.com to request a copy.
Entries may be submitted by all residents of Froxfield and Privett and by members of the club whose 2024/2025 subscriptions was paid by 31 July 2025. All horticultural exhibits must be bone fide produce of the exhibitor, grown by them for a period of at least 6 weeks prior to the date of the Show. This does not apply to the Flower Arrangement classes.
This year we have included 3 decorated biscuits in the children’s classes. Please encourage your children and grandchildren to enter this. Unlike the other children's classes there will not be an entry organised by one of the schools, so it is down to our children/grandchildren to see what they can make. Choose their favourite biscuit (shop bought or home made) and encourage them to decorate it.
Again, we will be serving our delicious tea and cakes, there will be a Bring and Buy Plant, Cake and Produce Stall and of course a Raffle with profits going to the Garden Club. Donations of any suitable items will be greatly appreciated. Prize giving will be at 3.45pm.
Anyone wishing to exhibit must submit their entry form and fee to the Show Secretary (Christine Stephens), a Committee Member or to Froxfield Stores by 5pm on Thursday 14 August.
On the day of the Show Froxfield Village Hall will be open at 8am and the staging of entries must be completed by 10.15am. Please contact our Show Secretary, Christine Stephens on 01730 266529 or email her at fpgardenclubshow@gmail.com if you have any queries.
We are very much looking forward to seeing many of you at the Summer Show and, if you have not entered before – take a look at the schedule and have a go! It’s a wonderful community event and great fun! Come along, enjoy all the exhibits of flowers, fruit, vegetables and cookery and enjoy tea and delicious cakes too!
Our next meeting and AGM is on Tuesday 7 October 2025 at Privett Village Hall at 7.30pm and our speaker will be Marina Christopher. There will be more information in next month’s Potting Shed News