Well-dressing

There can be few pleasanter ways to while away an hour or two than the creation of these wonderful pictures designed by Maggie Cooke – she usually keeps the design a secret, but has told us that this year she’s looking at nostalgia for a gentler time past.

The boards on which the pictures are made are soaked, then covered in a thick layer of clay, the design pricked out and then filled in with petals, leaves, twigs, wool and any other natural countryside material which comes to hand.

Work to make the well-dressing begins in the craft room of the Old School Village Hall on Wednesday, April 29, sometime in the morning, and continues until completion on Saturday, May 2 around lunchtime when the boards will be ceremoniously hung by the well and all are welcome to visit – especially if you’ve had a hand in making them.

• RUNNING almost concurrently with the well-dressing work is the Spring Art Show at the Old School Village Hall – this is an opportunity for members of the various craft classes which are held throughout the year at the hall, to show off their work.

The exhibition is open from Friday, May 1st until Tuesday, May 5th, from 10.00am to 6.00pm each day.

• FOLLOWING their very successful Spring Show recently, The Horticultural Society held their Annual General Meeting earlier this month.

Graham Brant was re-elected chairman, and Tony Knight, who had served many years as vice-chairman stood down from that post whilst remaining on the committee; Sue Brant will continue as secretary and Gill Wilkinson will carry on as treasurer managing the healthy finances – so healthy are they that the Society will this year be able to sponsor the vegetable collection class at the national championships, run in conjunction with the Dorset County Show, of the National Vegetable Society.

In his report, the chairman commented on the very active and enjoyable year past, remembering especially the BBC Gardeners Question Time programmes which were recorded here last summer.

Another highlight had been the afternoon visit to a particular garden with a cream tea as well where hitherto this annual visit had always been in the evening: members have voted overwhelmingly to enjoy the earlier time again – no doubt the prospect of scones and cream has some influence!

Looking forward, the next meeting of the Horticultural Society will be held at St.Nicholas and St. Laurence School on Thursday, May 7 at 7.30pm, when the speaker will be Marcus Dancer who runs the clematis nursery at Fordingbridge – very colourful that will be.

Then there’s the Plant Sale on Saturday, May 16 at the Memorial Hall from 10.30am to 12.30, entry free and lots of beautiful plants to buy.

There are some places still available for the trip to the RHS garden at Rosemoor in North Devon on Wednesday, June 24 – for this, contact Sue Brant on 812276.

• The Annual General Meeting of the Memorial Hall in Victoria Avenue took place recently and it was reported that, at well over 50 years old, it’s really thriving with many clubs and organisations meeting regularly.

The chairman, Graham Brant, was re-elected and so was secretary, Terry Gant. Eve Norris, who has been looking after the bookings for many years, is continuing with that essential job and you should contact her on 813942 if you want to use the hall.

Peggy Riglar has stood down as treasurer – she’s held every post on the Memorial Hall committee over the last 21 years and has been a tireless worker: many thanks to her for all her efforts. She’s leaving the finances in very good heart with enough in the kitty to be able to not only meet all the bills but have a surplus to be used for the refurbishment of the toilets for the Menzies Room and the W.I. room.