Page 63 - Simply Vegetables Spring 2023

Southern Branch
MEMBERS 50000 TO 59999
Chairman’s Report
Often one does not know what
one has until it is gone. To quantify that statement, I have been driving since 1964, some 58 years, first on motorcycles then in cars and passed both driving tests first time.
In November 2022, I was forced to relinquish my driving license due to a notifiable medical condition and I have been told by the DVLA that subject to a report by my medical consultant I should get my licence back sometime in May or June this year. As I write this in January, I have been without transport now for two months and it seems like a lifetime. Lewes is very hilly and just to get to the bus stop requires a walk up a couple of steep hills (and the same when returning home)
and with medication keeping my blood pressure low this means that any exertion
onto the SB Committee at our last meeting in January 2023 as Neil’s shadow and
who will be standing for the Treasurer’s role at our upcoming AGM. Helen lives
in North Baddesley, Hampshire and only joined the NVS in June 2022. She was also recently voted in as a Hants DA Committee Member at their AGM. As an accountant she is well placed to take on the role,
and as a “youngster” (compared to the rest of us) she will hopefully have a long association with the NVS.
Following my appeal in the Winter 2022/23 edition I am pleased to say that we have had a positive response from our Southern Branch NVS affiliated Societies with three, possibly four Societies taking up the offer of a NVS Plaque and Card for their 2023 Shows and I know that at least one
of these will be an additional trophy to be
greenhouse is full of new life. The old, perspex covered chicken run about 5m
x 4m has now had the sides and door covered with polytunnel grade polythene and will be put to good use this year, although I will still be using the polytunnel on the allotment to grow stuff until September.
Norman Dickinson F.N.V.S. Southern Branch Chairman
Surrey DA
With the cold spell over work on Surrey DA members gardens and allotments has restarted, beds have been top dressed if using the No Dig method or dug over.
Seed boxes have been sorted and any requirements ordered. Onion sets, garlic and shallots have been planted either direct in the ground or in small cells or pots, the 2023 growing year has begun.
With the cost of electricity, I am balancing the need for switching on the heating system, the greenhouse has been double insulated and sectioned to provide a smaller
area that would require heating. Hopefully, the weather will continue to improve.
The programme for the Surrey DA is complete and we are looking forward to a year of interesting talks.
We will also be attending 2 external events being held at RHS Wisley.
We hope everyone has a good 2023 and look forward to meeting up with friends at one of the shows or events.
Keith Hine
really takes it out of you. So hopefully, I will not need
to rely on “Shanks’s Pony” (Google it if you do not know what it means) later this year.
I will also need to make a decision sometime this year regarding my allotment.
I am really struggling at present to work the plot
My containers and Autopot components are ready for a new phase in my growing techniques
awarded. By the time that you read this it will be too late to apply for a Plaque and Card for 2023, but it will not stop you making an application for your 2024 Shows.
The NVS Southern Branch AGM will be held on Sunday, 16th April 2023, probably a week
or two after the time that this edition of SV lands on your mat. Full details are
as I have done for the
past 20 odd years and I
will probably give it up in
September when the rent become due. The bees that I currently keep on the site I will relocate to home, and I will probably make more use of container growing, especially after the success’s I had growing tomatoes, onions, and some runner beans in Autopots. The intention will be to increase the quantity of vegetables grown in them.
available on our Events Page on the NVS website and will be included in an email sent to all Southern Branch members who have registered their email address. A full report will be in the summer edition of SV.
With the improvements in the weather, we hope, all of those green shoots should be marching along by now with the growing beds prepared and waiting to take them. My progress, as already stated, is slow but my containers and Autopot components are ready for a new phase in my growing techniques and the
I mentioned in the last SV that we have found a replacement Southern Branch Treasurer to finally let Neil Hope take it easy. I would like to formally welcome Helen Hutchings Cox who was co-opted
Essex DA
Following our AGM back in November, we have a packed programme of events for 2023. By the time you’re reading this, we should have had out first two talks of the year. However, I have summarised those that will be taking place from April onwards:
• Sunday 2 April: talk by John Hughes on “Judging RHS Shows”
• Sunday 14 May: talk by Matt Oliver on “Growing unusual vegetables”
• Sunday 16 July: Essex DA Mini Show • Sunday 15 October: talk by Tracy
Mackness from The Giggly Pig
Company
• Sunday 19 November: Essex DA AGM
We still have a vacant Secretary position on our Essex DA committee. If anyone is interested in taking up this role, please get in touch.
For further information on Essex DA events, please contact Emily Plumb on emily.plumb@btinternet.com or Sherie Plumb on 01621 741787.
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