Page 52 - Simply Vegetables Autumn 2024

Midland Branch
MEMBERS 10000 TO 19999
I would like to start this report by congratulating the West Midlands
DA on winning a Gold award for their display at BBC Gardeners’ World Live. From the photographs I have seen, this was well deserved and obviously showed that a lot of thought and hard work had gone into the display. Well done!!
Congratulations are also due to the team who put on the display at the Malvern Spring Festival on behalf of the Branch, for which a Silver award was given. Martyn Strange, Bob and Ruth Bleasdale worked very hard this year to provide plants for the display and for sale, as unfortunately our usual growers were out of action due to illness and other commitments. Thanks, must also go to Ernie and Margaret Hull for their support in manning the stand over the four days and to our friends from the Welsh Branch. Lesley and Derek Stone for their input in
helping out on the stand. All very much appreciated.
It seems to be a time of congratulations, for these are also due to those members of the Midlands Branch who were awarded Fellowships. I was very pleased at the Awards meeting to support those who had been nominated – Bob and Ruth Bleasdale, both committee members, Jill Branham and Simon Smith. Congratulations to you all, and all awards most richly deserved. On behalf of the Branch, I also send my best wishes to everyone in the other Branches who received awards this year.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Midlands Branch committee for all their support over the last year, whilst my husband, Mike, has been out of action, firstly having a hip operation and then being re-admitted to hospital with kidney problems. It has meant we have not been able to give much of our time to
the NVS but now he is back on his feet – literally – we are raring to go.
We are looking forward to supporting the Tibberton (Gloucestershire) Horticultural Show in August, by doing a small display, and by way of bringing the NVS to the attention of some of the more novice exhibitors as well as giving support and encouragement to those who are reluctant to exhibit in the larger shows. A report will be in the next issue.
Our main event of the year, the Branch Championships, is now looming and we are busy getting ready to put on, what we hope will be, another successful show at Malvern.
In the meantime, we hope your gardening season has been a success and that you have enjoyed the fruits – and vegetables – of your labours.
June Davies, FNVS
Bucks DA
Once again as I write this update from the Bucks DA we are still having heavy rain and wind. We can see it’s wet but according to our local weather station www.dagnallweather.co.uk we have already had 90mm this month and we are only two weeks in.
We are hopeful, as we hear the summer should arrive by August! So, we will be able to get the Kids and Grandchildren in the garden to give us all a helping hand in an effort to catch up or at least deal with the snail and slugs!!
So, I’m truly hoping as all you read this update you have enjoyed at least a few weeks of warm summer rays and a productive growing season.
Two Great Garden Visits
Back in June we held our annual garden visit to Jill and John Branham’s spectacular home. The weather was with us and despite their being an important football match on the telly we had a really good turnout. The garden overflowing with vegetables ready for the table and plenty more in preparation for the show bench. Some of us regulars are used to getting there early and having a good look around, then thinking to ourselves I Wish!! Followed by then watching the faces on later visitors as they think to themselves how does John
John and Jills garden Visit
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