Page 53 - Simply Veg 3.21

Scottish Branch
Scottish Branch
Champs venue
change
At time of writing this article, we
had been hoping that the Branch Championships would still go ahead at the Corn Exchange in Haddington, however, we had been advised that the local East Lothian Horticultural Society’s Show (due to be held in
the Corn Exchange along-side our branch Championships has just been cancelled following their talks with the Council and the uncertainty of the Hall being opened again by that date.
The Scottish Branch Committee have secured another venue for the same date. The new venue is Larbert Old Parish Church Halls, Denny Road, Larbert FK5 3AB. Planning is just underway with regards to staging times etc, however an early heads
up is that staging will only be on the Saturday morning - but for a longer period. We will keep you updated via the NVS website and facebook page for any timing changes.
MEMBERS 30000 TO 39999
Chairman’s Report
I hope by the time you read this we are starting to get back to a semblance of normality. Covid has certainly had a huge impact on all our lives and in our NVS lives as well. We need to get back to regular activities as soon as, and as safely as we can, in order that we can start to rebuild our great hobby. When you think of it a lot of events and shows will still not take place until 2022 which means nearly 3 years out.
My own strong view is to have all the events we legally can have. To that end
the Branch are planning that the Branch Championships, the Judges Exam and the Seminar should all go ahead. So hopefully we can meet up very soon. Although we will have a Championships, we might not have a lot to enter.
Forfar Horticultural Society recognises long serving Treasurer
One of the NVS’s affiliated Society’s; Forfar Horticultural Society has recognised Mary Craib by presenting her with a Banksian medal for her services to the society. As
you may know, the Banksian medal would normally be presented to the person with the most points in the show, however, with the Forfar Horticultural Society having to cancel their show this year, they looked to present the medal to a worthy Society member... and looked no further, Mary Craib has been their Treasurer for 45 years ! My goodness, I hear you say, that certainly does deserve a medal! Mary will be standing down as Treasurer but is taking on the role of assistant Treasurer
to provide support for her predecessor.
Mary was delighted to have been presented with her medal and certificate by the Society’s Chair, David Nelson (appropriately socially distanced, outside of course at the greenhouse). Mary said “the medal is a beautiful thing and I am very proud to receive it”. Congratulations to Mary from your friends in the Scottish Branch.
I can honestly say that the whole of April and up to when I am writing this (mid-May) has been the worst conditions for growing I have ever experienced. Almost every day in April had temperatures below zero at night and scalding temperatures during the day in greenhouses and tunnels.
As I am writing this it is 5c and pouring with rain – yesterday it was sleet and hail. This is definitely not a good equation for growing exhibition veg. However, we are all eternal optimists so we will be at the shows that are on just the same – with or without veg.
I sincerely hope that I can meet up with all the friends we have throughout the country at the various shows if they go ahead – and what a great excuse to have a celebratory beverage with them!!
NoSDA
This past 15 months has been a difficult time for all with lock downs, travel restrictions and the cancellation of our beloved shows. Up here in the North after a 2020 season with no shows it is looking very bleak for the 2021 season with the majority of our village and larger shows already cancelled. During all of this time the members of NoSDA have been keeping in touch with each other mainly over the phone and in some cases social media. Our Secretary the redoubtable Peter Fitch has also been keeping members in the picture with regular update and various articles on Slug control to going Peat free. This has been greatly appreciated by all. Rhona & Bruce Begg once again did a great job in organising and ordering member’s composts and other sundries from Clydeside Trading Society (CTS), and
a massive thanks goes out to Rhona & Bruce for all the work they put into this annual task. NoSDA would also like to thank CTS for delivering this far North as without access to their wide range
of products our member would find it very difficult and expensive to source alternatives. It is hoped that we will be able to hold our DA show in mid to late September and we are working hard to make this happen. If nothing else over this past 15 months, it has shown me the huge benefits that being a member of the NVS and in particular the Scottish Branch and our own DA brings to everyone. Being able to stay connected with all the friends that we have met through our hobby has been great.
Hoss Martin,
Chair Person NoSDA
Beechgrove debut
Congratulations go to one of our younger Scottish branch members, Calum Clunie, who has secured a place making regular appearances in the BBC’s Beechgrove Garden show, sharing gardening updates from his allotment at Silverburn Park, near Leven in Fife. Ahead of his appearance, Calum said he was “still pinching himself” at being asked to present on the show, admitting that it was a “great honour” to be taking part. Well done Calum and keep up the good work.
Dates for the diary
Please note all planned events are based on being able to meet any applicable Government’s Covid rules nearer the time. Sadly, we had to cancel our Branch Committee meeting that had been scheduled for May and the new Scottish Garden Show at Scone Palace, was also cancelled due to Covid. Please double check before planning to attend any event, thank you.
Sep 4th – Scottish Branch Championships – Larbert Old Parish Church Halls, Denny Road, Larbert FK5 3AB
Oct 2nd – Placeholder for Judges exam – Practical and Theory – Aytoun Hall (Institute) High Street, Auchterarder PH3 1QD
Jim Williams advises that there has been a lot of interest in holding a judge’s exam this year which is good news.
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