Page 50 - Simply Vegetables Winter 2024/25

Bucks DA Annual Garden Visit
This year`s garden visit, we were invited to the beautiful gardens and trout lakes at Adwell Manor in Oxfordshire.
A total of 35 members and guests were shown around by Colin and Tony, the only 2 gardeners (1 full time and 1 part time) who attend to the gardening needs of this estate. On a beautiful day, we started at the large herbaceous border near the front of the house, progressed to a lovely knot garden in the walled garden, then Colin took us to the parish church
of St. Mary`s and explained to us
all, the history of this lovely ancient church. We then entered a very different garden with a huge wisteria along a back wall. There followed
a lovely walk around the trout lakes with some very large trout as well as numerous wildlife, past a wonderful water feature. A very peaceful stroll.
We then made our way to the patio area at the rear of the house, where we were served well-earned teas and coffees with biscuits and not forgetting the estate`s own delicious apple juice. It was lovely to sit in the sun and enjoy some social chat. A very peaceful afternoon had by all.
Bob Bleasdale FNVS, Vice Chair
OBITUARY
CHRIS DOCKER
I first met Chris Docker in Ledbury Market, Herefordshire, in 1963, when
I was 17 and Chris was 15, both lorry driver’s mates, working for livestock haulage companies. We hit it off immediately, whichever market we were atwealwaysmetupforacupofteaand sometimes a doughnut or Welsh cake.
As the years went by, we became close friends, attending each other’s weddings and, although we eventually went our separate ways, we were always in each other’s thoughts. Chris stayed with livestock, I moved on to fruit and vegetables.
In the 1980’s I became interested in exhibiting vegetables and couldn’t believe my eyes when, walking around Madresfield Show, Worcestershire, when it was still
in existence, my family and I bumped
into Chris and his family. He had also acquired the bug for exhibiting vegetables and, like me, had become a Midlands Branch member of the NVS. That was the rekindling of the friendship and our friendly battle at the shows. Telephone calls, picking each other’s brains, were a regular occurrence.
After a while we wondered if we could up our game and try our hand at bigger shows rather than just the local village shows and decided to exhibit at Shrewsbury. We had
a bet on who would win the parsnips, the loser would buy the fish and chips on the way home. That turned out to be me!! Chris beat me with his parsnips. A reporter from the Shropshire Star picked up on the story and wrote about us in the newspaper.
Chris could talk for England as I am sure many exhibitors know – and not only about veg, but all sorts of things ... and sheep! Whilst I moved on from livestock, Chris never did. He loved his job and was always well respected by his employers. It’s a good job he married a farmer’s daughter.
I have so many happy memories of Chris and I will miss him dearly. He was a good
friend and always there if I needed him. Once at Tibberton Show (Gloucestershire) I suffered a vertigo attack and had to be taken home by the local GP and Robert Heigham, who is another NVS friend. Chris and Mary came to my rescue getting my car home as June cannot drive, and they stayed with us until 10 o’clock that night,
to make sure I was going to be ok. A friend indeed who will be sadly missed. The shows won’t be the same for me without Chris around.
My heartfelt sympathies go out to Mary, Lisa and Nick, Nick and Charlotte, Ieuan, Lloyd, Ned and baby Connie. Chris adored his family, and his grandchildren brought him great joy.
Rest in peace, Chris. You will be forever in my thoughts.
Mike Davies FNVS
Simply Vegetables Binder
Store your magazines away. Each binder holds 12 magazines. (3 years worth)
£5.00+ £3.49 P&P
To purchase contact:
Mrs June Davies FNVS, Midlands Branch.
Tel 01531 822750 or email junedavies648@yahoo.com
WEST MIDLANDS DA
At our recent meeting we were given a lecture by Greg Hunt who set up two small orchards locally called Poppy Fields Orchards, he also produces apple juice and cider as well as keeping bees and producing honey.
He has only been running this business on a part time basis for the last 14 years and his lecture was well received by
our small band of members. We are currently trying hard to increase the number of people attending our meetings, committee member John Boswell has been contacting members and local garden clubs.
If you would like to receive details of our meetings, please reply to my e-mail and I will pass on details to John. We
also held our mini show with some good vegetables in the show, however only 5 members entered.
Our members however enter many of the local shows with great success showing how as an NVS member you can be successful.
Graham Brickstock FNVS
50 Simply Vegetables