Page 52 - Simply Vegetables Winter 2024/25

Bucks DA
Rain, Rain, Rain. Well, that seems to summarise the year for us. However, I’ve been speaking with David Killick at Dagnall Weather Station AONB, and this is what he emailed me.
How wet is it here in Buckinghamshire? We are not known for wet weather, but over recent years, we have had an increase in rain. September 2024 was an exceptional month, breaking local records. The total rainfall was a record 197.2mm 31⁄2 times the September average, and the highest daily amount was 71.2mm.
With total annual rainfall up to mid- October of 896mm, we will break another record. Looking back to 1936, the highest yearly amount was 979mm in 2000. By the time you read this, we will have exceeded 1100mm. Is this what we must expect from
climate change?
Here in the Chilterns sitting on chalk,
it quickly drains away taking a lot of the nutrients out of the soil, it’s now time for a plan to restore them.
September started with above-average temperatures and a high of 30.3°c on the 1st. Following a relatively warm first week, Arctic air here in Dagnall and a heavy hailstorm saw huge hailstones.
From David at Dagnall Weather Station AONB www.dagnallweather.co.uk
Our Show Season
The Bucks County Show in August was a great success for the DA. All classes were won by DA members, we met lots of new people on our stand and signed up a few as new NVS members. We are hearing
rumblings, however, from across the Midlands and Southern branches that they will challenge our full-house achievement next year. After a few chats amongst the DA, we agree the challenge is accepted, and we’re quietly confident we can maintain our record next year!
Bucks DA members had a good showing at the branch shows across the country, but we’ll focus on sharing some photos from the Midlands Show.
DA Award Success – Jake Sale
Additional to the cards at Malvern our very own new boy Jim Styles for the Best Novice. Jim was cockahoot with the award and all the rest of the DA warmly congratulate Jim on his sterling work and success, recognition well deserved.
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