Page 69 - Simply Vegetables Winter 2021/22

Irish Section
RAYMOND HIGGINS
Happy New Year to all our members. We are very much looking forward to the spring when we can get sowing and growing again. Irish Members held an outdoor meet and greet on October 17th in Lough Key Forest Park, Roscommon. It was especially nice to meet up with friends after such a long time. Thanks to everyone for coming and to those who provided refreshments, even the Swan had a great day.
New Onion Class for Moate Show
NVS Ireland, will sponsor a special class at Moate Agricultural Show
at the end of August. The class will
be confined to NVS members. The class will call for a dish of 5 onions grown from the Trial Seed; Red Onions kindly provided by Medwyn’s of Anglesey, to every member in the Autumn magazine. This will be a new challenge for all our members. Best of luck to everyone.
Owing to COVID we were unable
to have a physical AGM this year. Each member has received at
least one phone call and one written communication during
the year. The Facebook page has been regularly updated and the number of members online has increased substantially. Our DA ran a successful virtual competition again this year. We are indebted
to Raymond Higgins for all his work judging this and presenting the results on Facebook. The competition was a great way to reach and engage with people who may never have been to a physical show. I think that some kind of virtual competition should
continue as an annual event for newcomers. Previously I had a vague idea of doing a home garden competition, but the time and distances involved in physically going to see the gardens wouldn’t be feasible, an online version would be viable and other garden related competitions with an online or postal element could also work.
Most members kept busy in their gardens during COVID and
I have included a photo of one of our longstanding members John Joe Mollen and his wife Rosie with long carrot and parsnip he grew. (bottom of next page)
Michael Gordon
talk to his fellow allotment holders, sharing his horticultural knowledge and enjoying conversations on other topics such as current affairs and sport.
John won many prizes, too numerous
to mention, but he was very proud of his
All Ireland win – the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) Silver medal, for winning the national Allotment of the Year competition in 2011. Another notable achievement was winning the North Dublin Horticultural Societies Associations ‘Exhibitor of the Year’ award 14 times. The photo shows John being presented with the 2018 award by Alick Brannigan.
John joined the NVS in 2011 as Treasurer of the Irish DA, bringing with him a wealth of experience. In his first year with us, our
membership doubled. He also served as Chairman from 2016 onwards. John was a very courteous and efficient administrator. He received a fellowship award from the NVS in 2019, in recognition of his service.
Due to the Covid restrictions still in place at the time, only limited numbers could attend John’s funeral service in St.Sylvester’s Church, Malahide, followed by burial in Donabate cemetery, which is quite close to the allotments on Turvey Avenue, which
he had tended since 1987. Our deepest condolences to his wife Rosemary, sons Niall and Patrick, daughters in law, grandchildren, brothers and extended family. May he Rest In Peace.
Michael Gordon
Simply Vegetables 69