Page 55 - Simply Vegetables Spring 2024

NVS Lancashire DA
The DA season of talks continued from my last article with a presentation on 9 November by Caroline Coughlin and Honeybees, Why They Matter
Caroline isn’t “just” a beekeeper, she works for the National Bee Unit as an inspector. Caroline is currently involved with tracking and tracing Asian hornet sightings and nests in the South of
the Country. The talk was fascinating, informative and highly recommended to be heard again. She also brought along some products for sale – honey and bees wax candles.
After the DA’s AGM in December, the DA’s own Paul Henshaw Round up of The Shows. Paul gave a photographic presentation of the years’ local shows and DA Display at Chorley. We enjoyed a potato pie supper which gave Members opportunity to have a catch up and socialise. We also had a minute’s silence for NVS Members and friends lost the last 12 months – Paul Goodman, Eddie Moorcroft, Phil Radcliffe.
In January 24, John Soulsby very kindly travelled down from the North East with his presentation – The Trials and Tribulations of a Leek Grower. He kindly brought some leek and onion plants for sale. And what another fascinating and informative talk on growing, from humble
beginnings as 8-year-old growing dahlias to sell to travelling to Ecuador
for flowers, running large successful nursery businesses and buying/selling Christmas trees. Plus, his passion in life – leeks. Here’s 2 renown leek growers and breeders, John with DA Talks Secretary, David Metcalfe.
17 January 24, the DA were one of
16 amateur growers, organisations or businesses who attended or sponsored “Let’s Get Growing 24,” organised by Chorley St James’ CofE Primary School Deputy Head and DA Member, Andrew Clark.
It was like a mini–Chorley Flower Show – British Fuchsia Society, National Sweet Pea Society, National Auricula Society, Chorley & District Gardening Society, Leaf Education, Robinson’s Mammoth Vegetable Seeds, The Bee Centre, Astley Park Walled Garden, Chorley in Bloom Group. Sponsors – Hillview Hardy Plants, First Tunnels, Chiltern Seed, Melcourt, Thomas Etty Seeds. Oh and the DA. What an accomplishment Mr Clark!!
The school hall was buzzing with enthusiastic children and teachers from around 20 schools, all interested in growing and wanting to know more. I took some bagged-up seed (what
a palaver that was with no printed
labels and just a glue stick to help) and potatoes to give out to the schools. I gave advice on how to grow and show some of the veg. This year’s inter schools flower show will be 11 July 2024 and I’ve been invited again to judge. I hope to see many more entries and schools this year.
A plug for NVS and DA Members Shevington Gardening Club who’ve been working with Shevington Community Allotments to put on their first Spring Show on Saturday 13 April at St Anne’s Parish Rooms, Church Lane, Shevington, Wigan. I’ll hopefully upload a copy of the schedule onto our Facebook page and can email copies out to interested folk.
And it’s time to start gearing up, if
not already for Chorley Flower Show which the DA will be taking part in again – dates are 26-28 July 2024. All help gratefully received – growing, help with set up, break down, staffing the display during the show.
Cath Holmes, Chair www.facebook.com/NVSLancs/ www.facebook.com/NVSNorthern
Talks yet to come
8 February 24 - Julie Livesey - History of Lancashire Basket Making. The history of basket making, how to harvest and prepare willow, techniques. With a demonstration and hands on opportunity to have a go.
14 March 24 - Stephen Lowe - Ramblings of a Radio Forester. Stephen is a longstanding presenter on BBC Radio Lancashire, broadcasting across the County from various events and venues. He’s a Britain in Bloom judge, professional arboriculturist, starting his forestry career as a YTS.
11 April 24 – John Smiles – From Seed to Harvest. Always great to have John back with his dry wit and sense of humour, along with his extensive knowledge and experience of growing.
Caroline
David and John
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