Page 54 - Simply Vegetables Summer 2023

NVS
Lancashire
District
Association
We start with sad news from the DA. Paul Goodman unexpectedly passed away 5 March 2023. His funeral was on 24 March at Wigan Crematorium. Paul was a long standing DA Member, helped set up and staff the displays
at Southport and Chorley, attendee at Medwyn’s Masterclass Weekend and a regular at DA and Northern Branch meetings. He was usually with his best mate Bob Mason – like peas in a pod.
There was always lots of banter, laughter and silliness at the Shows with Paul, my sparring and “hat off” partner. Early in my “career” of helping set up at Southport, Paul put some mooli on the display. He went on to tell me in great detail all about them, how to grow them, in case the judge or visitors asked - I’d never heard of them – and how he was the Northwest Champion mooli grower. I took in and believed every word whilst he kept a very straight face. Laughed my head off when he said quite a bit later “did you really believe that?”
The DA programme of talks finished for the year in April and will resume in October 2023. I’d like to thank David Metcalfe, Talks Secretary, for putting them together, to the speakers and to all who attended, brought raffle prizes, bought raffle tickets and supported the DA or took on a role within the DA. It was great to see everyone again after a long break from meeting in person.
The meetings finished with 8 December 22 – AGM followed by Paul Henshaw
– Round up of The Shows. Paul gave a presentation of 2022’s local shows and DA Display at Chorley. And Members enjoyed a pie and pea supper afterwards.
12 January - David Allison - Container Growing. David gave us whistlestop tour of how he grows his veg and fruit in various containers. Lots of photos, ideas, inspiration from David. He also brought some plants for sale.
9 February - David Metcalfe - Large Exhibition Onions - From Seed to Show Bench. David’s talk showed how he produces these specimens to top quality with size. His large onions always attract a lot of attention on the DA displays and at shows where David competes.
Unfortunately as snow was forecast that evening, our talk for 9 March 23 - Stephen Lowe – Ramblings of a Radio Presenter – was cancelled. I hope Stephen will be able to join us for our next season.
13 April - John Taylor - Herbal Remedies.
Paul & Bob
54 Simply Vegetables
Paul & Carol
John is a medical herbalist and explained how he treats his patients with various medicinal teas and potions for ailments.
He brought some teas, tinctures and ointments for sale. John had also gone foraging outside before the meeting started for some common and perhaps unknown, medicinal plants.
The DA are hoping to exhibit at Chorley Flower Show, which runs 28 to 30 July at Astley Park. It’s a lovely little show which has grown year on year, getting better and slightly bigger each time. Always great to see so many familiar faces and friends calling by, meeting up with fellow
exhibitors.
We hope Members can help with
growing produce for the display – even a trough of lettuce helps, easy to do, is a colourful addition.
https://www.chorleyflowershow.com .
What a difference a week of warm weather makes – mid April. Suddenly the grape vines in the glasshouse have burst into leaf and flower bud. Will be a while before the grapes are ready though – end of August / beginning of September.
Lots of other edibles are in leaf bud and flower. Let’s hope the late April forecast frosts don’t damage the fruit tree blossom.