Page 61 - Simply Vegetables Spring 2021

Southern Branch
MEMBERS 50000 TO 59999
Chairman’s Report
By the time that you read this article, Spring will be in touching distance and
for some of us the early sowings will progressing well in the greenhouse,
with thoughts of hardening off before planting out into their final positions on the allotment. As in previous years, preparation of the beds in the polytunnel will be in progress ready for planting the tomatoes and cucumbers together with both sweet and chilli peppers.
With the lack of events and shows that have been available to our members over the past 12 months, the Southern Branch are organising a Zoom lecture on 9th February where Andrew Halstead, RHS Principal Entomologist (retired) will be giving a talk on ‘Pests new to Britain in recent years, a look at some of the alien pests that have become established in Britain in recent years’ As I am writing this before the event I will let you all know how it all went.
Following the demise of the Devon DA at the beginning of 2020, Joe Wallis as he mentioned in the last SV, is attempting to resurrect the DA and has received some support and interest for this from our West Country members. If anyone is interested please contact Joe either by
telephone on 07768 583535 or via email at josephwallis1942@hotmail.co.uk.
I have been trying desperately to avoid making any reference to the Covid-19 pandemic but unfortunately due to the uncertainty that still prevails in January,
even with nearly 7 million people having received their vaccination, the New Forest and Hampshire Show committee have deferred further a decision as to whether the Show will proceed at the end of July 2021. As a result of this deferment, the Southern Branch are now considering holding a virtual show and have started planning for this.
By keeping to the “Show” date of 27th July 2021 for the virtual show, should by chance a live show can be held then at least the members will be growing for the correct date. Ali Clarke, our Show Secretary will have written a report for inclusion in this edition of SV where there should be more details available. There will also be updates on the NVS website within the Southern Branch area of the Events Pages.
Here’s looking forward to some form of normality and meeting up again once more..
Norman Dickinson Southern Branch Chairman
Sub-Editor Report
On the evening of the 9th February the Southern Branch had an excellent talk by Andrew Halstead the recently retired entomologist from the RHS who was based at Wisley Gardens on ‘Pests New to Britain’. There were 100 members listening to the talk and they heard an informative and interesting lecture on many pests that have come into Britain in the last thirty years.
On behalf of the Branch I would like to thank Keith Hine for organising the talk and Norman Dickinson for chairing the talk. There may be more talks in the future so watch the website event section.
Sussex DA News
Once again there is not a lot to report from Sussex DA. I must say that my pots and trays have never been as clean as they are this year, nor has my potting area been so neat and tidy. With all the time spent at home
I am sure that fellow members have found the same.
Owing to the ongoing restrictions at the time of writing we are still unsure if we will still be able to be at the South of England Show in June at Ardingly, with the Chelsea Flower Show dates being moved to September we are
in limbo and therefore it has been difficult to know what to plan, if it does not go ahead then hopefully we will have an alternative plan in place as the South of England Show is a major fund raiser and also a huge promotion for the NVS. If we do come up with an alternative plan then details will be sent out in the newsletter. However, for now we will have to watch this space....
We are looking forward to our talk
on the 12th May at 7.30pm with Mark Saunders from Fittleworth House in West Sussex providing that it will still
be able to go ahead, this will of course depend upon the restrictions at the hall.
In the meantime, here’s hoping that we will have a great growing season and let’s hope that by the time this edition is printed we will have some normality back in our lives.
Take care. Marion Neden.
Kent District Association
As I write (early February) we are in another Covid lockdown with no end in sight
for several weeks at least. Because of all the uncertainty our Kent DA programme remains suspended until such time as we can confidently plan to meet in safety. We have also cancelled our plant sales pitch at the West Kent Garden and Craft Show. It was decided that it was too much of a risk for us to spend time and money growing plants for an event which may be cancelled. So no veg plants required, thank you.
Hopefully, you are all safe and well and managing to enjoy your gardening. I’m sure that, like me, you all have been busy over the last couple of months planning your veg plots, sowing seeds and planting. I had my seed potatoes chitted out in February in readiness for spring planting. There have been warnings of seed potato shortages this year and potato selling events have been cancelled. I managed to get Bonnie, Kestrel, Casablanca and Charlotte from a friend who buys from a wholesaler.
I would like to ask if any of our Kent DA members could supply me with photographs which may be used to brighten up our SV reports. Also, any suggestions or written contributions would be greatly appreciated.
If you would like to get in touch with the Kent DA for any information please call me on 01732 352707 or email chris.passey52@gmail.com
Chris Passey
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