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Rotherham Ramblings...
I would like to begin by taking this opportunity to thank regular readers of this column for both taking the time to read it and, when some of us have met, offering words of encouragement.
Those of you that follow this collection of thoughts and ramblings will know that I am ruled by two things. One of them is the moon
- historically this was thought to be the cause of lunacy, and who
am I to deny that there may be some truth in the old belief? But the other ruling in uence in my life is a force of nature of a different type: my good lady. When she declared we, (I use this word in its loosest form, because I realised from the outset she meant me), would grow potatoes to be harvested on Christmas Day; I sighed. I knew she would not be swayed by reason or put off until it was too late. The reason I knew this was because they were the tactics I have used for the last two years. So we have bags of compost with seed potatoes in them, which will be nurtured ‘or else’ until Christmas Day is upon us and, along with parsnips and sprouts they will be picked and served to the family. I’ll let you know how this turns out.
Now that winter is here, I realise that I have more in common with plants and nature than I thought. Due to the short cold days, I don’t try and get as much done this time of year, even though there is no urgency with the plants or garden. Despite that I have more time, with modern heating and lights, and there is no need for my efforts to be restricted by the time of year; therefore, I do not feel the need to do as much. My brain is partially hibernating and I feel mellow and relaxed, like a true son of the soil.
Having said that, it doesn’t mean you lot can take it easy... I need those Kings Seeds’ orders back now to claim our full discount!
Mike Farrel, with slight editing by Phil Gomersall
(L-R) Phil Gomersall, Aaron Hickman, Lady Mayor of Harrogate
Yorkshire Federation
Annual General
Meeting
The Yorkshire Federation held its 100th Annual General Meeting on Saturday 11th November 2017 at the Sun Pavilion, Harrogate with its magni cent stained glass dome.
We were welcomed by the Lady Mayor of Harrogate, Cllr Ann Jones, who knew of us from the Harrogate Shows and from our Chairman’s involvement with a charity event for Horticap.
Our speaker was Mr Aeron Hickman of Askham Bryan Agricultural College. Aeron spoke to us brie y of the college and his work there. He then went on to entertain and inform us with his knowledge of old and heritage vegetable varieties.
After lunch the business part of the day was undertaken, with the election of Of cers, reports from the Secretary and Treasurer, and nally a presentation by our own Liz Bunting.
The Chairman, Mr. Phil Gomersall, closed the meeting at about 3.30pm by thanking everyone for an excellent day.
Tony Heeson, Regional Secretary
(L-R) Nick Fawcett, Liz Bunting, Lady Mayor, Phil Gomersall, Tony Heeson, John Kirk
Charity Bene ts from Leven Allotments stall
A stand of produce from Leven allotment holders has raised more than £370 for the brain tumour charity.
Organised by allotment owners Ken Hammond and Malcolm Harrison, the stall was kept full all summer thanks to donations from the allotment holders at Leven allotments.
The brain tumour charity was the bene ciary charity this year and is close to Ken Hammond’s heart, having supported them in various ways for a number of years.
The organisers have said the success is thanks to the allotment holders who donated the produce, and the community who have supported the stall outside Carr Lane which has sold everything from lettuce to dahlias.
Article reproduced with permission from the Holderness and Hornsea Gazette
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