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Three Pits Allotment Society brighten up their local Hospice
For twelve years members of Three Pits Allotments have grown and planted the ower beds in Springhill Hospice, for which they have won awards.
We took matters forward in improving the overall look of the frontage when we had the unfortunate experience of David Howard, a very well-known dahlia grower, known for his expertise and help within the National Dahlia Society, moving into Springhill.
David said the frontage needed to be given a lift, and we asked if Three Pits members could take over the growing and planting. This was eagerly accepted by the Hospice, and has now become a showpiece for patients and members of the public to take pleasure from our efforts. Sadly David died; however, we will continue our efforts in memory of our gifted growers for as long as they are needed by the Hospice.
Jim Reeves, Three Pits Allotments, Middleton
GQT at Ness Gardens
What a day! This was an out of the blue occasion; NAS have attended Ness Gardens in the past but it was some time ago.
As we arrived on site I was astounded by the number of visitors queuing to get in - and the queue was not getting any smaller. Ness Gardens had sold over 3,000 tickets, and it seemed like everyone had arrived at once. We worked our way to the entrance, were admitted on our passes, found the correct tent, and nished setting up.
Andrea had set our stall out on the Friday night. She had picked a wonderful central location right between the entrances of the marquee, so we could catch the visitors coming and going. As it was the autumn
we had lots of questions about Codling Moth, apple pruning, and varieties of apple. We were amazed at the number of visitors who were not from the local area. Yes,
there were lots of people from the Wirral, Merseyside and the rest of Cheshire, but
we also had Scottish people, a couple of overseas visitors, many ‘southern tourists’, two families from Hampshire, and a lady from Surrey who had done the ‘Liverpool Experience’ and had just jumped on a bus to Ness Gardens, to see what she could see. This was a very friendly show will all made welcome, and any gardening questions asked of us were answered. Gratifyingly,
some visitors told us that we had given almost exactly the same answers as they had already received from the gardening experts in the BBC tent.
Now it is the time for a full and frank confession. Diagonally opposite our display stand was another marquee
selling MERINGUES. Big, beautifully
crisp, sticky sweet meringues. Wandering through the tent in one of the broadcast recording sessions when the marquees virtually emptied, I succumbed and bought one covered in cream and strawberries. Heavenly. My colleague on the stand was not amused, as she is not allowed that amount of sugar.
Several gardening experts wandered through our tent, and although they did
not seem to need any questions answered they said hello. Name drop time, we saw: Bob Flowerdew, Pippa Greenwood, Roy Lancaster, and Anne Swithinbank. We did have a conversation with Anne Swithinbank (what a very nice person she is!); she is one of my all time favourite gardeners.
But the time ticked on and then it was gone. The visitors left, the exhibitors eventually made an exit, but if Ness Gardens do it again, can you please send another invite to NAS NWCAA? Please...!
John Irwin
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