The Horticultural Society

The Loosley Row and Lacey Green Horticultural Society was founded in January 1981

click Horticultural Society Reports in Hallmark from Novenber 2023

Ernest A Rivett reported in Hallmark (bi-monthly) until September 1988 when John Spurry reported. (He had been writing an article on gardening for Hallmark since the first editon in June 1970).

Hallmark March 1984 Report by Ernest .A. Rivett (Chairman)

It was indeed a very pleasing sight, to see the Annual General Meeting of the Society so well attended, with almost a full turnout of members, together with those just joining during the evening. The Officials and the Committee are very well pleased that the Society is going from strength to strength, and its foundations are very well rooted durring its three years of growth. With Officials and some members of the Committee due to retire under rule 9 of the Society, nominations had been received for their successors. So the formalities of adopting the Balance Sheet, (as presented by the retiring Secretary, John Plowman, in the absence of the Treasurer, Brian Wicks), was accepted. click John & Frankie Plowman and Brian & Judy Wicks for more about John and Brian.

The retiring Chairman giving a brief survey of how we had spread ‘our wings' since getting off the ground, to be now proud members affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society. In handing over the office to the new Chairman Brig. John Spurry, the. retiring Chairman, Ernest Rivett, was grateful to accept the honorary status of Vice President. With new Secretary John Hanna, everything augurs well for the future, in conjunction with a good working committee.

Click John & Daphne Spurry, John & Carole Hanna and Ernest Rivett for more about John Spurry, John Hanna and Ernest Rivett.

Bill Cleaver was the show secretary from 1984. (click Bill & Madeline Cleaver for more about Bill).

Hallmark September 1988. report by John Spurry. (John Spurry also reported in Nov 88, Jan & March 89. and Miles Marshall 5 times)

"The people came to see the show, they came to make a show themselves". And so it was on 21 September when the Society held its Annual Show in the Village Hall.

There were 25 exhibitors and 149 exhibits. A ten per cent increase over 1987 reported Show Secretary Bill Cleaver. While the judges looked at, or prodded, and even tasted the various items on display the members and guests talked, enjoyed a drink and some even won the raffle prizes.

Returning to the show floor we found the colourful display tables now with added prize winning rosettes. The judges, in making their report, confirmed everybody's opinion that standards reached were much higher than in the previous year, and that those who had not won prizes should not be deterred from trying to do that little bit better at the next show.

Kathleen Marshall won the "Plowman Cup" for the most points in the Vegetable Section - the cup was won the previous year by her late husband Miles. Kathleen also won the "Hughenden Cup" for the most points obtained in the Vegetable, Fruit and Flower Sections. She and Michael Hardy had the same marks in the three sections but Kathleen gained the award by winning more first prizes and indeed the special rosettes in two sections. Michael, not to be outdone, retained the Society's "Floral Cup" for his decisive win in the Flower Section.

Doreen Ellis and, believe it or not, Bill Cleaver shared top honours in the Domestic Section. Bill's jam tarts looked and tasted superb, and he also is a dab hand at cheese straws (was he ever a Boy Scout?). At any rate, Bill won the prize given by the W.I. Incidentally, it was so nice of W.I. members, most of whom are Horticultural Society members, to give a real boost to the Domestic Section entries this year. Thanks are due to all the workers without whose help the show could not have been Staged.

From April 1991 and May 1997 (inclusive) the Hallmark Horticultural report was written by Denis Croucher 27 times, with Michael Hardy taking his place once in Dec. 1993. Following Denis came Bill Cleaver and Brian Dockerill

Hallmark November 2022. By Alison Shreeve - Chair Horticultural Society. By Alison Shreeve - Chair Horticultural Society

Hallmark May 2023. By Alison Shreeve - Chair Horticultural Society

The Horticultural Society held its first actual Spring Show for three years in March. We had one virtual show in lockdown and last year’s was cancelled at the last minute because of key people going down with Covid.

Not surprisingly the numbers this year were lower than previously, but those who entered did surprisingly well! We had some wonderful blooms in spite of the appalling cold wet spring. A little sunshine on the Monday before the show probably helped to bring on the hyacinths and daffodils.

Fewer children showed than previously, but demonstrated plenty of enthusiasm and expertise. The jam jars of flowers were beautiful and the Lego models full of imagination. In fact, the overall winner of the President’s Cup for the most points in the show went to Lauren McComish who was a very worthy winner, with lots of entries in the children’s classes, including a magnificent banana bread! Well done Lauren and well done to everyone who entered.

In the domestic section Liz Patient swept the board with some very skillful and delicious baking. Nigel Rolph won the daffodil classes, always against a lot of competition. The flowering pot plants were dominated by orchids, but the worthy winner was one owned by Alison Jarvis who is newly elected onto the committee and a very keen gardener.

Although we were without John and Laura and our President, Michael Hardy to present the awards this year the committee managed the show admirably!

We were very grateful to those who stayed behind to help clear away tables and sweep up. It is a case of many hands make light work and we really appreciate it at the end of the day! Thank you.

Our next meeting on May 17^th is in fact a visit to Lindengate charity gardens in Wendover.

If you are not a member and would like to find out more about our activities, please do contact a member of the committee.

If you are only interested in one talk, we do welcome guests as well. In July we have a talk from Graeme Hollingdale. Experienced horticultural judge and the Chilterns District Representative of the National Sweet Pea Society, so that should be a wonderfully scented evening! We look forward to meeting you.