Hello and welcome to the Surrey Horticultural Federation New Year Newsletter! We hope you had a lovely Christmas and wish you and all the members of your clubs and societies a very happy new year.
I hope that 2024 will be a fantastic year for all our gardening clubs, societies, and horticultural associations; by joining together we can support each other and share helpful information and resources.
Order your Tickets for the Surrey Horticultural Federation Spring Talk 2024 with Speaker Nick Hamilton
We’re looking forward to welcoming Horticulturist, Nick Hamilton as the speaker for our Spring Talk at 2.30pm on Sunday 17th March 2024 at Normandy Village Hall, Manor Farm, Glaziers Lane, Normandy, Guildford, Surrey, GU3 2DT. Don’t miss out – make haste and order your tickets now – before we sell out!
Nick is the son of the late, great, legendary gardener, Geoff Hamilton. Nick Hamilton developed his passion for gardening, aged 9, when his father purchased a derelict garden centre in Kettering. He worked with his dad at weekends and during school holidays. He trained at Writtle College and took a National Diploma course in commercial horticulture. Nick’s sandwich year placement sent him to Darby Nursery Stock in Norfolk, one of the largest wholesale container nurseries in the country. The nursery asked him to return for full time employment, once his course had ended. Nick gained valuable experience there and at other nurseries until his father purchased a piece of land, adjacent to Barnsdale, in 1989. This land formed the nursery and ultimately part of Barnsdale Gardens. Nick worked closely with his father in the family business.
Nick took over the running of Barnsdale Gardens when his father Geoff died and has developed it into the inspirational garden that it is today, which is not only a credit to a great man but also to Nick’s passion, foresight and hard work. These inspirational gardens are still run using organic and peat-free principles and are visited annually by about 30,000 people, who range from keen gardeners to non-gardeners who still enjoy a visit to a beautiful garden. You will find Nick at Barnsdale, occupying the “hands on” role he so enjoys.
Over the years, Nick has also managed to fit in appearances on Gardeners’ World, writing books, being a regular contributor to gardening magazines, talking to gardening groups, W.I’s, etc., contributing to the various Talks Stages at major flower shows, tutoring most of the courses being run at Barnsdale, and still getting out and about, displaying in the Great Pavilion at The Chelsea Flower Show, and in the floral marquee at the Gardeners’ World Live Show. Nick has also been the President of The Cottage Garden Society, a position he took up in 2007.
Tickets for Nick Hamilton’s talk are on sale now. If you want to come to this special event, hurry up and order your tickets! Please send a stamped, addressed envelope to Katharine Deaville, 8 Hookley Close, Elstead, Godalming, Surrey, GU8 6JG. Tickets are £10 each for members of SHF affiliated societies when purchased in advance and £15 each for non-members. Please make cheques payable to Surrey Horticultural Federation. If we have any tickets left on the evening of the talk they will be sold for £15 on the door.
Renew Your Club or Society’s Membership of the Surrey Horticultural Federation Now!
If you’ve not done so already, it’s time to renew your Club or Society’s Membership of the Surrey Horticultural Federation. Membership runs from 1st January 2024 until the end of December 2024. Surrey Horticultural Federation membership is incredible value at just £10 per club, society, organisation, or group.
If your group is considering becoming a member of the Surrey Horticultural Federation, we would love you to join us! Whether you’re joining as a new member or renewing your membership, here’s a link to the Surrey Horticultural Federation invoice, please send this invoice to your group’s Treasurer to pay as soon as possible – thank you!
New Judges and Lecturers’ Lists are now available
All the clubs, societies, and groups that are fully paid up members of the Surrey Horticultural Federation receive a complimentary copy of the Surrey Guild of Judges and Lecturers’ List. These lists are updated every two years. Brand new electronic lists will be distributed via email in January 2024. Please make sure that we have an up to date email address for your Programme Secretary and Chairman – so our Membership Secretary, Katharine Deaville can send all the information to the correct person – thank you.
NB: We always try to avoid printing unless it’s strictly necessary; however, if you don’t have access to email and need a hard copy of these lists, please let us know and we will arrange this for you.
Is the Information on your Club’s Page Up to Date?
Please take a moment to check your horticultural society, gardening club, or association’s page is up to date and let me know of any corrections or any additional information you’d like me to add. Here’s a link to all our members’ pages.
If you’re unsure of what to list on your society’s page, here’s a link to Thursley Horticultural Society’s page for inspiration!
Do you have a Surrey Horticultural Federation Trophy, Shield, or Cup?
Do you have a Surrey Horticultural Federation Trophy, Shield, or Cup on loan from us that you’re not using? Please return these items, so we can offer all our unused trophies, shield, cups on loan to one of the Surrey Horticultural Federation’s other groups to award to their members.
If you’re interested in receiving one of our awards on loan, the following photo shows four trophies looking for a home. For further details of any of these awards, or if you have a trophy you’d like to return, please contact our Chairman, Janet Arm on 01252 783133.
Does your Club have a microphone system you’re not using?
Wonersh and District Garden Club need a microphone system. If any Club has a microphone system they no longer need, could they please contact Hilary Goodridge on 01483 535108. Thank you.
New Speaker Suggestion: Sarah Foss
Is your society or club looking for a new speaker? Sarah Foss gives three gardening talks, ‘The value of Earthworms for gardeners’, ‘Flowers for Urban Wildlife’, and ‘The Magic of Houseplants’. Sarah charges £40 per 1 hour talk, plus travelling expenses, and the hire of a projector (if required). Sarah has previously given talks to Mitcham Horticultural Society and Wallington, Carshalton and Beddington Horticultural Society. She is happy to travel to clubs within a 10 miles radius from Sutton. Contact Sarah Foss via email thefosshouse@aol.com or call 07715 353 160.
Shamley Green Gardening Club are hosting an evening with Christine Walkden
Shamley Green Gardening Club are hosting an evening with Horticulturist & Plantswoman, Christine Walkden on Tuesday 5th March 2024. The licensed bar opens at 6.45pm; attendees need to be seated by 7.30pm at Longacre School Hall, Shamley Green, Surrey, GU5 0UQ. Tickets are £15 for non-members and £5 for members of Shamley Green Gardening Club. Please contact Aurelle Tomkins to buy tickets, email: aurelletomkins@gmail.com or telephone: 01483 892114.
Bunny Guinness will be showing Ewhurst Horticultural Society how to ‘Transform your Garden’
Ewhurst Horticultural Society are delighted to have secured Bunny Guinness to deliver a special talk in March 2024. Bunny Guinness is often on the TV and radio, she is a Chartered Landscape Architect of impeccable qualifications and experience, and is an acclaimed Chelsea multi-gold medal winner. After many years in private practice, Bunny set up her own design practice in 1986, which she now runs with her daughter, Unity. She has written a weekly gardening column for the Sunday Telegraph since 2000, writes regularly for Gardens Illustrated and the BBC Gardeners World magazine, and has been featured in numerous others. She has also published a number of highly acclaimed books on gardens and gardening, including one on Highgrove in collaboration with the then HRH Prince Charles. In addition to her design work which is very much her core business, Bunny has been a panelist on BBC Radio 4 Gardeners’ Question Time since 1998.
Bunny Guinness’ experience in the industry over several decades has included working on reclamation sites, renovation of inner city housing estates, planning appeals, sheltered housing schemes, pedestrian precincts, golf courses, farm and estate planting, public roof gardens and of course so many different private gardens. Her own garden in Cambridgeshire is a delightful embodiment of her style, an original but well-organised mixture of miniature ornamental farm, family garden, and plantsman’s paradise. Bunny opens her garden for the National Garden Scheme.
Ewhurst Horticultural Society say they can guarantee that Bunny’s talk will be highly entertaining, informative and inspiring!
Bunny Guinness will be joining Ewhurst Horticultural Society on Tuesday 26th March 2024 in Ewhurst Village Hall, the Street, Ewhurst, Cranleigh, Surrey, GU6 7PX, for a talk entitled, Transforming your garden. Doors open at 7.30pm, a bar is available, the talk starts at 8pm. Tickets are £15 each for non-members. To reserve your place, contact Anne (07980 122530), or Carole (273580) or email tickets@ewhursthortsoc.org.uk
RHS Hilltop – The Home of Gardening Science
Winter is a quieter time for gardeners, perhaps this is a good time for your members to visit RHS Hilltop. RHS Hilltop is the UK’s first dedicated horticultural scientific centre of excellence that aims to protect the future of plants, people, and the planet, and it’s open to the public at RHS Garden Wisley.
RHS Hilltop houses three research laboratories, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for collaborative research. The building is now home to a team of about 70 advisors, scientists, and PhD students, all focusing on finding solutions to the key environmental challenges that gardeners face. Find more information about Hilltop on the Royal Horticultural Society’s website.
Free Talks at RHS Hilltop
The RHS give two talks every day at RHS Hilltop – these are free – they are included in your entry free (free for RHS members). Discover the Royal Horticultural Society’s full programme of talks at Hilltop by clicking this link.
The spacious atrium at RHS Hilltop is host to a permanent exhibition that demonstrates the benefits of gardens for wellbeing and gives tips for creating garden spaces that improve the natural environment in a changing climate. Displays and interactive exhibits share the RHS’s latest research.
The RHS Herbarium at Hilltop
The RHS Herbarium holds the UK’s largest collection of cultivated plants, with more than 86,000 dried plant specimens. Visitors will see the RHS herbarium specialists at work preparing specimens. There’s also the opportunity to take a behind-the-scenes tour into the Royal Horticultural Society’s collections and scientific laboratories.
Over 86,000 dried plant specimens are housed inside the Royal Horticultural Society’s state-of-the-art Herbarium, a controlled environment where temperature and light are strictly regulated. The new digitisation suite allows the RHS to share their nationally important collection online.
RHS Hill Top Opening Hours
Monday – Sunday
Mar – Oct, 10am – 5.45pm (last entry 5.15pm)
29 Oct – Feb, 10am – 4.15pm (last entry 3.45pm)
(During Glow 10am – 3.15pm; last entry 3pm)
The RHS Library at RHS Garden Wisley
The new building at Hilltop allows visitors to see more of the Royal Horticultural Society’s collection of botanical art, horticultural books, and records. RHS Wisley’s library, archives, and the herbarium are here too. The purpose-built space will preserves these precious resources (many date back hundreds of years) for future generations to learn from the most complete record of the UK’s horticultural heritage.
Everyone is welcome to browse the library collections and members can borrow books from the lending library. Find out more about the Royal Horticultural Society’s new Library at Hilltop in this article on the RHS website.
Dougie Crouch
Sadly, we’ve heard the news that Dougie Crouch passed away on 3rd December 2023. Dougie Crouch was a very respected Judge with a great knowledge of vegetables and flowers; he trained some of our present day judges, passing on his expertise.
New Topics for Speakers
Are there any topics you’re looking for a speaker to give a talk on? Let me know and we’ll try and put you in contact with an expert on your desired topic. All the clubs that are paid up members of the Surrey Horticultural Federation receive the Surrey Guild of Judges and Lecturers’ Speakers List and Judges List – please make sure we know the correct person to direct this information to – thank you.
Speaker Feedback
Has a speaker given a talk to your society over the past few months? Please share your confidential feedback by emailing me your thoughts, both positive and negative on the speakers you’ve heard and I will share your feedback privately (via email) with the other clubs that are members of the SHF – thank you. My email is beth@pumpkinbeth.com.
NB: Speaker feedback is private and confidential and is not to be shared with anyone other than your group’s programme secretary.
Publicising Your Club or Society’s Events
If your club or society is a fully paid up member of the Surrey Horticultural Federation, I will be delighted to add your society or club’s events to our website. Please email me, beth@pumpkinbeth.com. To successfully publicise your event, I need to know:
- What date your event takes place.
- What time your event starts.
- Where your event is held.
- What type of event you’re holding? If it’s a talk, please let me know the name of the speaker and their talk title.
- Finally, I need to know the entrance fee for non-members and visitors.
Do You Have Anything You Would Like Me to Add to the Next Surrey Horticultural Federation Newsletter?
If you are a member of the Surrey Horticultural Federation and you have something you would like me to add to the next newsletter, please contact me, Beth Otway, the Surrey Horticultural Federation’s Website & Events Secretary, my email is beth@pumpkinbeth.com.
On behalf of our Chairperson Janet Arm, Our Membership Secretary and Treasurer, Katharine Deaville, and all the Surrey Horticultural Federation Council, I’d like to send you our very best wishes for a happy new year!
Kind regards
Beth
Beth Otway
Website & Events Secretary
Surrey Horticultural Federation
Upcoming Events:
| January 2024 | ||||
| Wed 17-Jan-2024 | Summer Bulbs: a talk by Kevin Tooher | Sandhurst & District Gardening Club | Julie Sheppard | 07711 056 815 |
| Wed 17-Jan-2024 | Home and Garden: a talk by Paul Whittle | Onslow Village Garden Club | Mrs Anne Bradbeer | 01483 563421 |
| Thu 18-Jan-2024 | The World of Alpines: a talk by Jon Evans | New Society Gardening Club (Camberley) | Sarah Wesley | 07400 850876 |
| Thu 18-Jan-2024 | Plant Propagation by Geoff Hawkins | Churt Horticultural & Produce Society (CHAPS) | Mandy Martin | |
| February 2024 | ||||
| Fri 2-Feb-2024 | The Wild Gardener: a talk by Julie Verity | Woodham & New Haw Horticultural Club | Louise Clubley | 07843 962421 |
| Fri 2-Feb-2024 | Fruit for a Small Garden: a talk by Jim Arbury | Lightwater Gardening Club | Ms. Lynn Bull | 01276-502497 |
| Sat 3-Feb-2024 | Growing Redhill Merstham Planters Working Party at Merstham Train Station | Growing Redhill | Karen Murray | 01737 903086 |
| Tue 6-Feb-2024 | Plant Heritage Surrey Group AGM, Flower of the Meeting Prize, Raffle, Photographic Competition & Prize Giving | Plant Heritage, Surrey Group (NCCPG) | Wendy Bentall | 01276-858256 |
| Wed 7-Feb-2024 | How to grow Alliums and the best varieties to grow: a talk by Jackie Currie | Ewhurst Horticultural Society | Mrs. Anne Dyball | 07980 122530 |
| Wed 7-Feb-2024 | Tales from the Potting Shed: a talk by Jean Griffin | Wonersh and District Garden Club | Mrs. H. Goodridge | 01483-535108 |
| Sat 10-Feb-2024 | National Vegetable Society Surrey District Association AGM | National Vegetable Society (NVS) Surrey District Association | Beth Otway | |
| Mon 12-Feb-2024 | Bulbs: a talk by Jo Woodland from Direct Bulbs | Shalford, Peasmarsh and Chilworth Garden Club | Rosa Bond | 01483 539260 |
| Tue 13-Feb-2024 | Arundel Castle Gardens: a talk by Martin Duncan | Witley Gardening Association | Christine Cox | |
| Wed 14-Feb-2024 | Gardening for Wildlife: a talk by Anna Ribo | East Grinstead Horticultural Society | Helen Gabrielides | |
| Wed 14-Feb-2024 | Sweet Peas: a talk by Darren Everest | Grayshott Gardeners | Sue Wheeler | 07719 457821 |
| Thu 15-Feb-2024 | Small Spaces Big Ideas: a talk by Simon Horrill | New Society Gardening Club (Camberley) | Sarah Wesley | 07400 850876 |
| Thu 15-Feb-2024 | Solving Problems in the Garden: a talk by Geoff Peach | Churt Horticultural & Produce Society (CHAPS) | Mandy Martin | |
| Thu 15-Feb-2024 | Getting the Garden Ready for Spring: a talk by Andy Morris | Banstead Horticultural Society | Mrs. Diana Beck | 01737-271243 |
| Mon 19-Feb-2024 | Bat Ecology and Conservation | Brockham Green Horticultural Society | Ruth Johnson | 01737 842691 |
| Mon 19-Feb-2024 | National Trust Gardens: a talk by David Hunt | Basingstoke Horticultural Society | Mr. Philip Wraight | 01256-324185 |
| Wed 21-Feb-2024 | AGM & Wellington College & Grounds: a talk by Mark Dodd | Sandhurst & District Gardening Club | Julie Sheppard | 07711 056 815 |
| Wed 21-Feb-2024 | Chiddingfold Horticultural Society Membership Renewal & Talk | Chiddingfold Horticultural Society | Georgia Lacey | 01428 683120 |
| Wed 21-Feb-2024 | Wildflowers of the Chalk by Peter Wakeham | Wallington, Carshalton and Beddington Horticultural Society | Christine Hockham | 01243 824726 |
| Sat 24-Feb-2024 | Water in the garden and behind the scenes: a talk by Charlie Dimmock | Banstead Horticultural Society | Mrs. Diana Beck | 01737-271243 |
| March 2024 | ||||
| Fri 1-Mar-2024 | Woodham & New Haw Horticultural Club AGM & Speaker | Woodham & New Haw Horticultural Club | Louise Clubley | 07843 962421 |
| Fri 1-Mar-2024 | Growing Vegetables in a Small Garden: a talk by Geoff Hawkins | Lightwater Gardening Club | Ms. Lynn Bull | 01276-502497 |
| Sat 2-Mar-2024 | Growing Redhill’s visit to St Katharine’s Garden | Growing Redhill | Karen Murray | 01737 903086 |
| Sat 2-Mar-2024 | Spring Pruning: a Workshop with David Hurrion | Grayshott Gardeners | Sue Wheeler | 07719 457821 |
| Sun 3-Mar-2024 | Surrey Guild of Horticultural Judges & Lecturers AGM | Surrey Guild of Horticultural Judges & Lecturers | Georgia Lacey | 01428 683120 |
| Tue 5-Mar-2024 | An Evening with Horticulturist & Plantswoman, Christine Walkden | Shamley Green Gardening Club | Mrs. A. Tomkins | 01483-892114 |
| Tue 5-Mar-2024 | Plant Heritage in-person & Zoom talk: ‘Trees, A Cut Above The Rest’ a talk by Tony Kirkham | Plant Heritage, Surrey Group (NCCPG) | Wendy Bentall | 01276-858256 |
| Wed 6-Mar-2024 | Shrubs; Discover the Perfect Plant in your Garden: a talk by Andy Mcindoe | Wonersh and District Garden Club | Mrs. H. Goodridge | 01483-535108 |
| Wed 13-Mar-2024 | How to Grow Hardy Exotics in the UK: a talk by Graham Blunt from Plantbase | East Grinstead Horticultural Society | Helen Gabrielides | |
| Wed 13-Mar-2024 | Creating a Jungle Garden in the UK Climate: a talk by David Hurrion | Witley Gardening Association | Christine Cox | |
| Wed 13-Mar-2024 | Trees: a cut above the rest: a talk by Tony Kirkham, former Head of Arboretum at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew | Grayshott Gardeners | Sue Wheeler | 07719 457821 |
| Wed 13-Mar-2024 | The Joy of Giant Pumpkin Growing: a talk by Matt Peskett | National Vegetable Society (NVS) Surrey District Association | Beth Otway | |
| Sat 16-Mar-2024 | Women Gardeners of the 20th Century | Brockham Green Horticultural Society | Ruth Johnson | 01737 842691 |
| Sun 17-Mar-2024 | Barnsdale after Geoff (1996-present day): a talk by Nick Hamilton | Surrey Horticultural Federation | Ms. Beth Otway | |
| Sun 17-Mar-2024 | Growing Redhill Planters Working Party Reigate | Growing Redhill | Karen Murray | 01737 903086 |
| Mon 18-Mar-2024 | The story of Worthy Earth at Dummer Down Farm | Basingstoke Horticultural Society | Mr. Philip Wraight | 01256-324185 |
| Wed 20-Mar-2024 | The London Garden Society: a talk by Andrew Babicz | Wallington, Carshalton and Beddington Horticultural Society | Christine Hockham | 01243 824726 |
| Thu 21-Mar-2024 | Plants for Free: a talk by Keith Hine | New Society Gardening Club (Camberley) | Sarah Wesley | 07400 850876 |
| Thu 21-Mar-2024 | Growing Roses: a talk by Jacqueline Aviolet | Churt Horticultural & Produce Society (CHAPS) | Mandy Martin | |
| Fri 22-Mar-2024 | Surrey Gardens: a talk by Cherrill Sands | Banstead Horticultural Society | Mrs. Diana Beck | 01737-271243 |
| Sat 23-Mar-2024 | Group Meeting for East Surrey Horticultural Societies | Growing Redhill | Karen Murray | 01737 903086 |
| Sun 24-Mar-2024 | Growing Growing Redhill Merstham Planters Working Party at Merstham Train Station | Growing Redhill | Karen Murray | 01737 903086 |
| Tue 26-Mar-2024 | Transforming your garden: a talk by Bunny Guinness | Ewhurst Horticultural Society | Mrs. Anne Dyball | 07980 122530 |
| April 2024 | ||||
| Wed 3-Apr-2024 | Leatherhead Horticultural Society Spring Show & AGM | Leatherhead Horticultural Society | Mr. Euan Niven | 01372-279079 |
| Fri 5-Apr-2024 | Lightwater Gardening Club Daffodil Show | Lightwater Gardening Club | Ms. Lynn Bull | 01276-502497 |
| Fri 5-Apr-2024 | Alternatives to Peat: a talk by Ray Broughton | Woodham & New Haw Horticultural Club | Louise Clubley | 07843 962421 |
| Sat 6-Apr-2024 | Wonersh & District Garden Club’s Spring Show | Wonersh and District Garden Club | Mrs. H. Goodridge | 01483-535108 |
| Sat 6-Apr-2024 | Churt Horticultural & Produce Society Spring Show | Churt Horticultural & Produce Society (CHAPS) | Mandy Martin | |
| Sat 6-Apr-2024 | Witley Gardening Association Spring Show | Witley Gardening Association | Christine Cox | |
| Sat 6-Apr-2024 | Banstead Horticultural Society Spring Flower Show | Banstead Horticultural Society | Mrs. Diana Beck | 01737-271243 |
| Sat 6-Apr-2024 | Ewhurst Horticultural Society Spring Show | Ewhurst Horticultural Society | Mrs. Anne Dyball | 07980 122530 |
| Sun 7-Apr-2024 | Growing Redhill Planters Working Party Reigate | Growing Redhill | Karen Murray | 01737 903086 |
| Wed 10-Apr-2024 | Pest Recognition & Control: a talk by Andrew Halstead | East Grinstead Horticultural Society | Helen Gabrielides | |
| Wed 10-Apr-2024 | Hardy Geraniums a talk by Jacqueline Aviolet | Grayshott Gardeners | Sue Wheeler | 07719 457821 |
| Wed 10-Apr-2024 | Companion Planting: a talk by Ray Broughton | National Vegetable Society (NVS) Surrey District Association | Beth Otway | |
| Thu 11-Apr-2024 | Plant Heritage in-person & Zoom talk: ‘Plants For Shade & Woodland’ a talk by Timothy Walker | Plant Heritage, Surrey Group (NCCPG) | Wendy Bentall | 01276-858256 |
| Sat 13-Apr-2024 | Growing Redhill Spring Seed Swap & Fun-day at Merstham Hub: Seeds swap, Plant sale, & Recruitment session | Growing Redhill | Karen Murray | 01737 903086 |
| Sat 13-Apr-2024 | Thursley Horticultural Society Spring Show | Thursley Horticultural Society | Mrs. Pat Clake | 01252-706869 |
| Sat 13-Apr-2024 | Grayshott Gardeners’ Spring Show | Grayshott Gardeners | Sue Wheeler | 07719 457821 |
| Mon 15-Apr-2024 | Plant Heritage and the National Plant Collection Scheme | Brockham Green Horticultural Society | Ruth Johnson | 01737 842691 |
| Mon 15-Apr-2024 | Hardy Geraniums: history & propagation: a talk by Jacqueline Aviolet | Basingstoke Horticultural Society | Mr. Philip Wraight | 01256-324185 |
| Tue 16-Apr-2024 | Shrubs: Discover the Perfect Plant for Every Place in your Garden: a talk by Andy McIndoe | Witley Gardening Association | Christine Cox | |
| Thu 18-Apr-2024 | Dahlias: how to grow and divide: a talk by Howard Cooper | New Society Gardening Club (Camberley) | Sarah Wesley | 07400 850876 |
| Sat 27-Apr-2024 | Ewhurst Horticultural Society Plant Sale | Ewhurst Horticultural Society | Mrs. Anne Dyball | 07980 122530 |
| Sun 28-Apr-2024 | Growing Redhill Merstham Planters Working Party at Merstham Train Station | Growing Redhill | Karen Murray | 01737 903086 |