This information was obtained from the Barham & District Horticultural Society website.

Society News & Events 2012

Take a look at what the society did in 2011.

Gardeners' Question Time with Steve Bradley

On Thursday 8 November Steve Bradley from Radio Kent came to the Hort. Soc. and 40 members questioned him about all things horticultural. His all-round knowledge was just amazing, and there was nothing he did not know. His friendly and relaxed manner encouraged also shy members to come forward with their problems and he was surrounded by many of our members long after the official question session finished still answering questions.The evening was much enjoyed and finished with the usual refreshments and a very lively chat, not only about honey fungus, vine weevils, nematodes and the like!

Steve is a well-known garden writer and particularly popular with those who listen to Radio Kent on Sunday morning where he regularly answers listeners' questions on a live phone-in basis. He has written several books, has been involved in planning medal-winning exhibits for Chelsea and Hampton Court and lectures at several colleges to pass on his vast knowledge on all things green.

Autumn Show 1 September 2012 (View the gallery)

This year's Autumn show was a great success with an increased number of entries and new members exhibiting for the first time. The judges were very pleased with the high quality of entries; lovely vegetables, fruits and colourful flowers were on show. Many visitors came and enjoyed the display, meeting up with friends at the same time over a cup of tea. Take a look at some of the photos in the gallery.

Our January speaker Bob Gibbons

Our January speaker Bob Gibbons
Bob Gibbons

Our January speaker Bob Gibbons is a renowned botanist and photographer based in Dorset. He has travelled much of the world in search of wildlife and led many nature tours. To date he has written or co-authored 35 book titles including Wild Flowers of Britain and Europe and Wild France.

His talk – Most Flowery Places in the World - on Thursday, 24th January at 7.30 p.m. in Kingston Barn will be based on his book Wildflower Wonders of the World. From the Mojave Desert in the USA to the Italian Dolomites, and South Africa's Cape National Park to the Stirling Ranges of Australia, Wildflower Wonders of the World showcases the most spectacular displays of wild blooms on the planet.

Coach Outing to Wakehurst Place, 14 July 2012

Members enjoyed their coach outing to Wakehurst Place despite heavy rains at times. The gardens were beautiful and there were many interesting features to look at. Many members visited the seed bank as well as the Mansion and found shelter from the rain in the restaurant and well-stocked shop.

Coach Outing to Wakehurst Place, 14 July 2012

Coach Outing to Wakehurst Place, 14 July 2012

Coach Outing to Wakehurst Place, 14 July 2012

Coach Outing to Wakehurst Place, 14 July 2012
The coach arrived back safely at 5.30 pm after a smooth journey, again in very heavy rain.

Summer Show 7 July 2012 (View the gallery)

This year's Summer Show was a great success. We had a high number of exhibits and and the show was well attended in the afternoon. Vistiors enjoyed the colourful display as well as a cup of tea and a piece of home-made cake. Take a look at some of the photos in the gallery.

Womenswold Garden opening 23 / 24 June 2012

Womenswold Garden opening was a great success. 426 people enjoyed an afternoon in Womenswold, looking at the gardens, the exhibition in the church and indulged in delicious home-made cakes and one or two cups of teas.

Monies raised are shared between the church and the NGS and a very big thank you goes to all those who supported the event, especially to all the helpers who made this event possible.

Marshborough Farm Gardens Visit Saturday, 16 June 2012

29 members of the Horticultural Society went to Marshborough Farm gardens on Saturday and thoroughly enjoyed the guided tour through the garden by their passionate and enthusiastic owners. The garden has a great variety of trees and shrubs, is divided in several rooms, the main part of the garden being a walled garden with a beautiful pond, alpine garden and wonderful borders. The tour finished with a cup of tea and a piece of home-made cake in front of the conservatory and many members expressed the wish to go back in September when the Salvias are at their best, another special interest of the owners. The weather was kind and it was a very enjoyable afternoon.

Kent Garden Show Neame Cup Update 05 June 2012

The result of the competition was : Barham lost with 15 1/2 points against the Hardy Plant Society with 16 points. Very narrow result!

The match was fought in a friendly atmosphere with plenty of laughs and the audience was involved too by helping to answer some of the questions and by supporting their teams. The competitors had the choice of RHS booklets on various horticultural themes as a prize.

Everybody enjoyed themselves and it was decided to have another go next year!

Neame Cup teams at the Kent Garden Show
The team in action at the Kent Garden Show

Neame Cup teams at the Kent Garden Show
The teams and the judges at the Kent Garden Show

Coach outing RHS Wisley

42 members of the Horticultural Society visited the RHS Garden in Wisley on 16th May. Being lucky with the weather they enjoyed the sunshine and the many flowering Rhododendrons and Azaleas and in particular the rockeries with their water features and the alpine houses, many members inspected the vegetable beds and green houses. After a visit to the Plant Centre and shop the coach returned to Barham in good time and laden with plants.

Coach outing RHS Wisley

Coach outing RHS Wisley

Coach outing RHS Wisley

Talk on Alpines By Dr. G. Reagan, National Alpine Society

40 members of the Hort Soc. enjoyed the talk on Alpines. Dr Gill Reagan gave a power point presentation on alpines growing in various parts of the world ranging from very rare ones to those many of us know and love. She grows alpines in her own garden at Frith Old Farmhouse in Otterden which will be open to the public on 6th May and 20th May. Details in the NGS leaflet.

Spring Show and Plant Sale - 31th March 2012 (View the gallery)

The hall looked lovely with all those different daffodils and beautiful spring flowers. The Cakes with imaginative Easter Decorations were much admired and there were very positive and kind comments made by the judges about the quality of the exhibits.

This was only the second Spring show of the Society and the Committee hopes that participation will increase again next year. The annual Plant Sale took place at the same time and made about £280. Take a look at some of the photos in the gallery.

The winning lemon sponge cake with springtime decoration
The winning lemon sponge cake with springtime decoration.

The well attended plant sale made about £280.
The well attended plant sale made about £280.

'Showing Daffodils' by Janine Doulton

On Thursday 22nd March 30 members attended the lecture 'Showing Daffodils' by Janine Doulton, National Judge for Daffodils and members of the RHS trials. Members learned what to look out for in a perfect specimen and how to prepare the flower to be shown, how to choose the vase, how to place the flower properly and in the right order.

Janine gave also an interesting insight into showing and judging on a national level and the evening was entertaining and much enjoyed by members.

This evening had been organised in preparation for the forthcoming Spring Show which will take place on Saturday, 31st March, 10.30 in the Barham Village Hall and is combined with the Plant Sale.

3rd Round Neame Cup Update 20 February 2012

The team of the Barham & District Horticultural Society won their match against the team of the Lower Hardres and Nackington Gardening Society by 2 points, i.e. 52 against 50.

It was a friendly and closely fought match and the evening was finished off with a cup of tea and delicious refreshments.

Neame Cup Team 2011-2012 Season Update

For the second round of the Neame Cup Competition our team met the expert team of Selling Gardening Society on Monday, 16th Jan at the Selling Village Hall.

The match was lost by 5 points, i.e. Barham 50 and Selling 55. The Selling team also won their first round match against Lower Hardres/Nackington.

The match was fought in good spirits and with many laughs and the evening finished with a cup of tea and some nice refreshments.

Third round will take place on 20th February 8.00 at the Kingston Barn against the Lower Hardres and Nackington Garden Society and members are invited to support our team.

Next EventThursday
4th April

'Jungle Garden'
Illustrated talk by Philip Oostenbrink. Jungle Garden

Thursday 4th April 7.30pm
Directions to Barham Village Hall »

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