This is the wonderfully decorated Lowdham Horticultural Society Christmas tree which was one of the trees in the St Mary’s Church Lowdham, ‘Community Christmas Tree Festival’ held on the 7th & 8th December 2013. The church looked magnificent, filled with Christmas trees entered in the festival which was supported by local people, groups, societies and businesses.

We would like to thank all those who have supported and attended our events this year and we wish everyone a merry Christmas and a happy, peaceful and healthy New Year 2014.

To ‘reap’ the benefits of this offer you must be a member of the society. However, it is so easy to join the society to obtain this and many other benefits such as subsidised coach trips, evening visits and free evening talks.

We offer all our members a 50% discount off plants and seeds ordered through the society which we then order from Suttons seeds. Additionally, we offer a 10% discount off other gardening items and equipment in their catalogues.

If as a member you placed an order last year, we will be sending you the catalogues and order forms again this year. If you have joined the society and have not previously ordered through the scheme and would like to do so, please let us know and we will send you the catalogues.

We would appreciate your orders being placed with us by Monday 02nd December 2013.

So, strictly speaking, keep planting and sowing………………………………well, I think that’s right!

Well, sorry for the delay in uploading this ‘blog’, but we’ve been trying to reinstate our home after the ‘never to be forgotten’ awful storm which occurred here in the village on Tuesday 23 July. So, moving on, what a show, the sun shone, the crowds came and created a wonderful village atmosphere which we hope was enjoyed by all who attended. Thank you to all those people who made the show a success by participating in some way and coming along to relax, see the entertainment on show and even join the continuous queues for ice cream!

The marquee looked and smelled fabulous. The young people excelled themselves again, with imaginative and creative entries. Our handicrafts section demonstrated people’s skills and talents. The photographic section, growing in entries each year was as popular as ever. In fact the village hall seemed to be full of chatter all afternoon as visitors enjoyed teas, cobs and homemade cakes. We also had a ‘hog roast’ this year to tempt visitors.Numerous attractions included the following; Carlton Brass, punch and judy, the amazing Dako Flying Angels (see photo to this blog), many stalls and exhibits and this year, the popular pony rides.

The presentation of trophies and awards was followed by the ever popular and lively auction with our fantastic auctioneer doing a great job.

We would love to hear your views of the show and any suggestions as to how we can continue to improve it in the coming years. Please send us your comments.

Gosh, yet another wonderful event held on a glorious summer evening, albeit inside the pleasant Lowdham W I hall. The event was very well attended by over 40 people, including members and pleasingly some new members of the society. The provision of a lovely buffet, wine and other drinks was most welcome, giving those attending nourishment to ‘tackle’ the horticultural quiz (quite relaxed and informal really). The time and effort taken by Nicola (our Chairperson) in compiling the quiz were very much appreciated. We were advised of forthcoming talks and visits planned for this year and some which we hope to organise for next year. Hopefully, this will generate further the increasing interest in the society. We also managed to get the names of ‘volunteers’ who have agreed to help at this years August Show. If you were unable to attend the summer social and would like to help at the show you may contact us through the website, Facebook or even Twitter. If not, we hope you are able to attend the show and this year, just maybe, enter some of your vegetables, fruit or other produce in the show. The subjects in the increasingly popular photographic competition are; Markets, Country Lanes, Celebrations and Trees. So come on ‘get snapping’. Well, you’ll be pleased to note ‘that’s all for now’!

We enjoyed a most pleasant balmy summer evening wandering around the 1 acre garden belonging to Kate and Peter who provided help and advice with regard to the garden, trees, shrubs and plants. Towards the end of the visit we were provided with a selection of ‘nibbles’, delicious cake, coffee, tea and wine, which was most welcome. The garden includes many interesting plants, mature trees and shrubs with interesting sections and quiet corners. Altogether it was another most rewarding visit which was well supported by a considerable number of society members and others who joined us for the evening. The garden (Charnwood) may be found in the ngs (gardens open for charity), Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire 2013 booklet – page 29. The garden is well worth a visit.

A selection of photos from the evening may be found within the gallery section of our website.