Rhydlewis Gardening Club Produce Show.

 

Raffle underway

The Rhydlewis Gardening Club holds their Produce Show every August; with flower, vegetable and homecraft exhibits open to all gardeners (crafters and bakers, too). It's only £2 to enter, no matter how many entries you bring, and Club Members enter absolutely free of charge. This year it was held on Saturday 19th August during the day, rather than the show opening in the evening. We think it's good to ring the changes occasionally, to see what people think, and what they prefer. 

I do think everyone would have preferred it if Storm Betty hadn't arrived the night before. Jim and I had to saw up a fallen tree up before we could set out; it was blocking a vehicle lane. Having done that, I was very grateful that I'd collected my entries the day before. People arriving told stories of flattened dahlias, battered roses and ground too soggy to dig up their potatoes. Even so, these setbacks failed to hamper club members and village gardeners from showing their prize produce.

Gardeners are always at the mercy of the weather and they had battled thought the winds and rain to gather in the best of their crops to display at this annual summer show.

Excitement at the Auction

Judges Bob and Rannveig Wallis were kept very busy pouring over all the fantastic exhibits on show and the prizes were keenly fought over. Bob and Rannveig are renown collectors and growers of dwarf bulbs – some of the members travelled to their garden in the summer to see both their glasshouses and the garden itself (and, of course partake of tea and cake courtesy of Rannveig's kitchen). Incidentally, at the end of this month, they will give a talk illustrated with a screen presentation, of their travels to exotic locations in search of colourful plants suitable for British gardens. They have travelled extensively in areas where bulbs grow, and both judge and show their displays, as well as sell them online.

 In the afternoon, people poured in to find out who had won and who had taken part.

Bob and Rannveig gave out the prizes, including a new prize category, in memory of our late Chairperson, Liz Blackler. Liz spend her life in dedication to art and craftwork, so the new prize awards excellence in these fields.

Refreshments were eagerly consumed and a raffle enjoyed. 

The traditional lively auction of produce then took place.  

It all made for a very enjoyable day.

Show Results.

Challange Prize for Most points gained in Fruit and vegetable Classes: Janette Sharman

JT Memorial Award for Best Onion: Janette Sharman

Best exhibit in Show in fruit and vegetable Classes: Marj Fogg

D&G Williams Prize for most points in Homecraft Classes: Marj Fogg

Floral Challange Prize for most points gained in Flower and Floral Art Classes: Gwen Thomas

The Liz Blacker memorial Award for most points gained in Arts and Craft: Carrie Davies and Erica Knight

1. 4 White Potatos 1st. Janette Sharman 2nd. Marion Rathbone.
   

2. 4 Coloured Potatos 1st.Janette Sharman

3. 3 Beetroot 1st. Carrie Davies

4. 3 Carrots 1st.Carrie Davies 2nd. Marion Rathbone

5. 3 Courgettes 1st. Janette Sharman 2nd. Melanie Heath

6. 4 Runner Beans 1st. Jim Milton 2nd. Erica Knight

   

7. 3 Onions 1st. Janette Sharman 2nd. Carrie Davies

8. 5 Shallots 1st. Carrie Davies 2nd. Jim Milton

9. 4 Tomatos 1st. Marj Fogg 2nd.Carrie Davies

10. 5 Cherry Tomatos 1st.Carrie Davies 2nd. Melanie Heath

11. 1 Cucumber 1st. Marj Fogg 2nd. Janette Sharman

12. Longest Runner Bean 1st. Janette Sharman 2nd. Marion Rathbone

13. Best Comic Vegetable 1st. Janette Sharman 2nd. Jim Milton

14. 
    
    Collection of 6 vegetables in basket 1st. Janette Sharman

15. Bunch of 5 mixed herbs 1st. Janette Sharman 2nd. Gwen Thomas

16. 3 Cooking Apples 1st. Gwen Thomas 2nd. Jim Milton

17. 3 Dessert Apples 1st. Gwen Thomas 2nd. Jim Milton

    
    

    18 Wild Blackberries 1st. Jim Milton 2nd. Marion Rathbone

18. 

19. Vase of 3 Dahlias 1st. Marj Fogg

20. Vase of 3 Hyrangeas 1st. Janette Sharman 2nd. Jim Milton

21. Vase of 6 Sweet Peas 1st. Anne Tod 2nd. Michelle Brown

22. Vase of 6 Garden Flowers 1st. Michele Brown 2nd. Sally Hall

23. A single Rose judged on its perfume 1st. Gwen Thomas 2nd. Anne Tod

24. A gentlemans buttonhole 1st. Gwen Thomas 2nd. Gwen Thomas

25. A Lemon Meringue Pie 1st. Marj Fogg

26. A loaf of Brown or White Bread 1st. Marj Fogg 2nd. Marj Fogg

27. A Carrot Cake 1st. Marj Fogg 2nd. Nina Milton and Gwen Thomas

28. 
    A decorated novelty cake No entries

29. 3 White or tinted hens eggs 1st. Anne Tod 2nd. Anne Tod

30. Any other domesticated Birds egg No entries

31. 1 Jar of Jam/Jelly 1st. Frank Blades 2nd. Gwen Thomas and Frank Blades
    

32. 1 Jar of Chutney 1st. Nina Milton 2nd. Gwen Thomas

33. 

    A handmade Soft Toy 1st. Erica Knight 2nd. Erica Knight

34. A small article made of Wood No entries

35. A Photograph of a Summer Landscape 1st. Erica Knight 2nd. Erica Knight

36. Childs class An edible Necklace
    

37. 1st. Georgia Heath

Many thanks to Barry Adams (of Debbies Jewellery Newcastle Emlyn) for his fabulous photography

Hafod Estate; a Picturesque Landscape

Walled Garden, Hafod

 
On Friday 25th August a small group of us went up to the Hafod estate, a Georgian park not far from Devil's Bridge, particularly to see the Walled Garden, and the flower gardens.

In the late 18th century, Thomas Johnes built a new house in this remote location and laid out its grounds with circuit walks, allowing the visitor to enjoy a succession of views and experiences. These have been recreated after the house was demolished and the estate forgotten. It is valued as having one of the most picturesque vistas in Europe (according to the National Trust).

This was my second visit; I'd followed the 'Weatherman Walking' trail around the 200 hectare estate some years ago. We walked the trails to find its house ruins, the still-functioning church, the secret, roaring waterfall and the spectacular viewing points, from which you can see the sleepy river Ystwyth, forests, meadows and grazing sheep.  

The two acre walled garden must have looked wonderful in its day, supplying the busy kitchen with all the food it needed, but when a group of enthusiastic vegetable gardeners, included Malcom Berry, the 'Dreaded Gardener', took it over on a five year lease, it was in dreadful decline. They have worked hard in this beautifully sunny, enclosed space, to start growing for eating again.

We were greeted by Julie, who took us into one of the two large glass houses, where they had created a warm and comfy space for themselves to relax between bursts of gardening. She immediately made us all  'freshly ground coffee'. As we sipped, we asked her about the history of redeveloping the garden and she explained they were a 'Not for Profit Interest Company’. Wordy, but basically comprising six directors, with a passion and interest in gardening, but also a commitment to the financial responsibilities. "We didn't expect to be directors of anything!" she said. "But we hoped for outcomes to  the project. We like to think we're promoting  gardening as a healthy outdoor recreation for all ages. We want to be part of educating people so they can share these practices with their families, friends, and neighbours. We're conserving open space and wildlife habitat for the benefit of future generations and welcome children – in fact, my daughter and granddaughter will be arriving later."

They also hope to provide support for community members with special needs, so they too can experience the joys of community gardening, too. 

    These gardeners value their connection to the land. They use innovative organic gardening practices that enrich the soil, and our food.

    "Our first setback was to discover that the soil had dangerous amounts of lead in it; above the safe limit. Which meant that any edibles that grew in the soil (like brassicas and roots) were not safe to eat. Fruits were fine; so the apple trees, as well as legumes, tomatoes, aubergines, pepper and cucumbers, could be eaten."

That seemed like too big a blow to me, but it hadn't phased the gardeners at Hafod.

    "We've taken up the no-dig method, laying cardboard and then bringing in quality composts and soil improvers. We've created a compostable loo and use raised beds, especially inside the poly tunnel and glasshouse."

Even so, a lot of work is involved, and a team of around 6 meet regularly. They are hoping to start veg boxes soon, to supplement the grants they have received. 

We toured the garden. All around the edge are ancient heritage apple trees, and the group hope to do an apple pressing this autumn. Although the no-dig beds are fairly new, they are respondent with leeks, carrots, kale, and herbs. 

There were  cries of 'wow' as we got to the large polytunnel, filled with produce and so colourful. In the centre, they are experimenting with the 'three sisters' method; that ancient South American way of planting sweet corn, encouraging runner beans up their stalks, and allowing courgettes to grow in the shade of their roots.

The pond has been dug and created by Malcom, and is already attracting wildlife.              "The pond is going be central to our sustainable thinking in the walled garden," Julie explained. "He's planted lilies and marginal plants. Already, there are water boatmen all over it in summer." 

After a picnic in the sun, we explored the grounds to find the two flower gardens. 

Mrs Johnes' Flower Garden was begun in the 18th Century to feature plants from the Americas. By the 1930s, it  was overgrown, and in the 1950s it was further damaged by forestry activity. It has the most  wonderful  perimeter stone walls, which have been restored.The garden looks peaceful, and it is clear that it is being restored carefully, with some interesting planting. 

We then followed a tiny walkers' path up and up to a spectacular viewpoint.This is where we found  Marianne Johnes' garden. It is a walled garden on a south-facing precipice – a secret retreat and botanical space. No original plantings survive, although later exotic plants include ginkgo, yellow buck-eye and hiba, and now it is  filled with heather and ferns. Early in its history, it included a moss house and an ornamental urn by Thomas Banks, inscribed with sentimental verse by Samuel Rogers. 

We were quite pooped by the time we reached these dizzy heights, and the pretty white bench was perfect for a quick recovery.

You can see what the gardeners at the walled garden have been doing by going to their Facebook Page, which shows the spectacular harvest and the things they have for sale. Go to https://www.facebook.com/HafodWGG

The family were very interested in the natural world, and helped found the The Linnean Society of London in the 18th Century. This is the world’s oldest active society devoted to natural history. Founded in 1788 by Sir James Edward Smith (1759–1828), who was its first President, the Society takes its name from the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus (1707–1778) Some interesting details can be found here; https://linnean-online.org/63190/#?s=0&cv=0