The first Saturday in September saw the Annual Flower Show in Clent Parish Hall held jointly with Clent WI. A healthy turn out of Parishioners were treated to a splendid array of plants, vegetables and floral displays as Gardening Club members and others showed off their gardening prowess to great effect.

Not to be outdone there was also a healthy contribution of produce cakes and preserves from the WI members and a variety of local paintings and crafts were also on display. Some splendid Children’ exhibits and some excellent photography also featured. This year, for the first time, a marquee was erected at the rear of the village hall and the tombola and tea/cake stall sited there-in enjoyed a roaring trade.

All in all a most successful day and a worthy show to mark its 7th anniversary.

The September meeting of the club welcomed Nigel Hopes form Stourbridge to give a talk entitled “A Year at Birmingham Botanical Gardens”. Nigel gave a brief history of the gardens and then, with the aid of many excellent photographs, proceeded to give a behind the scenes insight into the daily and seasonal works required to maintain the gardens to the high standards to which the citizens of Birmingham have come to expect.

Many members present have visited these botanical gardens and, indeed, had previously enjoyed an evening visit by the Club when we were shown round by the former, now retired, director Philip Aubrey. As a result of Nigel’s talk a further visit may well be on the cards.

After a number of questions from the audience, the chairman thanked Nigel for his illuminating and entertaining talk before asking Nigel to draw the raffle and reminding members that the October meeting comprised a talk by Nigel’s wife Samantha on “Hellebores Grown at Ashwoods Nursery”.

All are welcome at our meetings which are held at Clent Village Hall on the fourth Friday each month and anyone interested in either joining or just visiting the club can get further details by visiting clentgardeningclub.wordpress.com or by contacting the chairman Martin Grange 01562 883009/07917 184762.