MEMBERS held their monthly meeting at Stourbridge Institute on July 21, which was chaired by John Knight. He opened the meeting by welcoming both existing and new members and visitors, and said that the speaker for the night was Adrian James. He also announced that that the quiz for the Morgan Shield, that we hosted the previous Thursday, was won by Wollaston and the next round is in September hosted by Kinver.

President Eric Southall addressed the meeting and remarked on how well some vegetables are doing, particularly early potatoes and peas.

Adrian James gave a most interesting talk on creating a garden from scratch. He and his family moved from Kidderminster, where they had spent 20 years making their first garden, to a village near Evesham. The work took four to five years and he and his wife worked every hour they could when they were not engaged in their full-time jobs, they were also assisted sometimes by their children and grandchildren.

They have now created an exceptional half-acre garden, which is open for National Garden Scheme on August 16/17.

The monthly competition had 35 entries which is the largest number in 5 years.

The first prize winners in the monthly show where as follows: 3 Japanese onions (dressed) M Grice; 7 Garden peas J Boswell; 1 Cucumber J Boswell; 1 Summer cabbage J Knight; 5 Early potatoes J Knight; 3 Courgettes J Boswell; 7 Sweet peas G Langley; Display of 6 1” stalked pansies or violas J Boswell; Pot Geranium M Grice; 6 Jam tarts M Hodgin; 6 Butterfly cakes M Hodgin; John Knight closed the meeting, wished everyone a safe journey home, and hoped everyone had enjoyed the evening.

The next meeting will be held on August 18, which will be a talk entitled Duckpools, A Garden Divided by Adam Greathead. Adam takes us through his growing year from his own garden Duckpools, an eclectic mix of flowers, fruit and vegetables.

The group meets on the third Monday of each month at The Stourbridge Institute at 7pm for 7.30pm, when all visitors are welcome.

For further details phone 01384 828654.