Hopefully everyone will be enjoying the fruits of their labour in their gardens during these summer months. It is important to take time to sit and enjoy the beauty of nature, be it in a garden bed, an allotment or just a container of plants on a balcony. Remember to keep deadheading your flowers to prolong their flowering period! There has also been a revival of interest in houseplants if outdoor space is at a premium.
We are delighted to be holding a Summer Show for the first time at The Hayling College on Saturday 9th July after a break of two years. The Virtual Shows were a great success but we are now looking forward to receiving actual entries again and everyone will have the opportunity to come along for a great afternoon out. In addition to the exhibits, there are delicious teas, a tombola and plant stall and much more.
We have a wide range of classes you might like to enter but the full schedule can be viewed on our website or in our Newsletter. In addition to the horticultural flower, plant and veg classes, there are classes for handicraft, cookery, photography, floral art and for our junior member. So have a look and see what inspires you.
Our Junior Classes are free to enter and a great chance for our Island’s budding young bakers, artists and gardeners to get involved in a community event and even better - prizes are awarded for each class. The classes are divided into two age groups: 4-8 yrs and 9-14 yrs and everyone entering will receive a certificate.
The Society has been very busy with volunteers getting involved in The Stead and Richie Garden in Mengham, and the Hayling Health Centre Gardens, alongside our involvement at all the local schools. Gardening Clubs are back up and running and volunteers are always welcome – even if just for a few hours here and there.
Looking forward, we have organized a Gardeners’ Question Time evening on Tuesday 27th September with a panel of experts to answer all your gardening questions. In addition, we are welcoming back John Geden from Sinah Common Honey to give a talk on Wednesday 26th October. He is a very popular speaker and will continue to advise and enlighten us on the importance of bees in our gardens and how we can encourage their numbers to grow. We will be offering delicious honey inspired refreshments afterwards. Finally, we are holding a Quiz Night and Fish Supper on Friday 11th November – it will have some gardening themes but horticultural knowledge will not be essential! All these events are held in the United Reformed Church Hall in Hollow Lane and full details can be found on our website and facebook page.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:
www.hihs.org.uk or admin@hihs.org.uk