Newsletter HPS - May 2022
HPS MIDDLESEX GROUP (HPSMG)
NEWSLETTER – MAY 2022
Dear Members
Ruislip Community Hut Plant Sale:
Warmer spring weather is here, at last! A timely reminder then that we have the Ruislip Community Hut Plant Sale this Saturday, 7 May, from 10.00 am to 12.30 pm. We hope members will come along and please spread the word to neighbours, friends and family etc. The next sale will be on Saturday, 11 June.
Group Speaker Meeting:
Our next Speaker Meeting is this Monday, 9 May from 7.30 pm when we look forward to welcoming two local speakers, Chris and Heather Danpure to talk to us about the fascinating topic of ‘Plants and Animals of Tropical Rain Forests’. As well as travelling far afield they have both also contributed professionally and voluntarily to our local area and they have sent us their resumes, below.
Chris Danpure: I am Emeritus Professor of Molecular Cell Biology at University College London. I have worked for many years on the causes of inherited kidney stone disease. I am now retired. My main interests now are travel and photography, especially landscapes and wildlife. Heather Danpure: I have a PhD in biochemistry from the University of London. I worked for a number of years as a radiobiologist for the Medical Research Council and then I changed careers to work as an OFSTED lay school inspector. In my spare time I have been a Governor at Vyners School, including a stint as Chair. In addition to travel and photography, my main interest is gardening.
HPS National Membership Renewals
For insurance purposes, I have received a reminder from HPS national office to up-date our membership list now for 2022. It is important that all members of The Hardy Plant Society Middlesex Group are also fully paid-up members for 2022 of the national Hardy Plant Society as they provide our annual insurance cover. Therefore, please ensure that you have renewed your national membership as we need to ensure each member is fully covered by our insurance for group meetings, outings etc. Please go to: https://www.hardy-plant.org.uk/for-members/membership/renew-membership
We are delighted that we now have 62 members of The Hardy Plant Society Middlesex Group and we hope to continue to grow, thrive and keep safe into the future.
TRIPS AND OUTINGS:
Lynn has recently returned from two successful group trips to Keukenhoff Tulip Festival & Floriade Expo 22 over in Holland and closer to home at Pashley Manor Tulip Festival, Pashley Manor Gardens. Hopefully she will tell us a little bit about them on Monday. Meanwhile, there are still places available for the June trip to Blenheim Palace Flower Show, so please get in contact by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like to join that trip, details below.
Wednesday 11 May 2022: Church Gardens, Harefield. Meet at the entrance at 11.00 am. A very local garden ‘in creation’ with a guided tour by, Kay, the owner and creator of the truly amazing gardens. A great opportunity to see the garden at this time of year and to follow the progress of this huge family project. The cost will be £10 for the guided tour and £3.00 for cake and beverages. Pay on the day direct to the hosts. Members will need to use their own cars or public transport for this trip. By CAR: follow the postcode UB9 6DU to Church Hill and enter down through the height restriction barrier into St Mary’s Church car park or outside the church. By BUS No 331 or U9 buses to Church Hill stop, then a 2 minutes’ walk. Meet at entrance at 11am.
Saturday, 4 June 2022: Eastcote House Gardens (EHG) Jubilee Fete and Picnic from 11.00 am to 4.00 pm: Eastcote House Gardens, Eastcote - Free Admission.
HPSMG will have a Plant and Information stall to promote awareness of the national Hardy Plant Society, but specifically our Middlesex Group and local membership benefits. Our member, Nitty Chamcheon, has very kindly volunteered to run the plant sale with Lynn for this event. However, any members who are able to volunteer to help on the day would be very welcome, even for a short while, so please let us know beforehand if you would be willing to help us. Otherwise, please visit us if you are attending the event, it is open to all visitors free of charge. Details of the event are on the EHG website: https://eastcotehousegardens.weebly.com/diary-dates.html
Friday, 24 June: Blenheim Palace Flower Show. Entrance fee and HCT transport costs to be confirmed. If you already have a Blenheim Palace annual pass entrance will be free. For more details of the show go to their website: https://www.blenheimflowershow.co.uk/
A Local Garden Course at Eastcote House Gardens:
We have been sent the information below which members may be interested in attending locally. It certainly looks like a fascinating course in a local venue. Please contact the organisers direct for any further information or enrolment.
Day School - Capability Brown
Organised by Workers Education Association (WEA) - Ruislip & Uxbridge Branch
Course Reference: C2423643
Tutor: Adam Smith
Course description: The day will examine how important Lancelot "Capability" Brown was as a landscape designer and how he managed to create so many parks across England. It will also set him in the context of mid-18th Century gardeners and owners.
Date & Time: Saturday 28th May 2022, 10:00 to 15:00
Venue: The Stables, Eastcote House Gardens, High Road, Eastcote HA5 2FE
Cost: £25 per student
Find out if you can attend for free
To enrol, please contact the WEA's Enrolment Line on 0300 303 3464. They will ask for the course reference number, which you can find above.
Includes refreshments and light sandwich lunch.
Additional information: As well as a car park at the venue, there is additional parking on the local roads behind the venue e.g. St Lawrence Drive.
Buses 282 and H13 stop by Eastcote House Gardens.
Meanwhile, we look forward to seeing you on Monday, 9 May at 7.30 pm and at our last meeting for the summer on Monday, 6 June 2022. Please bring along your own cup or mug as we are delighted we now have a very welcome volunteer, Sue, who will be helping us provide refreshments.
With best wishes,
The Hardy Plant Society Middlesex Group Committee
May 2022