VISITORS are always welcome on the first Monday of the month at Colwall Village Hall WR13 6EQ. We arrive from 7pm and a talk is given by a person well versed in their speciality at about 7.30. Arrive early, meet the members and enjoy a free cup of tea or coffee. While sipping your drink of choice join the group at the “Interest Points”; Garden Visits, What is it (plants)? Pests and Diseases, and Vegetables. Bring your questions, thoughts and examples to discuss with other interested members.

The meeting on May 4 was preceded by the Michael Jefferson-Brown Spring Flowering Bulb Competition. This was won against stiff opposition by Mary Roberts.

Jack Willgoss was the speaker. There was a good attendance, in excess of 80 members and visitors. The talk was entitled “The wonderful world of perennial violets”. It was a tour de force. Jack and wife Laura hold the UK’s largest collection of perennial and scented violas in their walled garden nursery, now with restored 1830 curvilinear glass house, north west of Ludlow at Millichope Park.

Jack and Laura met at college, fell in love and decided to garden. Their story is great; their plants are wonderful (you correspondent had to buy six on the night) and the variety of these hardy, perennial plants many with wonderful scents is immense. The illustrations were fine as was the advice and suggestions on how and where to use (and propagate) these versatile plants. As a “theatre”; usually auriculars take this stage; at front of borders; under planting roses; in pots with bulbs. The flowers may be crystallised and used as culinary decoration.

The end was a list and description of their personal Top 20. Of the thousands of examples they grow, their number 20 is Gladys Finley whilst number 1 is Josie.

On Monday May 2nd we welcome Steven Desmond who will let us into his secrets of successful Kitchen Gardening and, on May 16 7pm for 7.30 we have our first Gardeners Question Time. There will be an experienced panel of gardeners to answer your questions, with the whole event under the auspices as Chairman of Reg Moule. There is a £3 charge for all at this event.

Come early; make/meet friends and discuss your gardening interests and challenges. There are many experienced and knowledgeable gardeners who are happy to answer questions. New members joining now have their subscription, £12, paid to January 2017. Visitors are charged £4.

TIM BEAUMONT