I am pleased to be able to offer for sale Autumn sown Sweet Pea plants.

                                                       For this year I am offering a range of Spencer varieties - six plants in a pot @ £2.70.

  The Kent Federation of Horticultural Societies

      Founded 1938               Patron: The Lady Kingsdown OBE

  NEWSLETTER

   OCTOBER 2008

   Issue no. 138

   In This Issue

   Autumn Show Report / Pat’s Pantry Xmas Special,         100 Plus Club/ Musings of a travelling speaker/

   A weekend break,  and more ………………. 

I have been looking after the Autumn show for the last three years and each time I have been impressed by the enthusiasm and dedication of our exhibitors – they never let us down. This year’s growing conditions have been difficult to say the least, but still we had a magnificent display at Sutton Valence village hall to show off to our visitors. As usual it was the chrysanths and dahlias that provided the “wow” factor, but a very impressive display of vegetables, especially leeks, parsnips and onions, caused eyes to pop!

Also on show was a colourful array of fruit, other flowers and pot plants, not forgetting some very fine cookery and craft. Once again a disappointing number of societies took part in the inter-society classes. We have nearly 200 societies in the federation, it’s such a shame that only 4 entered. Come on you others, think about it for next year! A list of trophy winners is included elsewhere in this newsletter, but special mention should once again be made to teenager Jamie Filmer, who did so well to win two trophies. A wonderful achievement for one so young !

For the second year in succession BBC Radio Kent advertised the show on their Sunday Morning Gardening Show. It was hoped that the programme would be broadcast direct from Sutton Valence, but technical reasons prevented that from happening, although a 'Live' interview with our Show Manager, Richard Foreman did take place. Many of our visitors commented on hearing about the show on the radio, which was an added bonus. Jean Griffin, one of Radio Kent’s gardening experts attended the show later in the day and expressed her admiration at many of the exhibits and was very complimentary of the show in general.

Although there would be no show without our exhibitors, we also could not do it without our wonderful band of helpers who arrive early to help set up, and stay late to help take back down again. Thanks to you all, and a special mention to the ladies who keep us fed and watered throughout!

I have moved away from Kent now, so Roger Austin will be looking after the Autumn show next year. He’ll be looking for your support!

Last but not least a special thanks to my girl FRIDAY Sandra Foreman for all her help with the administration.

So it’s over to you Roger, and best wishes to you all.

Peter Waving

          Results of the July draw

1st -    £30.50    No.114    Mr. D. Rouse Frittenden

        2nd -. £18.30     No.91      Nailbourne Hort. Soc.

3rd -.  £12.20     No.26      Mr. A Maynard Tunbridge Wells

   Results of the August draw

1st -   £30.50      No.21     Mr. R. Cook  Hawkhurst

        2nd – £18.30      No.32     Mrs. S. O’Neill  Leybourne   

3rd -   £12.20      No.28     Acol Hort. Societ

 Results of the September draw

1st –   £30.50      No.103  Mr. M. Pursey  Wateringbury

2nd -   £18.30      No. 36  Mrs. S. Freethy  Halstead 

        3rd -   £12.20       No. 53  St. Margarets & District G.A. Dover 

        Congratulations to you all

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 Ex County Show use. Two dozen pale green poly-cotton single sheets. Ideal for society show bench use. Freshly laundered.

£2.00 each

Discount negotiable for 10 or more.

Interested ? Contact Jack Wilkins ( Treasurer ) 01474 822224 e-mail j.wilkinshorne@tiscali.co.uk

  SOLD

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The RHS has just published its new Show handbook. A vital tool and guide for Judges and all Show Secretaries. Price £7.95 (ex. p&p)  Obtainable from :-

RHS Enterprises Limited, Mail Order Department, RHS Garden Wisely 

Woking, Surrey  GU23  6QB

Phone: 0845 260 4505 ( 9.00-5.30 Mon-Fri )

Last August, Eastry Horticultural Society along with friends from Woodnesborough, Northbourne and River Gardeners, spent a wonderful weekend in Norfolk. Colin Coulson (E.H.S. Chairman) in conjunction with Crusader Holidays drew up an itinerary which included on the first day (Friday) a lunch stop at Southwold. This is a lovely, pleasant and peaceful seaside resort with its rows of coloured Beach Huts, fish & chips on the Pier, and deck chairs on the sand (didn’t hear a single Bingo Caller or Slot Machine). We spent the afternoon at Raveningham Gardens, with its superb 18^th Century walled kitchen garden, huge herbaceous borders and many varieties of Agapanthus. We received a very warm welcome from the gardeners and were offered free tea and biscuits in their Tearoom. It was lovely to visit a totally un-commercialised garden where you could wander at your own leisure and if you were tempted to buy a plant from the “Sales Table” you rang a bell and from the potting shed a gardener suddenly appeared to serve you.

On Saturday we spent most of the day at “Sandringham” House & Gardens. A bit disappointed that the Queen was not at home to welcome us but never the less we had a really lovely day. It was not possible to cover all 60 acres of the glorious gardens but we did try. We did however leave plenty of time to visit the “Museum”  and “Sandringham House” where we found an atmosphere of welcome and the Guides were extremely helpful. On our way back to the Hotel we made a brief stop at the “Norfolk Lavender Farm” to purchase a few little items for Christmas Presents.

On Sunday we spent the whole day at Bressingham Gardens & Steam Museum, where we had the opportunity to ride on the “Galloping Horses”, three different steam train rides and I fulfilled my childhood dream and rode on the footplate of a full size steam train. After visiting the “Dads Army Museum”  we spent the afternoon in the beautiful gardens, their borders were bursting with colour and crammed with interesting varieties and some quite rare specimen plants. Time went too quick I for one could have soaked up many more hours in this splendid garden.

A weekend we will all remember for a long, long time and would thoroughly recommend you put it on your visiting list. 

Colin Coulson, E.H.S.

 Xmas is coming and we won’t get fat !!

   MINCEMEAT

1lb Raisins, 1lb Sultanas, 1lb Currants, ½lb Mixed peel. 1lb Suet, 1lb of  prepared Apples,1lb dark brown moist Sugar, ¼lb Ground Almonds, one   heaped tablespoon Mixed Spice, Finely grated rind and juice of Two Lemons, Finely grated rind and juice of One Orange, One Wineglass of  Sherry, One Wineglass of Brandy, One Wineglass of Rum.

Put everything through a mincer except the Currants. Spoon everything into a large mixing bowl and thoroughly mix, either with your  fingers or a  wooden spoon, cover with a cloth. Stir occasionally over the next three days. The mixture will soak up the alcohol, add more if you wish. Pack into 454c / 1lb  jars to brimming. The contents will settle and subside a little .-    Then add a  wax disc and cover.

   CHRISTMAS PUDDING

4oz Raisins, 5oz Currants, 2oz Sultanas, 2oz Chopped Peel, 2oz Dark Brown Moist Sugar, 4oz Prepared Apple, 3oz Finely Grated Carrot, 2 Eggs, 3oz Brown Breadcrumbs, 3oz Plain Flour, Finely Grated Rind of ½ a Lemon, 3oz Suet, ½ Teaspoon Salt, One Heaped Dessert spoon Mixed Spice, 1Tablespoon Black Treacle, 2oz Ground Almonds, 3 Tablespoons Milk,  2 Tablespoons of Rum OR Brandy.

Mix all dry ingredients together, beat eggs and add to dry ingredients with the treacle and milk, mix well and finally stir in the alcohol. Pack into well buttered basin/basins. Cover with greaseproof paper disc and tie on cloth –  steam for six hours. When cooked, remove basin and stand on wood.  Remove covering and allow to cool. When cool you can add more alcohol if  wished . When thoroughly cold replace with a new greaseproof disc and clean dry cloth. Store in a cold dark place.                                                                                                            

CHRISTMAS CAKE

¾lb Plain Flour, ½lb Butter, ½lb Dark Brown Moist Sugar, 1lb Currants, ½lb Sultanas, ½lb Raisins, ¼lb Peel, ¼lb Ground Almonds, ¼lb Glacé Cherries, One Tablespoon Golden Syrup, One Tablespoon Black Treacle, One Level Tablespoon Mixed Spice, ¼ Teaspoon of Bicarbonate of Soda mixed with one Teaspoon of milk , 4 Eggs.

Beat Sugar, Butter and Syrup and Treacle to a cream, add Eggs one at a time. Mix all dry ingredients together and add to the creamed mixture. Lastly add the Milk and soda.  Grease a  9 inch cake tin, line bottom and sides with a good funnel, spoon in the mixture evenly, avoid pressing down. Bake for 3½ to 4 hours, bottom shelf of oven gas mark 2, 300F, 150C. Allow cake to cool in tin, then turn out and remove liners, when thoroughly cold, invert cake onto flat surface and spoon over with alcohol of your choice. Wrap cake immediately with Clingfilm, securing in the moisture, store inverted on a cold surface.

 GIANT PLUM PUDDINGS

Were made all round the country to celebrate the Jubilee of George the Third. A monumental pudding made at Paignton, South Devon, turned the scales at a ton and a half. Eight horses were required to draw it to the green. The ingredients included 600lbs flour, 400lbs of raisins, 400lbs suet 95lbs of sugar, 300 lemons, 166 nutmegs, and 360 quarts of milk. The cost was £45.00….! 

GOOD CHEER 

An ancient Rhyme Furnishes a list of delicacies which a housewife was expected to provide for the Christmas  festivities ………..Brawn Pudding and Souse, and Mustard with all Beef, Mutton, and Pork, Shred Pies of the best of Pig, Veal, Goose, and Capon ,and Turkey well dressed, Cheese, Apples, and Nuts; Jolly carols to hear…….and this, in the country, is reckoned GOOD CHEER.

 A GOOD DISH SPOILT

Is there a multi millionaire chef / cook / writer that has come up with a different method of making Chutney and Thick Pickle that I haven’t heard about? In the past few months of shows I have broken three spoons sampling chutney, and recently had to borrow a knife to dig and slice it out of the jar. All were tasteless. My guess is that a large quantity of setting agent was used to cut down on cooking time………….. A Good Dish Spoilt 

Pat Westgate Tel: 01580 753895 

Thanks again Pat for all your Recipes, If you have any queries on any of Pat’s recipes please ring her, she will be only too pleased to help.

I have been sending the Newsletter by e-mail to a few members, If any Secretary or member would like to receive the newsletter by e-mail I would gladly send it to them. It would also be easier for secretaries to send it to their members so more people would be able to see it. It would be sent in Adobe PDF format. The Adobe Reader is available free from the Adobe web page http://adobe-reader.download--free.net/adobe/

Please e-mail me at  peter.waving@blueyonder.co.uk if you would like a newsletter sent by email

Editor Pete Waving

One ever popular talk around the circuit is Plant Problems (or, more prosaically, Pests, Diseases & Weed Control), and one which has evolved over the years. Thirty years ago it was quite easy to take along enough chemical controls from a local Garden Centre to wipe out most of Kent!  The organic stirrings were evident however, and I found that a light-hearted approach was best when discussing nature ‘red in tooth and claw’.  We have survived Lead, Arsenic, Mercury and Nicotine, the wide use of DDT and Aldrin (the former again recommended recently by the World Health Organisation for use in combating the spread of Malaria).  The withdrawal of many standard controls has left us relying on relatively few ‘safe’ controls and an acceptance that a level of blemish has to be tolerated occasionally.  When you realise that, in theory, the offspring of one female Aphid can produce over a billion young in a season, it puts things in perspective (and most of these are female!)

I was pleased to see that Yalding Organic Garden has re-opened under new ownership, but is still approved by the Soil Association.  I always enjoy a visit there, and occasionally catch a real gem to photograph.  One such was the small cabbage plant with a collar against Cabbage Root Fly.  But sitting on the plant was a Cabbage White Butterfly (raising two fingers?!)  Even more recently was a netted cage of Brassicas within which, and all trying to get out, were a number of Cabbage White Butterflies.  Keep a sense of humour throughout, and gardening becomes a pleasure – despite the set-backs.

NB:  Interestingly, there was a stand at Hampton Court this year focussing on Malaria and its possible return to the UK

(nothing new under the sun, with Global Warming to blame for all ills!)

 Hilary Newman

The Officers and Committee of the K.F.H.S. would like to offer their best wishes to all

Societies and Individual Members.

Happy Christmas

and a very, very……

 HAPPY NEW YEAR

TO ONE AND ALL

FAVERSHAM HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

has for sale

METAL EXHIBITION VASES

Approx. 100 Large – 150 Small

Buyer Collects

Offers in the region of

£200

Tel. 01795  537225

 Fees for society affiliation and individual membership are due on January 1^st. 2009 and renewal forms will be sent out shortly.

Our Membership Secretary, Richard Foreman, would be very grateful for your early payment.

Despite leaving Shorne in thick fog and a smattering of rain on the way, all had cheered up and the sun was shining by the time we reached Woodnesborough and found our way to Woodnesborough house, a delightful venue where the show had the good fortune to be held. Denis Vickers, Chairman had good reason to be proud of the quality and number of exhibits. The number of fruit cakes and victoria sandwiches well matched any seen at our county shows. Similarly vegetable exhibits were of similar merit if not quite in number. Quite outstanding for me was an exhibit of mini-plum tomatoes shown by Trevor Burton of Eastry. Absolutely terrific! Some first class craft exhibits too. These included a wonderful patch work quilt as well as some very good counted thread embroidery. Some good and unusual flower arrangements too and there were some familiar names among the prizewinners !

It was a rare treat to be able to sit outside in the warm sunshine enjoying the company and shared interests of friends old and new - not to mention the great scarecrows that were this year’s family project. Also enjoyed was the company of the hardworking committee and, take it from me, the cakes served for refreshments were superb!

Congratulations to you all and I hope you will invite me again sometime! 

June Wilkins 

Being a member of the British Fuchsia Society, I noted earlier this year that the B.F.” London Show” was to be part of the great Wisley Garden Show. Carol Gubler (Show Organiser) was appealing for Stewards and Helpers, so along with Denis Vickers we applied straight away, as a result on the 19^th August we both spent a lovely day at Wisley. We were both “Stewards” to top National Fuchsia Judges. I listened intensely to all the judge’s comments and watched them closely as they viewed each individual exhibit. I have been judging Flowers and Vegetables for many years and have been a keen Fuchsia grower and exhibitor but next year I will be judging my first “Fuchsia Show”. I can’t tell you how valuable that morning Stewarding with the National Judges at Wisley has been to me, I learnt more in those few hours than any book could tell you. If you get a chance to Steward for a National Judge I would thoroughly recommend it.

Colin Coulson

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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting of the Kent Federation will be held at Sutton Valence Village Hall on Friday 20th March 2009 (subject to confirmation ) at 7.30pm. If any member wishes to submit a resolution to go before the AGM it must be with the Secretary Mr.Gary Smith by 31st January 2009

Any Society or individual member who has not paid their renewals by 13th March will not be permitted to vote at this meeting.

Your attendance would be most welcome.

SPRING MINI SHOW

Those of you who attended the Federation’s A.G.M at Sutton Valence in March will remember the pleasure of having a breath of spring brought into the hall by just ten classes. The committee intends to repeat the experiment and would be pleased to receive your suggestions for inclusion in the list.

Phone or email June Wilkins with your requests, by December, please.01474-822224    e-mail j.wilkinshorne@tiscali.co.uk

SUMMER SHOW

WILSON TROPHY…..MIKE BEER         Most points – vegetable classes

LATTER CUP……DAVID FITTON        Most points – sweet pea classes

JUNE SALVER……DAVID FITTON        Best vase of sweet peas

SWALE TROPHY……IAN CLAPP        Most points – rose classes

STUART OGG TROPHY…..IAN CLAPP        Best vase of roses

KENT & SUSSEX FARMERS TROPHY…...DIANA SPREE        Most points – other flower classes              

     EVELYN OGG TROPHY ...SHEILA SMITH        Best exhibit of decorative flowers

GEOFFREY WICKHAM TROPHY…..SANDRA FOREMAN        Best pot plant

MERILYN TROPHY……PAT WICKWAR        Most points in pot plant classes

ELLEN TROPHY…… JEAN CORPS        Most point in home economics classes

BANKSIAN MEDAL……IAN CLAPP        Most points overall

AUTUMN SHOW 

KENT FEDERATION TROPHY……NORTH TONBRIDGE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY        Inter- society class

GARRAD CUP……ANTHONY FILMER        Collection of Vegetables

WYEVALE TROPHY……JAMIE FILMER        Onion Championship

BARRY RIDSDALE MEMORIAL……JAMIE FILMER        Potato Championship

GRAFTY GARDEN CENTRE PLAQUE……ROGER SIMMONS        Federation Tray                                           

ROCHESTER TROPHY…BRIAN FRANCIS        Most points in Vegetable classes

BUGGE CHALLENGE TROPHY……TOM DEEN        Most points in Fruit classes

FEDERATION CHALLENGE TROPHY…IAN JOHNSON         Best vase of Dahlias

LADY MASSEREENE & FERRARD TROPHY…..IAN JOHNSON        3 vases of Dahlias

TIARKS TROPHY……DOUG DRURY        Best vase of Chrysanths

HARMSWORTH CHALLENGE TROPHY…..DOUG DRURY        3 vases of Chrysanths

FEDERATION TROPHY…...PAT WESTGATE        Best Pot Plant

MRS.C.P.BLACK TROPHY…..JUNE WILKINS        Most point in Home Economics classes

  Congratulations to you all

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