Constantine Cornwall

Many gardeners will say that as winter approaches, it is the end of the gardening year. Others advocate that it is the beginning and you will yield the results next year due to the preparation done now.

Many gardeners will say that as winter approaches, it is the end of the gardening year. Others advocate that it is the beginning and you will yield the results next year due to the preparation done now. Whichever camp you belong to, this year has certainly been a testing one for most of us. Who would have thought that 2020 would end in such a way.

The society has not met since the last AGM and it will most likely not meet again until after the next one would have been held in 2021. We must all wait and see what the future holds prior to any further interaction.

The committee has decided that all Membership annual subscriptions paid in 2020, will be honoured for 2021. Let us hope that we can meet, have gardening talks and plan future events as soon as s reasonably practicable.

As keen gardeners we know that now is a great time to collect seed ready for next year.

As society members can we try to collect a few varieties from our garden so as things get back to normal we can try and get a community seed swap scheme for Constantine going in 2021. It will be a big project to initially start, but I’m sure with our collective knowhow wecan make a success of such a scheme.

The Facebook page is there for us all to use, to share ideas, ask questions and post pictures of plants and our gardens. For thosewithout a Facebook account I’m more than happy to administer any content that you wish to be included. For those wishing to have photographs included please send them via an attachment in a JPEG format, not via a Word or Pages document.

As this issue covers November and December, albeit it may be a little early for some, may I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Peter Wilson

Peter Wilson, Chair

This edition would have been mostly about our Summer Show that was due to take place in July. We would have been blessed with marvelous weather and I’m sure the day would have been a tremendous occasion. The last time the show was cancelled was during the Second World War although a show did take place in 1945, where money was raised for the local forces tribute fund. There was a similar occurrence in the Great War, it again resuming in 1919. After such a long period of absence during both wars, I bet it was a great morale booster for the village.

Peter Wilson, Chair

This edition would have been mostly about our Summer Show that was due to take place in July. We would have been blessed with marvelous weather and I’m sure the day would have been a tremendous occasion. The last time the show was cancelled was during the Second World War although a show did take place in 1945, where money was raised for the local forces tribute fund. There was a similar occurrence in the Great War, it again resuming in 1919. After such a long period of absence during both wars, I bet it was a great morale booster for the village.

Whilst our current predicament cannot be compared to those events, we must certainly look to next year and if we are not able to hold a full show, we must see how we can try to have some involvement of the various categories. It will certainly be feasible to judge, best gardens, hanging baskets in the Division 9 category, maybe a virtual show via Facebook or web pages will be an option. The committee are open to suggestions for this. As the cups presented in 2019 have not been collected, can I please ask that those winning recipients of that year, please ensure the cups are safe and stored securely, ready for collection at a later date.

The Constantine Cottage Garden Society Facebook page is now operational, several members have joined so please have a look and join, so we can boost the numbers. It is a chance to share pictures, ideas, problems we all encounter while gardening. If you are not on Facebook, please feel free to use me as a conduit for items, issues to be posted.

As the summer schedule visits have all been cancelled, we are currently unable to arrange the winter program of talks in the WI hall. There are a number of health and safety issues which preclude the use of the hall and until these can be addressed, it is unfortunately closed for meetings.

While we have had a lovely spring and summer so far this year, our attention as Gardeners’ undoubtedly turns to the Autumn and the inevitable garden tidy up. While that seems a little way off yet, just take a few moments out of your busy schedules and enjoy your garden, while the sultry days of summer slowly ebb into the Autumn.

Members of the Cottage Garden Society have been saddened by the loss of two most prominent members who have passed away.

Members of the Cottage Garden Society have been saddened by the loss of two most prominent members who have passed away.

Roy Keverne (above) and David Burke (below) have both contributed so much to the success of the Society over many years.

They worked on various committees and held important positions within the Society. Roy was latterly the President and David the Treasurer. They were both keen and successful entrants to the Summer Show, Roy usually won the Fuchsias Trophy and David the “Men Only” Home Produce Trophy.

Our condolences are sent to the families of both Roy and David.

Howard Bolt