Allium bells by Leila PSolomon’s seal by Leila PLilac in bloom by John LClematis montana by John LSpring blossom by John LMy garden in April 03 by Leila PMy garden in April 02 by Leila PMy garden in April by Leila PFern fronds by Leila PFern fronds 2 by Leila PCherry blossom by Leila P
Magnolia by Leila P
The garden in spring by John LThe garden in spring 3 by John LThe garden in spring 2 by John LSpring flowers by Joyce PHazel catkins by Leila PMagnolia 2 by Leila PMagnolia by Leila PWoodland bed by Marion KSalix gracilistyla (Rose Gold pussy willow) by Marion KEarly March in Marion K’s garden
Mediterranean spurge by Leila P
Queen Mum Agapanthus by Pam CorkEarly Autumn in Marilyn and Graham’s garden
Summer evening in Marilyn and Graham’s front garden
Ceanothus with teasels by Anne G
Poppies in Marilyn & Graham’s front garden
My border by Joyce P
Late spring in Marilyn and Graham’s garden
Spring is a coming in by Marion K
Autumnal Acer and bug hotel by Marion K
Planting Irises in Marilyn & Graham’s new pond
Giant Tithonia by Marion K
12ft Pawlonia by Chris RClerodendrum Bungeii by Chris RFuchsia by Chris RGarden visitor 2 by Chris RGarden visitor by Chris R
Succulent cuttings by Leila P
Marilyn & Graham’s front garden July 2023
Marilyn & Graham’s back garden July 2023
Marilyn & Graham’s new pond July 2023
Umbrella plant gone lantern shaped by Leila P
Barbecue planter by Leila P
Ladybird by Leila P
Robin by Leila P
Daffodils by candlelight by Leila PSnowdrops by Marion KFirst Daffodil by Marion K
Pam C’s stunning Christmas cactus
Marilyn and Graham’s bumper harvest of squashes and pumpkins
View of the South Downs from Marilyn and Graham’s garden
HGC Garden Trail 2022 at Leila’s gardenHGC Garden Trail 2022 at Leila’s garden‘A beautiful early Spring view on the north side of Hove Recreation ground’ Jacky H‘My viburnum and Exochorda looking lovely’ Marion K
‘My first narcissi in flower’ Marion K
Stunning & dramatic colours of the Royal Pavilion in Brighton by night. Our thanks to Leila P for submitting this photo.
Writes Leila P: ‘This just shows different animals can get along. My Tora and our pet fox. This happens most nights. if she says yes they can go for the food’
‘Autumn Colours’ sent in by Leila P
‘Autumn Rudbeckia in my front garden’ Jacky H
Look at this Chappie with a chair all to himself. Thanks to Joyce R for sending in a photo of her parsnip.
‘My front door on 1st October’ Tessa L
Charlie the Club mascot, knitted friend and pumpkin
Audrey B emailed in this super photo of a pavement display in Westbourne Gardens and says it brightens up her daily walk!
Pat A’s bright blue ‘Sea Holly’
Viv’s stunning garden showing the veg patch
Pat A’s beautiful Astilbe
Jennie K emailed some fabulous photos of her garden recently and we thought you’d like to see them ‘the pond with the yellow flag irises’
Jennie K emailed some fabulous photos of her garden recently and we thought you’d like to see them ‘a place to sit and enjoy the birdsong, the humming bees’
Jennie K emailed some fabulous photos of her garden recently and we thought you’d like to see them. ‘defences against marauding sparrows!
Tessa L’s stunning rose which greets visitors next to her front door
‘Do you come here often?’ Charlie, Marion K’s tortoise, meets a garden visitor
How about these beauties? Spotted in Worthing town centre by Leila P
Joyce P sent us this photo of her stunning Tulips. We think you’ll agree they are worth updating here!
Spring is truly here in Tessa L’s garden
Pat A’s stunning japonica enjoying its sunny south facing position
‘Another rainy lockdown day – another batch of marmalade’ Marion K
This is my first Amaryllis in bloom. I thought it might cheer you all up. Chris R
‘My garden in the rain. So many pictures are taken in bright sunshine but I thought I’d take this one in the rain as it looked so refreshing’ Leila P.
My white Brugmansia Marion K
Ginger Lily Marion K
Haemanthus Albiflos ‘Shaving Brush Plant’ Marion K
Marion K ‘A Great spotted woodpecker, who visited us 2 days running and spent at least 15 minutes on the pear tree’
Pat E ‘I’ve been told these are Rose Chafer Beetles’
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2024
Marilyn accepting the Mayor of Hove's Cup
Fifty members gathered in St Leonard’s Hall for an AGM that turned out to be informative, emotional and entertaining. Chair, Marion King welcomed everyone, hoping they had enjoyed a glass of mulled wine and choice of delicious pastries before the start of business. Following approval of the previous year’s meeting minutes, Treasurer, Jacky Holt gave a review of this year’s Accounts, singling out the Plant Sale and Raffles as having generated excellent revenue. Chris Thornton-Clough, our esteemed Club President addressed the meeting, thanking the Committee for all their hard work and ended with her customary “Cornucopia of corny jokes”.
Marion’s report included a special mention of the Plant Sale, our most successful to date and featuring a fabulous cake stall that included our famous cheesy potato pie, a legend in everyone’s lunchtime. Bottles of wine were presented to Graham Dwyer (website editor), Sheila Myers (Leila’s raffle table assistant) and Linda Church (Competitions Table organiser).
Sadly three of the Committee have decided to retire to their potting sheds but we are really pleased to welcome four new Committee members: Stephanie Kenton, Pam Cork, Rita George and Lucy Watkins. Their knowledge, experience and enthusiasm will be much appreciated in the coming year. President Chris Thornton-Clough and Vice President Ken Norman were re-elected, along with eight members of the 2024 Committee who have agreed to re-stand. David King was elected to the post of Accounts Examiner.
Trophies and Certificates were awarded to Competition winners, a full list of which is printed at the end of this article. Almost at close of business, there were special gift presentations to two of the retiring Committee members. Unfortunately Tessa Lindop was unable to attend so her gift of a ceramic pot, planted with miniature white narcissi will be delivered to her. Marion spoke warmly of both Tessa and Pat Winter, describing all the great work they have done for the Club over many years. Pat was presented with a miniature red waterlily (Nymphaea pygmaea rubra) she said would be simply perfect in her small pond. After a “Thank You” speech for her waterlily, Pat delivered a heartfelt tribute to our exceptionally hardworking Chair. Marion was moved, not least to receive the champagne and flowers that were a surprise gift on behalf of the entire Club. Finally, November’s competition winners were announced and the raffle drawn prior to the close of the meeting.
Trophies and Certificates of Merit were awarded as follows:
Overall points total
1st. Mayor of Hove’s Cup – Marilyn High
2nd. President’s Challenge Plate – Leila Philips
3rd. Silver Cup – John Lyall
Decorative (Flowers, plants, shrubs and trees)
1st. Cut-glass Vase – John Lyall
2nd. Marilyn High
3rd. Britt-Marie Karlsson
Edible produce grown in your garden or allotment
1st. Bronze Wheelbarrow Shield – Graham Dwyer
2nd. Sheila Askew
3rd. Leila Philips
Food items prepared in your kitchen
1st. RHS Decorative Plate – Leila Philips
2nd. Marilyn High
3rd. Sandra Payne
Certificates of Merit were awarded to all of the above and: Frances Gunn, Christine James, Denise Pittard, Lyn Burrows, Julia Feittkau-Chorley, Pat Edwards, Marion King, Heather Goldring, Alison Mudd, Chris Thornton-Clough, Jo Adams, Lindsay Lindsay, Wendy McCarthy, Rita Fry, Jenny Taylor, Joyce Roberts and Glen Goldring.
