MORE COMEBACKS
THAN OL’ BLUE EYES
It is with regret we announce that the open week-end we had this year was our
last. It must be twenty years since I was first approached by a lady who worked
very hard for the cancer charity Tenovus, and who asked us if we’d consider
opening our garden for that very first time. Her name was Julia Catchpole, thank
you Julia I’ve enjoyed every last one of them. Not that I’ll stop gardening even
though I’ve passed my seventy sixth birthday (you can’t have done) Oh don’t
start that again. What we might to do is to acquire a secure box that can be
emptied every night, and pick a different charity each year, that way all the
rigmarole of Tombola, Raffle, etc, will make it a far easier task each year, but
of course things haven’t been finalised yet as a number of people have shown
concern due to the rising crime rate in this lovely area that we live. Both
Chris (my new mate over the road) and I had the signs for the open day broken
off at their base and thrown down. So just in case any of the four youths (two
who were hooded) who felt fit to do this read this message, if they want to
black their nose and see what we’re about then please contact me, and I’ll teach
them how interesting it is to be in charge of such interesting subjects as
garden flowers, lets hope they never fall ill and need help from others.
Anyway what we are thinking of doing when the garden is looking colourful in
both the front and the back is to invite you to come and see it at any time you
happen to be passing, providing we are in. Of course the front garden will be at
your disposal any time you choose, and I’ll make sure there is a seat provided.
Should we obtain a secure box and you wish to place a small donation in it we
will see the charity of the year receives it, but as I say we have yet to decide
the best option. I will try and keep the garden exciting with a different scheme
every year, and continue to develop new dahlias for your enjoyment as well as a
few pot plants to swell the takings. One last thing, last year for the first
time I had an idea that could make a few pound for charity, true it only made
fifteen pounds this time, but it could make much more once more people hear
about it. This is the bones of the idea; there will be photographs of the
current season’s crop of dahlias for charity on our notice board. Obviously
these won’t be for sale until the following year, because as yet there would be
only one plant, but by the time the year has ended the resultant seedling will
have made a plump tuber which will be able to produce many more plants. Should
you want to purchase one to name after a friend or relative you can for a five
pound note, this entitles you to a cutting the following year that will flower
in your garden for years to come. All money will be given to the charity we’ve
chosen for that year.
As well as this another charity scheme will come into
force, and that is to produce new Sweet Pea varieties, as they apart from roses
are my dear wife's favourite flowers. The reason this come about was by me
getting to know a gentleman called Charles W. Welch, and when I say gentleman I
really mean it, and even though I have never met the man I know he is a kind
unassuming fella, what we back garden breeders would call a hybridist
extraordinaire, and he is responsible for many wonderful flowers, vegetables,
and fruit that we grow in our garden today. He has certainly taught me a few
more tricks since I started to read his book. It all came about by him reading a
little article of mind which involved the dahlia named Carolina Moon which was
one of his raisings. I was so grateful for the email I received from him on that
grey November day this year.
Ken and Irene Stock.