GARDENING SOCIETY: There were 53 members present at the December meeting, to hear speaker Dr Michael Jones, from Newman College Birmingham. His talk was entitled Mistletoe - Fact, Myth and Legend.

Dr Jones ended his talk by telling his audience about Brakespeare's Brewery in Henley on Thames, where the tradition has been to hang a bunch of mistletoe above the entrance to the brewery, where it was left all year, and its good luck properties must be working as the brewery has been operating for 150 years. Lastly, one member was able to demonstrate the long life of the plant by saying she has an apple tree, on which mistletoe had been growing for at least 49 years.

The competition for a Christmas Arrangement was won by Joan Kerr, second Annette Haines, third Tessa Webb and fourth, Lynn Newbury.

The next meeting on January 19 will feature Glyn Jones, the head gardener, speaking on the History of Hidcote Manor Garden. The competition will be a photograph of a garden visit, and all visitors will also be welcome. For further information, call 01789 268974.