Mickleton

GARDENING CLUB: Chairman, Ann Wall, welcomed everyone to the AGM in the 21st year of the club. She said the club had enjoyed an excellent programme arranged by Sheila Hilton; came second in the Inter-Club competition at Blockley; visited the Malvern Spring Show; had successful Spring and Autumn shows and enjoyed a garden party in June. In addition 35 members had spent three nights in Kent where they visited many lovely houses and gardens, perhaps the highlight being Sissinghurst. The accounts were adopted and the treasurer was happy to report a surplus for the year. Chairman, Ann Wall, secretary Thelma Hunt and treasurer Ena Thompson were re-elected. Mrs Doreen Lawless, Mrs Vera Fisher and Mrs Beatrice Kitchen resigned from the committee and Miss Ann Suffield and Mrs Janet Pickering were nominated and elected. Ann Wall thanked the committee for their hard work. She had enjoyed her second year as chairman and said it was a pleasure to be associated with such a happy, thriving and enthusiastic club. Allen Kitchen thanked the chairman and committee on behalf of the members. Following the AGM Gordon Ottewell gave a most interesting talk illustrated with slides entitled Nature Around Your Village. He used his experiences as a teacher to demonstrate the topics and said that blackberrying is a good way to get children looking at the countryside. Detective work adds interest and his pupils had observed footprints in mud, weighed molehills and dissected owl pellets. Churchyards and disused railway lines are a good source of nature and a village record of wildlife population by dating hedgerows, recording date of arrival of birds, eg cuckoo and first sightings of flowers is a worthwhile project. His last slide demonstrated the temp of village life with a slow-ducks crossing sign. In his vote of thanks Gerald Furtado commented that it was nice to get away from Web sites and we had all enjoyed a glimpse into rural life. The competition of a village photograph was won by Jo Jones. The club's coming of age was celebrated in style by a real Gala evening on November 23. Chairman, Ann Wall, welcomed our special guests, the members of the founding committee plus 70 members to an evening of celebration and entertainment in the especially decorated hall hung with keys, 21's and balloons. The room was decorated throughout in a blue and silver theme. Two matching pedestal flower displays created by Chris Pring flanked the cake shaped into a 21 made by Sally Potter. The founders of the club were John Huntriss and Glyn Warwick. They and all the members of the original committee were present, Jill Warwick, George Compton, Allen and Beat Kitchen, Sue Payne, Ernie Moss, Arthur Trainer and Tom Brightmore. Glyn was the first chairman, George was treasurer, a post he then held for 18 years. A delicious meal, prepared by Marguerite Bell was enjoyed by all while Frieda Jelfs played the piano. Allen and Beat Kitchen cut the anniversary cake. Ann Wall told all present that Allen and Beat have attended every meeting since the club's inauguration and one or other has been show secretary for 17 years. Ann made a presentation to Beat on her retirement from the post. She will be much missed.