February 2010

WYFS AT THE GREAT YORKSHIRE SHOW

The Committee have accepted an invitation to attend one of the largest agricultural events in the

country - the Great Yorkshire Show. Attractingmore than 126,000 visitors over three days, this

must surely be our largest audience ever! As the Committee feel it will require quite some

planning and organising to create the quality display and educational demonstration we plan to

stage, a sub-committee is to be formed. If you are interested in being part of the sub-committee

please contact Graham.

Your support will be invaluable and any ideas or suggestions are most welcome.

THE I.O.U SCHEME JUST GOT BIGGER

The I.O.U scheme which was introduced last year to increase the number of hanging pots

available on sale days has been extended this year and will also include troughs.

For those who are new to the Society here’s how the scheme works - the Society provides

hanging pots and troughs for members to fill with Fuchsias for sale at our events throughout

the year.

Although there is no charge for these, members who choose to take them are asked to sign an

I.O.U to the Society for £2.50 which is returned when the hanging pot or trough is returned.

Should a member not wish to bring these back for whatever reason, the I.O.U will need to be

paid into Society funds - simple but effective.

EVENT REMINDER

March meeting - A questions and answers session provided by our members - please

complete the form provided by Graham who will be ‘hosting’ the evening and return these to him

with a question as soon as possible just in case the panel need to prepare anything.

HARDY FUCHSIA BED

A tentative approach has been made to have a hardy Fuchsia bed somewhere in Horsforth and a

couple of sites have been suggested. It is felt however that in order to do justice to any

of these sites we would need to grow plants at least for a year before planting them out - not

only to give a better display but also to give them a chance to survive. The maintenance of the bed would be taken over by members of the Horsforth in Bloom Committee and a plaque noting our involvement would be sited nearby.

Any members who would like to assist in growing hardies for this project should contact Graham.

SHOW BACK AT THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL

After a number of years away, the Leeds Horticultural Society has decided due to financial and other considerations to move their Annual Show at which we at the WYFS play a major role, back to the Grammar School at Leeds (their new name).

More space is available at this venue with another hall and an additional courtyard being allocated. The dining facilities have been extended since we were last there and hot

meals will be available.

Let’s hope we have a good show and the attendance increases as is anticipated.

NEW MEMBERS

We are always seeking to attract new members -

if you need any posters or information just ask a committee member.

SALE PLANTS ETC

Although the year has been difficult so far weather wise, with many events planned this year we will need a lot of cuttings, plants, baskets etc for sale. Next time you take a cutting why not take another for sale?

HEAVENLY BODIES

Our display at the Annual Show this year is themed on ‘Heavenly Bodies’ and will feature fuchsias whose names reflect this. There are many cultivars to choose from such as COMET, DAWN STAR, MOONGLOW, TWINKLING STARS etc. We need members to grow at least one pot or container.