King's Lynn Horticultural Society klhs.co.uk
July 2019 Volume 6, Issue 3
KLHS News
David Wilson and Tom Turnbull at the stall.
BIG BOOST FOR FUNDS FROM PLANT FAIR Society funds have been boosted by am impressive £305 thanks to the stall at this year’s Plant Fair in King’s Lynn. Set out in a corner of the Tuesday Market Place in May, the stall was organised by Chairman, David Wilson and committee member, Tom Turnbull.
Other members helped on the day and donated items to sell. Clearly the mixed weather during the annual fair run by King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council as part of a weekend of events to mark the town’s trading over centuries with the Hanse League didn’t put off the shoppers. A similar stall last year raised around £90.
CHANGE OF DISCOUNT SUPPLIER Stratfords, of King’s Lynn, has agreed to take part in the Society’s membership scheme in place of Norfolk Country Clothing, which has ceased trading.
klhs.co.uk
Eye-catching Greater Knapweed (Centaurea scabiosa) in the dunes at Old Hunstanton.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Harlow Carr
2
Annual Show 3 Summer Barbecue
3
Global Warming
3&4
Recycled Labels
4
HARLOW CARR BY KEVIN AYRES
It was a dry but cool Saturday in May when 20 members and friends set off from the Austin Fields car park by coach for the RHS gardens at Harlow Carr in North Yorkshire. The weather changed as we headed up the A17 and onto the A1, the clouds thickened and rain began to fall. However, our journey North was otherwise uneventful and by the time we reached Yorkshire the clouds had lifted and although it wasn’t wall to wall sunshine, it turned into the perfect day for exploring the nearly 70 acres which make up the gardens at Harlow Carr. We were given a brief introduction to the gardens on arrival and had some highlights pointed out by the friendly RHS staff before we headed off for our own adventures. First stop for many, if not all, was Betty’s Café and Tea Rooms adjacent to the entrance to the gardens. Who could resist the treats in there, clearly not many of our party, and I believe some were tempted back later in the day as well for a second helping! Finally, into the gardens, which way to go? There are so many different areas to explore, too many for one visit. The Kitchen Garden, perhaps, which demonstrates what can be done on a windy site with a clay soil, using an arrangement of raised beds all made
accessible via bark-covered paths or maybe the Alpine House sitting majestically at the top of the valley, giving a stunning view of the Woodland, the 80ft long glass Alpine House provides a spectacular setting for the display of these inspiring little gems. Just 2 of the delights to enjoy. If you wanted to get away from Gardens for a little bit, there were the exibitions in the Bath House of Ceramics and Glass or in the Library an opportunity to see hanging together three seasonal embroideries of RHS Garden Harlow Carr, created by the talented Richmond & Leyburn Embroidery Group. The scenes show tulips and Muscari in spring, the very best of perennial planting in the main borders at high summer, and the vibrant red Cornus stems set against striking silver birch trees in the Winter walk. Where ever you chose to explore the afternoon passed too quickly, and it was soon 4pm and time to assemble for the journey back to Kings Lynn, possibly via the very well stocked shop. As we got closer to home the clouds once again grew darker and the spray from the coach was all too evident as we reached the outskirts of Kings Lynn. But we were not downhearted after our great Yorkshire adventure. Here’s looking forward to the 2020 trip, but where? All will be revealed in due course.
ANNUAL SHOW It’s time to start preparing for this year’s annual show. More than 100 classes covering plants, vegetables, baking, art and crafts, can be entered. As usual, there are several classes for junior exhibitors.
have agreed to present the prizes at the event, which is again to be held at South Wootton Village Hall, on Saturday, August 10th. Staging starts at 8am and ends at 10 am, when the judging begins. For details of classes, telephone Show Secretary, Rachel Vyse, on 01553 631820.
The Deputy Mayor of King’s Lynn, Please place your entries by noon on Councillor Margaret Wilkinson and the Friday before the show at the lather consort, Councillor Sandra Collop est.
SUMMER BARBECUE A barbecue is to be held at the family home of Treasurer, Steve Barker, in Snettisham, on July 27th. The event at Shepherd’s Port, starts around 2.30pm and is free to members. Please bring a drink. Steve adds contributions of food would be welcome, but asks that people let him know what they hope to bring to avoid duplication. If you would like to attend, please let Steve know by July 14th. Email him at steve.barker495@btinternet.com or text 07771902182.
GLOBAL WARMING BY NOLAN MILLS
Global warming and climate change is the hot topic of the moment. There is plenty of evidence that the planet is warming up; the ice caps are melting, the seas are getting warmer and there are more frequent extreme weather events. I keep getting asked the question is it happening in South Wootton? Well I have looked at my weather records for the past 33 years and from the averages I cannot see a definite trend. Our weather is and has been very variable. This year on Easter Monday it was a hot 24°C whereas the May Day bank holiday two weeks later was only 13°C. I can say that our hottest ever temperatures were in August 2003 (34°C) and our wettest ever day was more recent in June 2017 with 75mm (3 inches) in one day. (Continued on page 4)
(Continued from page 3)
So if the planet is warming up the question is why. Most scientists say the main cause is the greenhouse gases. This is mainly carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels ie oil, coal and gas. So the simplistic answer for the future is to soak up the carbon dioxide and limit the burning of fossil fuels.
electric battery powered one (we have free electric from the sun).
We have a diesel car and when we bought it 4 years ago it was supposed to be more environmentally friendly than our previous model. The government thought so as well so we save over ÂŁ200 a year on vehicle excise duty. We now know that everyone was misled over the emissions (even though our make of car was not imPlants use carbon dioxide to grow so plicated). The government says the the obvious way is to grow more vege- future is electric vehicles. We have tation. We in South Wootton are very had a look and at the moment there is lucky to have plenty of vegetation. We not one suitable for us but hopefully need to maintain it and ensure there in the next couple of years there will are plenty of trees in any new develbe. opments. I was guilty a few years ago The other way we use a lot of fossil of digging up a dying Leylandii hedge fuels is flying away on foreign holiand replacing it with a fence! We days. Our next summer holiday is to need to encourage trees, hedges, France and Germany by train via the grass and limit the amount of paving Channel Tunnel; unfortunately we do and concrete. like a winter holiday in a warm place What can I do personally to reduce and that requires a flight but we are energy and reliance of fossil fuels? getting older so age may take over We were fortunate 8 years ago to take there!!! the decision to install solar panels. They were expensive at A plastic fork and milk bottle can be creatively the time but as predicted they turned into plant labels paid for themselves in 7 years. Now our electric company pay us nearly three times as much as we pay them! It annoys me that new builds do not have solar panels fitted as standard. We have electric battery powered hedge cutters and grass trimmer and when our petrol mower packs up we will get an
