SPEAKER at the September meeting of Cheriton Fitzpaine Garden Club, postponed since Covid, was Mike Stephens from Cornwall.

After retiring from school-teaching, Mike fulfilled a lifetime ambition to create a beautiful herb garden.

His topic was “Growing Herbs for your Kitchen”.

He was an excellent speaker, allowing time for questions as we went on, and pointing out the various uses of herbs for culinary purposes, not only for flavouring, but to eat.

They are of course used for medicinal and ornamental purposes.

Surprisingly he told us that, buying herbs from supermarkets was the most economical way, as they can be divided and planted in the garden or in pots.

An added attraction is that they attract bees and butterflies and can also be planted in window boxes.

Mike previously opened his garden for the National Gardens Scheme - in February - which shows how versatile herbs are!

In the absence of our Chairman, Jeanine Rundle, Show Secretary, thanked all those members who had worked so hard to make the Summer Show a success, despite the scorching hot weather, lack of rain, and lingering Covid.

Our next meeting will be at 7.30pm on Thursday, October 20 in the Parish Hall. Visitors are welcome at a cost of £2. The Speaker will be Ian Johnson demonstrating and talking about, Composting.

Mary Nunn