THE March meeting of Cheriton Fitzpaine Garden Club was especially notable, in that we met our newest member, Mathias Dibley, aged four-days, for the first time.

We now have 49 members, some of whom have only joined for the first time this year.

Paula Mossman explained that, now Clive Horton Stephens has moved away, the Parish Hall Committee would like members of the Garden Club to help maintain their garden.

Also, one of the school parents is willing to undertake organising a Children’s Garden Club, but would like some help from a Garden Club member. Anyone interested should please talk to Paula.

Paula and Charles have now distributed seed potatoes to the schoolchildren, so that they may grow them for the Summer Show.

Those left over will be used for the little ones to plant in old tyres at the School.

This year we are having a Great Leek Challenge, instead of Parsnips, and the longest one will win a prize at the December AGM. Now is the time to start planting!

Hannah Frost has volunteered to design an entry on behalf of the Club for the May Flower Festival, but is in need of a Trellis Arch, if anybody is willing to lend her one.

The speaker was Sue Fisher, a garden designer and writer, who gave us a very thorough and helpful, illustrated talk about Container Gardening - anything from old sinks, to different sorts and sizes of pots.

Our next meeting will be on Thursday, April 20, when Andrew Tolman, who was formerly at Highgrove, will be talking about “Stumperies, Ferns and Shady Friends”.

Our Spring Exhibition will be held at the Parish Hall on Saturday, April 1 from 2.30pm. Teas and cake will also be available.

Mary Nunn