THE May meeting of Cheriton Fitzpaine Garden Club was well-attended and the speaker, Peter Savage, from Bowden’s Hostas at Sticklepath, was excellent.

He told us the history of Bowden’s and their display at Chelsea (Gold medal winners).

Apparently, there are five varieties of hostas which are slug-resistant due to their tough leaves, but Peter recommended using slug pellets, very sparingly.

We all had the opportunity to enter a draw, the prize being an Agapanthus. Jo Anderson was the lucky winner.

Paula Mossman welcomed two new members, and commended Hannah Frost, who had decorated a bird house and stand with colourful gerberas for the recent Flower Festival at St Matthew’s Church. Also, Andrew Dean, whose representation of the village Carnival, won the People’s Choice.

Our next meeting will be the Summer Social, which this year will be at “Highfield”, Stockleigh English on Thursday, June 15, leaving Cheriton in shared cars at 6pm. Please bring cutlery, plates and glasses and a chair if you wish.

On Sunday, June 25 several members and friends will be opening their gardens. There will be 10 or 11 sites, and all are within walking distance of the Parish Hall, where tea and cakes will be available from 2pm - 5pm. Cost is £5, to include tea.

Our Annual Outing will be on Thursday, July 20 when we will visit the High Garden at Kenton. Cream teas will be available.

The Garden Club had been asked for help with weeding the Parish Hall WI Garden and Terry Meakin has already started on this.

Mary Nunn