AFTER the Cheriton Fitzpaine Garden Club’s 90th Anniversary celebrations in June, we wondered how we could top that. Well, I think our entry into the Cheriton Fitzpaine Carnival did just that!

Thanks to 22-years-old Hannah Frost and team (not to mention all the jam-tart makers and pot plant cultivators), we had a stunning float depicting Alice in Wonderland, complete with walking characters giving out the jam tarts.

The entry won first prize in its category, and also the Phillip Heard People’s Choice Trophy. These things do not happen without a lot of hard work, and fortunately there are plenty of people in this village who give freely of their time and talents.

On Thursday, July 21, several members travelled by car to the beautiful, privately owned, garden at Holcombe Court, where the Head Gardener explained how it had come into being (from simple lawns).

The garden is occasionally open for charity and will be open for Hospiscare at the beginning of August.

After our visit, we went to a local pub and enjoyed lunch before a stroll along the canal bank and our return home. Thanks go to Terry and Marian Codner who organised the outing.

Our next big event is the Summer Show, on Saturday, August 13 in and around the Parish Hall, starting at 2.30pm. A workshop for children, young and older people will be held in the Methodist Hall on Thursday, August 11, from 2pm where advice and equipment will be available for those who would like to enter the Flower Arranging classes.

Our next monthly meeting will be on Thursday, September 15, at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall, when Roy Cheek will be talking to us about Bog and Water Gardens.

Mary Nunn