CHERITON Fitzpaine Garden Club met for the first time this year in the Parish Hall for a social evening. Chairman Andrew Dean took us through the programme for the year, which includes talks, visits, workshops and an Open Gardens Afternoon.

Vice-Chairman, Sue Harris has worked extremely hard to set up a website for the Club ( www.cheritonfitzpainegardenclub.com ) from which members may download show schedules, the programme and many other things.

She is looking for more photographs to add to the site.

We now have around 65 members ranging from children to our oldest lady, Nora Bulled who is over 90, and can still give other flower arrangers a run for their money when she chooses!

Thanks to the efforts of Past Chairman, Paula Mossman, who managed to get a grant for £2,500, we will now be able to buy new tables and a trolley, plus compost and renewable containers, so that the children may all enter the potato competition at the Summer Show.

Members then settled down to a Quiz concocted by David Nunn, before enjoying some “wicked puddings” brought by the members together with drinks from the bar.

Our next meeting will be an outing to Bow Garden Centre on Thursday, March 21, when the centre is putting on a special evening for us. Please meet at the Half Moon Inn at 6.15pm to share cars.

Our Spring Exhibition will be held in the Parish Hall on Saturday, March 30 at 2.30pm. Entry is free, and there will be refreshments on sale.

Mary Nunn