IN the first wintry showers of the season, Cheriton Fitzpaine Garden Club met in the Parish Hall for a talk entitled “From Sherwood to Shilliong” given by Vaughan Gallavan, previously Head Gardener at Sherwood near Newton St Cyres.

Unfortunately, the House is now sold, and the Gardens unlikely to be opened to the public again. Vaughan had always been interested in unusual varieties of Rhododendron, and when he was offered the opportunity to go on an exhibition to Uttah Pradesh in the Himalayan foothills, he jumped at the chance.

Plant hunting is not for the faint-hearted, as invariably it means long, uncomfortable journeys (in this case, either walking, or a bumpy journey on a local variation of a Yak), camping at night and collating seed collections by the light of an oil lamp.

We saw some wonderful pictures of this beautiful, remote area, where the only sound might be of the Red Kites wheeling above.

It seems as if the local people, although poor, are happy and helpful, and we heard brief snatches of their singing around the fire at night.

The team collected some hitherto unknown seeds of rhododendrons, huge specimens, the trunks of which are used for firewood.

Our next meeting is on Thursday, December 1, when we elect our Committee, before turning to the important business of judging the Great Parsnip Challenge.

Please take your washed Parsnip Specimen to the hall for judging at 7.30pm. Anyone is welcome, member or not, but is asked to bring some food to share.

Mary Nunn