CHEDWORTH  &  DISTRICT  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY
FOUNDED   1880

INTRODUCTION
There has been a Horticultural Society in Chedworth since 1880.   History records that it may not have been in existence in every year since that time, but Chedworth village has demonstrated a strong interest in flower and produce shows and talks over the years ever since the first in 1881.   The centenary of the Society was celebrated in 1980 with a dance after the show, and in 2005, to mark the 125th year of the Society, a collection of themed floral displays representing `Chedworth Through the Ages` were brought together in St. Andrew`s Church.   The Society offers much to interest its members, be it winter talks, garden visits in the spring, plant exchanges and of course the annual show and fete held at the village hall in August each year.

Committee

Membership 
We welcome members from the parishes of  Chedworth, Yanworth & Stowell, Coln St. Dennis, Coln Rogers and neighbouring villages.   Please contact the Hon. Gen. Secretary, Mrs. Sophie Blackwell contact 01285 720626 sophie@handsblackwell.demon.co.uk  for details of membership.

Memberships are renewable on the 1st September each year , payable to the Treasurer or any member of the Committee.   Subscriptions can be paid on the Tuesday before the Annual Show at the Village Hall.

The subscriptions are :

Main Events

Annual Show & Fete

Saturday, 27th August 2011  from 2 – 5 p.m. at the Village Hall and on the Football Field.

This is the main event for the Society and takes place on the August Bank Holiday Saturday between 2.00 – 5.00 p.m. 

We welcome entries for Classes for Vegetables;  Fruit;  Flowers & Floral Art;  Domestic; Handicrafts;  Photography:  Childrens` and poetry exhibits , all of which are judged on the morning of the Show.  

The Show Schedule is distributed at the end of April each year and entries are submitted on the Tuesday of the week before the Show at the Village  Hall.

The Fete with entertainment including stalls and sideshows takes place in and around the Village Hall.   The craft stalls and produce sales are held in the marquee.

Garden Visits
Once again we are lucky that the owners of four fabulous gardens have agreed to let our members view them.  Three are local and are seldom, if ever, open to the public, and the fourth is a stunning Plantswoman’s Garden that is a little further away than usual but is definitely worth going the extra mile for.  There will be something of interest for everyone including a wonderfully planted pond, colourful formal and informal borders, wild flower meadows, vegetable gardens and rare plants chosen by a Chelsea Flower Show Judge. So please put these dates in your diary and make sure you don’t miss out on what promises to be some very enjoyable evenings.

We will meet at the Village Hall as usual, although the times will differ somewhat.  For April and July it will be at 6.pm, for May we will meet at 5.40 and in June at 5.30 pm.  Reminders and further information will be given in future editions of Hill and Valley. 

However, to inspire you for our April visit we are hoping that members will bring any cuttings or plants they wish to exchange or give away.  It should prove a fun way to start off our gardening season!

Garden Competitions
There are 2 garden competitions held annually.  

The Townsend Trophy for the best Village Flower garden is judged in April/July in alternate years.  

The Green Cup for the best Vegetable garden/plot is judged in July.   Members are encouraged to enter these competitions .

Plant sales/exchanges
These are held from time to time , advertised by the Secretary.

New members are always welcome to join the Society and should contact Mrs. Sophie Blackwell contact 01285 720626