Just a month to go until the Plant Sale!
Main event Saturday 22 May
We are delighted to report that Ann (Chavasse) is valiantly pulling together the plans for the Plant Sale. Back in the depths of lock-down, Ann “rather ambitiously advertised the sale for 22nd and 23rd May thinking that it would be unmanned like last year with Honesty Boxes” – (Ann’s words!).
However as things have moved on positively Covid-wise, we are now planning that on the Saturday morning we will be able to go back to the our usual Plant Sale format, for the Saturday morning, – with of course the usual Covid 19 safety measures in place.
What we need now is plants!
To make the most of this opportunity, we would really appreciate all donations of plants, large and small. With a month to go, there is perhaps time for any spare plants to be lifted, potted and to be settled and beautiful in time for the sale. If doing this please make sure that they are labelled so no guessing games are necessary! Any small veg. plants or bedding plants?
Also with so many new gardeners around, any unwanted tools to sell would be great.
Whatever you can offer, it would be really helpful if you could let Ann C. know, as this will help in planning. We are trying to predict how long our supply of plants may last e.g. whether there will be enough for a continuation as self-service on Sunday.
With what appears to be a national shortage of plants this year, we are envisaging good demand, and thinking the prices will be a little higher this year – with proceeds of course going to the Church funds. This year the focus is funds for a new boiler.
Please deliver your plants to the patio at the back of the village hall by Friday, 21 May, for sorting and pricing on Friday.
What’s the plan?
The main sale will be on Saturday 22 May, from 10.00-12.00 noon. David Down has kindly agreed to parking on the field behind the church.
Customers entering the sale area will be limited in number at any one time; we have two volunteers (Ian B. and Ian H.) who have kindly offered to “manage” the queuing masses.
Signs to remind of social distancing on the path and slope up to the patio.
A one-way system round the stalls.
Usual table lay out on patio with Garden Group volunteers serving. 10am - 12 noon.
Angela B and helpers taking money and overseeing crèche for sold plants.
It is still to be confirmed whether Covid rules will allow us to offer coffee and homemade cake in a well-spaced hall, or a stall of individually wrapped cakes for sale – this decision will be guided by Village Hall Committee and rules at the time – so probably a bit last minute.
From lunchtime on Saturday, we will revert to self-service and an honesty box. Ideally we could have a rota of volunteers to keep tables tidy and help/welcome the intermittent customers, possibly continuing on Sunday if there remain sufficient plants. These hours may be boring and cold!!
VOLUNTEERS PLEASE
If you would like to help with any or all of the above, please let Ann C. know so that she can sort out a rota. patrickchavasse@btinternet.com 01275 842296
VILLAGE GREEN NEWS
As you will have seen if you have been through the village in the last few days, planting got
underway last weekend, thanks to so many people who have contributed along the way, the two main beds are now definitely beginning to be a garden, with a few items still be to be added. Huge thanks and appreciation to the many people who has made a contribution to this project. It will be rewarding to start seeing the plants develop and fill out, especially in this wonderful weather.
On-going tasks remain: there has been a delay on being able to get the stone work and gravel areas sorted, so it was decided that we just needed to get on and get the plants into the ground. The poor sad bed by the road has been thoroughly trampled, such a shame, rather than using the nearly path, and will take time and hard work to bring back to life. The smart bench that you chose will be going into the corner between the cottage and the road, at the appropriate time.
Planters
Watering is now going to be key on the Village Green. John and Emma have very kindly offered us access to water to help. The need to maintain humidity is also vital for the planters in the village; if you live near one of the planters it would be great if you could keep them watered. Steve and Maureen are very kindly working to re-vamp the containers by the pub, and hopefully these, and the other planters will be ready to receive our huge delivery of free bedding plants next month.
Do let Pam Harrison know if you have a publicly visible spot to plant some annuals to brighten the village. Harrison-j10@sky.com
Gardening Group looking ahead.
As life begins to start to be a little more normal, we will hopefully be able to begin planning some activities for later in the summer. Please have a think of any topics or visits that you would like to see covered. Our “consultative” visit to Becky’s garden was lovely, interesting and useful to Becky. If either yourself, or perhaps a neighbour would like to invite a group visit, that might be an interesting possibility – fingers crossed we can get to that dizzy point of freedom!
Hoping to see some of you delivering, selling or buying plants at the sale,
With best wishes,
Chris and Penny
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