Chairman’s Annual Diary 2024
Chairman’s Annual Diary 2024 is a review which appears in the 2025 booklet given out as part of the membership renewal.
Challenges in the garden, success and launching new projects are just a summary of 2024 for the horticultural society. The less we say about the weather, the better, however, we had good spells as well as bad ones and there were plenty of them! Nevertheless, some plants have made copious amounts of growth this year, particularly the hydrangeas, they have been fantastic.
The intention with our talks is to cover as many subjects, related to gardening as much as possible, yet keeping to a budget. They were very well attended, provided advice on growing and exhibiting, intriguing stories and mouthwatering venues to visit.
Our annual plant sale once again offered a wide choice of plants for your garden borders and containers. We also welcomed James again who introduced his carnivorous plants to many customers. We are looking forward to seeing him and his plants at our flower shows in 2025. The introduction of refreshments on the day was very well received. Having a cuppa takes the stress out of those decisions of what plant to have and where to plant.
Flower Shows
Despite the weather, our flower shows have been more than successful in all sections, and the introduction of exhibits by young children has been truly amazing. Even our flower judge, Jim Buttress, was elated to see so many exhibits on display and it made it difficult for him to judge. We need to congratulate Ann Palin for her dedication and enthusiasm to make this happen, the hard work of Jennifer Snelling of Biggin Hill Primary school, the children who put in so much effort and their parents for allowing them to participate. We will pursue it again in 2025 and hope more children will exhibit their prized work.
Another new introduction to each of the flower shows, are our sponsors. We thank them very much for supporting the horticultural society, easing the financial cost of staging these events and helping to promote their business. And of course, we must thank the numerous companies advertising in the schedule each year, which helps towards the annual running costs.
Part of the Biggin HIll Community
We have been threatening to stage a craft fair for somewhile, we put both feet forward and presented our first event. Thank you to all exhibitors who attended, showing off their wonderful skills and excellent original, handmade desirable gifts. A huge thanks must go to Ann Palin, Kerrie Penny, Suzanne Harrison and Christine Reeks for organising this successful event.
Some may argue how is this related to gardening. It is a community event, allows those to exhibit their fine work and helps to promote the horticultural society. Also, we must go back in history, when the Arts and Craft Movement was introduced in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. The core characteristics are a belief in craftmanship, which stresses the inherent beauty of the material, the importance of nature as inspiration and the value of simplicity, utility and beauty.
By this time, England began to emerge from the heavy shroud of Victorian design, often featuring geometric shapes and precise division of space. The likes of garden designers emerged, Gertrude Jekyll and William Morris were the main influencers of the Arts and Crafts Movement, and the informal garden was born.
2025 delights to come
The 2025 schedule will show all the usual information about shows and talks and will be listed together with important dates and times. The committee are also in the process of planning further ahead to ensure the future of the society is uppermost in our minds, to reach out further to our community, introduce more people into gardening, make our local surroundings better for everyone and improve our environment.
Gardening and meeting like-minded people, make connections with others to share and learn new techniques through our very friendly horticultural society. Should you wish to be part of it or would like to suggest new ideas, please let us know.
Finally, much of this would not happen without our dedicated, hardworking and genuine committee. I am very honoured to be part of a forward-thinking committee and changes are hard to install, however, this committee have made transitions very smooth, and I look forward to a positive future for the Biggin Hill and District Horticultural Society.
Thank you.
Nick Hagon, Chairman & President
The Chairman’s Annual Diary 2024 is a review of Biggin Hill & District Horticultural Society, which appears in the 2025 membership booklet. For how to join the Gardening Club, please drop us an email or come along to one of our events.
Biggin Hill & District Horticultural Society – Growing Gardens and Friendships
