Chairman’s letter Spring 2024

CHAIRMAN’S LETTER – Spring 2024

Dear Members,

Gardeners are rather like farmers. We are never really happy with the weather but this year I feel we are rather more than justified. The ground is utterly sodden but as I write the sun is attempting to shine and we have not had many hard frosts. Spring is winning with Snowdrops, Aconites and Daffodils making a welcome appearance.

On behalf of the committee I would like to welcome our new members and very much hope that you are enjoying being part of EAGG.

I would also like to reiterate how encouraging it was for us when Rowan and Jane almost immediately responded with our SOS for help with Teas at the last meeting; a real team effort. Thank You. While on the subject of teas, I think there are spaces on the rota for future meetings so PLEASE contact Lynne on contact@eagg.com and, just a nudge, please remember to bring a contribution for the tea table - sandwiches, savouries, cakes, buns and anything else delicious. Thank You.

This year’s opening talk was given by Luci Skinner on the subject of Auriculas which was absorbing and enjoyable and very well attended. By the time you read this you will have been transported to the beautiful Gardens of the South East with Barbara Segall. Sadly I will miss this but I have already indulged in the glorious pictures in her book.

In April we have a bonus month with a talk on 6th April by Matthew Oliver from Hyde Hall on ‘Unusual Edibles’ , and then at the end of the month we have our celebrity speaker, Robin Lane Fox, who has been writing on gardens for over 40 years and is the author of ‘Thoughtful Gardening’. I think it will be a very interesting afternoon on many levels.

It was a shame that the weather was so awful that Chippenham Park Snowdrops had to be abandoned, but visits are now being finalised and details are to be found in the Newsletter and on the Website. The good news is that an EAGG Holiday is in the pipeline for 2025 and we will keep you posted.

We are planning something new this year by having a SEED SWAP after our November 3rd talk by Ed Flint on ‘Container Gardening’. Tea will be replaced by Mince Pies and Mulled Wine and soft drinks will be available. Gather your seeds, pop them into a brown envelope, name them and swap them for something you may never have grown before. Hopefully this will be a social way to end the year.

I do ask you to participate in EAGG and help the Committee guide EAGG into the future and maintain it as an interesting, relevant, active group. Please tell us what you are really interested in and would like to learn about, not only talks, but visits as well.

In the meantime, enjoy your gardens , keep well, and Chelsea will soon be here.

With my thanks to you all and especially my Co-Chair Erica, and Isobel who puts this newsletter together, and the Committee for their support, their laughter and friendship.

Fiona Pearson, Co-Chair


Very best wishes


Fiona Pearson - Co-Chair