The Potato Man

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The Garden Club were treated to a very interesting talk on Thursday 15th October. The Speaker was David Hopkins, who was really enthusiastic about his subject - "The history of the potato in Lincolnshire". We learnt about the origins of the potato in Peru and how it was grown in this country from the 16th century. We were told about how important a part of the diet the potato became and about the potato famines. David also told us about some of the many varieties that he has grown. We also had a potato themed raffle.

Flower and Produce Show

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Bicker Garden Club held their first Flower and Produce Show on Thursday 17th September. Members entered produce in twelve different categories - ranging from best fruit and vegetables, through flower arrangements to cakes, jams and pickles. Everyone enjoyed sampling the jams, pickles and cakes and then voted for their favourites. Certificates were awarded to the winners and runners up. Most of the fruit and vegetables were auctioned at the end of the evening, which raised money for the club funds.

A Talk By Nick Hamilton

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Bicker Garden Club held a special event on the evening of Thursday 3rd September - a talk given by the present owner of Barnsdale Gardens, Nick Hamilton. He is the son of Geoff Hamilton. The talk, with the title "Essential summer flowering shrubs", was advertised quite widely. An audience of over 60 people were treated to a very entertaining and informative talk, which was illustrated with numerous slides of shrubs and flowers. Nick Hamilton answered questions from the audience afterwards and the evening was counted a great success.

Summer Barbecue

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Terry and Dorothy Hill hosted the garden club Summer Barbecue in their garden, on the evening of Thursday 23rd July. Over thirty members and friends attended and had a really enjoyable evening. We were extremely lucky with the weather - the evening was one of the few dry and sunny ones in a very changeable week.

Pygmy Goats

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On Saturday 20th June Chris and Penny Renn held an open afternoon at their smallholding. Penny is a member of Bicker Garden Club and breeds pygmy goats. Over thirty members of the club and their friends attended the open afternoon. They were able to cuddle some of the kids, find out about goat breeding and view the gardens and greenhouse. Tea and home-made cakes were served.

Visit to Stixwould

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A group of members and friends had a very pleasant afternoon at Andrew Sankey's cottage garden, on Friday 12th June. Andrew told us some of the history of the garden and details of many of the plants. He also identified specific plants for us. We spent a while looking round the garden in the warm sunshine before having tea and cake. Some people bought plants for their own gardens.

A Wedding!

Two members of Bicker Garden Club, Mr JL Kerfoot and Miss TA Croft, were recently married at St Gilbert and St Hugh's Church, Gosberton Clough and Risegate. The members of Bicker Garden Club extend their warmest congratulations and wish Tina and James happiness in their future together.

Visit to Church Flower Festivals

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A group of members of Bicker Garden Club shared cars and had a day out visiting five of the local church flower festivals, on Tuesday 28th April. We started with Sutterton and then went on to Pinchbeck where we had morning coffee. Surfleet was next, where we had booked our lunch. After that we visited Gosberton and finally Donington, where we had afternoon tea. The flower arrangers had worked really hard in all the churches and the Garden Club members enjoyed looking round. There were a number of very imaginative arrangements. The members also bought plants, pots, cakes, jig-saws etc from various stalls. We all had a very enjoyable day.

Visit to RHS Harlow Carr

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Bicker Garden Club had their first outing of the year on Saturday 21st March. Members of the club, as well as friends, were joined by members of Wigtoft Garden Club on a visit to RHS Harlow Carr in Yorkshire. The weather was beautiful - warm and sunny all day - and everyone spent a few enjoyable hours wandering around the extensive gardens.

Visit to Brodsworth Hall

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On Monday 16th February a number of the members of Bicker Garden Club joined a coach trip run by Wigtoft Garden Club. The outing was to Brodsworth Hall near Doncaster. Everyone had an enjoyable time. The weather was fine and mild - a great contrast to that of recent weeks - and the gardens were stunning.

2009 Programme

A bit of winter colour - Wych Hazel flowers

15th January
"Photographing Your Garden" Tony Boughen

19th February
"Puddle Paddock - An Acre of Land" Sue Stephenson

21st March
Visit - RHS Harlow Carr

16th April
"House Plants - Orchids" Carol Hutton
Plus plant sale/seed swap

21st May
"Herbs in containers" Brian Holman

12th June Visit - Stixwould, Andrew Sankey's garden - meet at Village Hall at 2.00pm, dept. 2.15pm (map available on day) £3.00 inc. refreshments

20th June
Open Day at Chris & Penny Renn's Pygmy Goats (1.00pm-5.00pm), 134 Northorpe Road, Donington

23rd July
Summer Barbecue/Event

8th July
Visit - Barnsdale Gardens, Rutland. £13.00 entry and coach, departure from Village Hall 9.10am

Special Event
3rd September
Nick Hamilton from Barnsdale
(son of the late Geoff Hamilton of BBC Gardeners' World)
Bicker Village Hall, 7.30pm, tickets £3.00 (members), £4.00 (non-members) available from Committee

17th September
Produce Show - Vegetables/plants/flowers/cakes/ jams etc
Plus "Your garden in pictures"

15th October
"The History of the Potato in Lincolnshire" David Hopkins

19th November
AGM - Wine and Cheese - followed by a Quiz

December
Christmas Event (date and details to be decided)