Spring News 2025
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE
PRESIDENT Alison Bleasdale
ACTING CHAIR, PUBLICITY Jan Juneman
VICE CHAIR, SHOW TEAM, VISITS ADMIN, WEBSITE Janet Jones
SECRETARY Jane Hodges
TREASURER Hugh Wauton
COMMITTEE MEMBER Caroline Rathbone
PLANT SALE ORGANISER Sue Bradder
RAFFLE Felicity Smith
REFRESHMENTS Sarah Waller
SHOW TEAM Anne Jelliffe
SHOW TEAM Helen Parker
SPEAKERS Vacant
VISITS, MEMBERSHIP, SEED ORDER Deborah Gibson
COMMITTEE At the AGM in January, attended by 41 members, we thanked Anne Pember (refreshments) and Sue Carter (talks) for their time on the Committee. Both of them have kindly said they will remain as supporters of the Society. We welcomed Caroline Rathbone to the Committee and the other members of the committee were all re-elected at the AGM. We are also delighted to welcome Sarah Waller who responded to our request for new committee members and she will be looking after refreshments. We are still looking for another committee member so if you would like to join our happy group then contact Jan Juneman on 01749 813439.
In accordance with the Society’s Rules, Jan Juneman was elected Chair and Janet Jones Vice Chair by the Committee. Also in January our annual Winter Lunch was held at The Old Red Lion, Brewham attended by 21 members and guests who all very much enjoyed the excellent meal.
NEWSLETTERS We send out two newsletters a year, in February and September, detailing events and news for the next period. Most members receive their newsletters by email and we do also deliver some by hand or post. We never pass on email addresses. Our meetings appear on the diary pages of The Dove magazine and the whole year programme is available on the website as above, together with regular reports. We are keen to welcome new members, so please invite any friends who may be interested to a talk or visit to have a taste of what we offer.
Membership last year was 88 and in our centenary show year we would hope to increase this to over 100.
SEED ORDER In 2023/24 the Dobies seed order raised £34 for the Society. The scheme has changed with an increase in the discounts for members to 50% for seeds and 15% on other items but no longer a payment to the society.
Orders are made directly by members either online, by phone or by post and catalogues are available at talks or online to browse at your leisure. Remember to use the Society’s discount code when placing your order. This is shown on the group booking form but if you are booking online or using the non-group form, please email Deborah on deborahmarygibson@icloud.com to request the code.
SHOW PHOTO CLASSES So that you have time to find subjects to photo over the next few months, the following are the photo classes in this year’s Show Schedule:
Centenary celebrated
“Gone to seed”
My shed
Chocolate
Winter wonderland
Glasses
Fire and smoke
Front cover for “The Dove” - a black and white photo suitable for using as a cover for The Dove magazine, this needs to be of high resolution and a strong image linked to one of the monthly editions.
PROGRAMME Deborah and Sue Carter have put together a most interesting programme of visits and talks for this year. Please see the details on the programme page and use the booking form to book your visits.
We are always keen to have any ideas for future talks/visits so please send these to Deborah on deborahmarygibson@icloud.com
PLANT SALE We will be holding our Plant Sale/Coffee morning on Saturday, 10th May in Bruton Community Hall so please start potting-up divided perennials and planting seeds and cuttings. Please label these and bring them along to the hall on the morning of the sale. We also welcome cakes and savouries for the produce table.
ANNUAL SHOW The Annual Show Schedule will be available at the Plant Sale, from the Community Office, Library and the usual High Street shops well before the Show, which is on Saturday, August 16th at the Fitzjames Hall, King’s School, Bruton, BA10 0ED.
MEMBERSHIP FEES
These are now payable for 2025, so please pay at the February or March meeting or see details on the Join Us page.