Meon Valley Garden Club

The Meon Valley Garden Club has been in existence for over 100 years, although up to twenty years ago it was known as the Meon Valley Flower Show Society.  It is a friendly and sociable group, drawing its membership from the villages of the Meon Valley and further afield including Horndean, Fareham, Southampton and Portsmouth.

The club offers its members the benefits of a full programme of activities throughout the year, which includes Spring and Summer Shows, visits to gardens, talks, plant sales and social events.

The Club is delighted to announce that Kate Williams and Lindsey Ockenden have volunteered to join the Committee.  As relatively new members to the Club, it is fantastic to see them not just participating in Club activities but also having an active role in its' management. Welcome to the Committee Kate and Lindsey!

As the Garden Club comes to the end of the second year of the pandemic, it's good to reflect on what was achieved during this Covid restricted year.  In contrast to the first year when no events were possible, during 2021 Members were able to put on the Summer Show in July.  The timing for this had its challenges as the show was scheduled for the day before the easing of Covid restrictions, and consequently had to follow lockdown rules.  This involved:  a reduction in the number of exhibition classes to allow for a one way system, instigation of track and trace, mask wearing and the provision of sanitiser stations.  The weather in the lead up to the show had been very unsettled with a prolonged cold and wet spring and early summer.  This lead to a reduced entry in the fruit and vegetable classes (few ripe tomatoes for instance!), but a good showing in the flower classes, and very good entry in the cooking classes.  The show went very well and was blessed with one of the few hot sunny days of 2021 enabling many of the events to be held outside.  Although attendance was good, it was lower than previous non-pandemic years but was enjoyed by all.

Various scheduled garden visits and talks went ahead from July and were much appreciated by those attending.  

The autumn plant sale in Droxford Hall went ahead in October as usual and was well attended.  It was a great relief to be able to go back to doing normal things again in spite of some Covid restrictions.

If you would like to join the club, please contact the Membership Secretary Phil Butler on 01489 877596 or [email protected].