Macclesfield and East Cheshire Branch Newsletter

Transcription

1 Macclesfield and East Cheshire Branch Newsletter A triumph for the Tatton Team Many congratulations

2 CHAIRPERSON S THOUGHTS 3 This has been a remarkably successful year for our branch; we have won the BCSS prize to be presented to a branch that had made a significant contribution to the Society during the year by selling more Information Packs than almost the rest of the Society. Our presence at shows has been one of the best ever, Tortoise Day in mid-may resulted in great sales and a lot of interest generated through the tortoise growing community. In Congelton we attended the plant fair, with a small display and good plant sales. At the Wilmslow Show, we did not have as many entries as the year before but still a very good number and the quality was extremely good, we also sold nearly 200 of plants at our plant stall, which is definitely a record. The Tatton Show exceeded our expectations by netting us not only a Gold medal but an award for the best exhibit in the Plant Societies marquee. The Poynton show was very good for us, too, we had a good number of plant exhibits, another nice display for which we got a Silver award and we sold several more Information packs and a lot of Cactus seed.as a result of all this activity we have raised a considerable sum of money to help towards running the branch and ensuring that we can continue to run it as we would wish. The attendance at meetings has risen; as the room seems to be packed out every month, with the members chatting away so much it has been difficult to allow the speaker time to speak. This has been due to some excellent speakers, several of which have been new or newly discovered and they have attracted the good numbers, wishing to hear them. We need to keep offering a lively, informative and interesting programme throughout the year, to ensure that numbers attending stay high. None of this would have been possible without the enthusiasm and very hard work of those of the branch who have helped organise and run these activities. I really have to say a very big Thank You to all of those who have contributed to making this branch one I am proud of to be a member and also Chair person. Please remember, this branch cannot function without the necessary work and good will from the members, please consider helping out at any of these events, as every contribution is gratefully received and it helps to the well-being and health of our branch. I made a comment the other day about branches that flounder; it can be due to the lack of enthusiasm that leads to their decline. Let s keep the enthusiasm here and continue to give a lead to other branches, don t get left behind by progress and work at letting the general public see what we have to offer. Thank you everyone for making this such a good branch. Elizabeth 2

3 Cheshire Tortoise Day - 17 th MAY 2014 Extracts from a report received from Julia. The 13th year of this event was held at The Village Hall, Mottram St. Andrew, near Alderley Edge. This was organised by the Cheshire Group of the British Chelonia Group (BCG). Well over 600 visitors attended, despite the soaring temperatures on the hottest day of the year plus many sporting fixtures around the country. More families than previous years attended, The Cheshire group planned the event to include educational and natural history aspects of chelonia and also fun activities for younger visitors. The team of vets and nursing staff from The Avian and Exotic Animal Clinic in Manchester were kept busy with in depth tortoise advice and a micro chipping service. Almost 200 tortoises were seen by the Cheshire Group for their weighin and nail and beak clipping where necessary. The Macclesfield Branch of the British Cactus and Succulent Society was kept busy with advice and cactus and succulent sales. The National Trust stand was busy along with other sales stands displaying fossils and minerals, crafts, gifts and plants. The raffle and tombola proved very successful and children enjoyed the pet drawing competition and Pick a Turtle Egg draw. The refreshment kitchen was in much demand for the now famous Tortoise Day bacon baps. The next event will be on 16 th May Please note that there is a change of venue to Woodford Community Centre, Woodford, near Stockport, SK7 1PS. Details will be available in Spring Contact Julia: Food for thought As Elizabeth has pointed out this has been a very busy year and also a very successful one. At the heart of the Tatton success was a planning group of six who were also the major donors of plants for the exhibit, these were Eliz Maddock. Peter Cupial Jones, Bruce Walton, Bryan Doherty, Judith and David Roseblade. One can add to this group members who were minor suppliers of plants and/or helpers at the Show. Also taking Congleton, Tortoise Day, High Legh Garden Centre, Wilmslow Show and Poynton Show into account I reckon at least 18 members were involved at events where the branch met the public, this is a remarkable total and few branches, if any, could equal this. I think that there is still a challenge left for this year. Along with Bradford we were joint winners of Branch of the Year 2013; this year the gudelines are more focused on innovation rather than doing well in established activities. Can we discern innovation in what the branch has achieved or is there still a need or time to come up with something that is particularly innovative? I have no idea of what might be submitted but I read and hear about links with schools and children s art included in a branch show, Meetings using Skype and audio editions of CactusWorld. I would appreciate hearing the views of members. Alasdair 3

4 Wilmslow Show First of all a big thank you to the group of helpers setting up on Saturday morning and during and after the show on Sunday. This was very much appreciated by the Wilmslow & Alderley show committee as well as myself and David. The total number of entries was 180 and each of the branch entrants won prize money. Listed below are the complete results of the show (a) Wormald Cup - most points awarded in classes 99 to 117 (Cacti) Winner - David Roseblade 81 points Second - Harold Cooper 67 Third - Bruce Walton 8 Fourth - Brian Johnstone 3 (b) S.F. Taylor Cup - points awarded in classes 118 to 134 (Succulents) Winner - Harold Cooper 91 points Second - Elizabeth Maddock 29 Third - David Roseblade 12 The following entrants were awarded points as below:- Julia Davenport 9 points Brian Johnstone 5 Bruce Walton 4 (c) Tom Williamson Cup - best Cactus in show Winner - Harold Cooper (d) Wilbraham Cup - best Succulent in show Winner - Harold Cooper (e) Len Rowbotham Cup - points awarded in classes 135 & 136 (Beginner Cacti & Succulents) Winner - Paul Leese 16 points Second - Brian Johnstone 4 (f) Branch Diploma - points awarded in class 137 (Junior Exhibitor Cacti) Winner - Evan Gifford (No other entrants) (g) Branch Diploma - points awarded in class 138 (Junior Exhibitor Succulents) Winner - Amelie Gifford (No other entrants) (h) Ron Ginns Medal - most points awarded in classes 99 to 134 Winner - Harold Cooper 158 points Second - David Roseblade 93 Third - Elizabeth Maddock 29 Fourth - Bruce Walton 12 Fifth - Julia Davenport 9 Sixth - Brian Johnstone 8 The trophies were presented on Show day by Peter Robinson and David Roseblade. Judith Roseblade 4

5 Clockwise from top right: Harold and David, leading points scorers at Wilmslow. Seed raising demo at Tatton. The Succulent end at Tatton. Display at Poynton. The Cactus end at Tatton. Display at High Legh. An impressive poster prepared by High Legh GC to announce our presence. 5

6 Forthcoming attractions October The first item to take up our attention this month is the Mesmb Show in Manchester on the 11th Lots of plants to see and lots to buy from branches and individuals. Keith Larkin will probably be there with his usual fine selection of books. More details of the event are on the back page. Stuart Estell, from Birmingham, the speaker at our October meeting could be described as one of the younger school. This will be Stuart s first visit to the branchand he is be talking about a group of plants of which we hear very little at branches - Opuntias. The title of the talk is actually a question. But Opuntias don t flower, do they. Do come and find out the answer. A thoroughly enjoyable event which comes round every October is the Zone 3 Rally and it s, as usual, in the Working Men s Club in Carlton Village near Wakefield. This year s date is Saturday 25th and three excellent speakers are booked - Al Laius (African Adventures), Graham Charles (Columnar Cactus of South America) and Wiebe Bosma (Ethiopia). There s a small Show of 5 classes, including one for branches, and lunch is at the Carvery in the adjoining pub. I can provide further information. November The branch got to know Mike Stansbie a few years ago when he judged our Show on two occasions. I think, however, that this will be his first visit to us as a speaker. Mike, an excellent grower and a successful exhibitor, is also Secretary of the Society s Shows Committee but he s not talking about Shows or Mammillarias, the subject is, for some a confusing and for others a frightening topic - names. I m sure that after What s in a name? History and principles of plant naming we will all feel much more comfortable about the subject. As is always the case in November the Library meeting room is used for charity Christmas card sales and we meet in the Parish Hall. To find the Parish Hall from the Library, turn right, go over the lights at Water Lane, bear left into Green Lane leading to Bank Square. Turn right, down Church Street past the Parish Church on left, cross a small bridge and the hall and car park are on the left. The address is Clliff Road, SK9 4AA. December We re now moving into the risky weather season and have a speaker from near home. Ivor Crook from Manchester a regular visitor to the branch both as a speaker and as a member of the audience. The talk, Rebutias, a personal view will be shorter than our usual talks to allow time for pre-christmas socialising and to share the plates of Christmas food which you are invited to bring to the meeting. Alasdair 6

7

8 SATURDAY OCTOBER 11TH 2014 BCSS MANCHESTER BRANCH PROUDLY PRESENTS THE NORTH WEST MESEMB SHOW ST THOMAS MORE CHURCH HALL, KIRKWAY, ALKRINGTON, MIDDLETON, MANCHESTER M24 1PP SHOW OPEN: 10.30am pm Judging and Talk by Alice Vanden Bon Talk at 2.00pm From the Cape to the Orange River ADMISSION : 3.00 (INCL. TALK)