Bexrose Bulletin
OCTOBER 2006
Published by the Bexleyheath & District Rose Society.
Patron:- Dr. David G. Hessayon
President:- Mr. W. Skinner
Vice President:- Mr. J. Elliott
Chairman:- Mr. A. Nunn
Vice Chairman:- Mr. B. Rainsbury
Hon. Secretary:- Mrs. J.Newton
Hon Treasurer:- Mrs. Z.Neale
Show Secretary:- Mr. A. Neale
Membership Secretary:- Mrs. M. Cornell
Miss V. Rochester
Other Committee members:- Mr. R. Jones, Mr. R. Pulling, Mrs. D. Carr, Mrs. D. Lemon, Mrs. J. Dyer.
Web Site:- www.bexrose.org.uk
Webmaster Chris Newton Email:- postmaster@bexrose.org.uk
Next Meeting Tuesday 24th October 2006
We meet once again at St. John Fisher Hall, Thanet Rd, Bexley where the hall will be open from 7-15pm for setting up. The meeting will start at 8pm until 10pm with a break at 9pm for refreshments and the raffle and of course a chance to chat to other members. Our speaker this month is Jim Buttress who will tell us all about the "Britain in Bloom" Competition of which he is Chairman of the Judging panel.
We have our last Rose Table show this month and our Floral Art Subject this month will be "Autumn Leaves". You may do your display in an oasis or a vase.
Welcome to New Members
Mrs. R. Lamper of Welling
Mrs. P. Winton of Chislehurst.
Mrs. D. Hipsey of Greenwich
Obituary
We were very sorry to hear of the death of Mr. D. Osmon. Our condolences to his wife and family.
The Rose Growers Calendar by kind permission of Don Charlton.
1. The last of the decent roses this month so make the most of them while you can. And keep up the good housekeeping.
2. While or after deadheading it is advisable to lightly prune rose bushes to prevent wind rock during autumn and winter storms.
3. Finish the preparation of new rose beds in readiness for the arrival of your new bushes.
Date for your Diary
The last of the RHS flower shows for this year. 10th & 11th November RHS Halls Westminster.
Winter Break Thursday 23rd to Sunday 26th November 2006
Our 4 day winter break this year is to York where we will see the St. Nicholas Fair. There will be no excuse not to buy all your Christmas presents as apart from the Fair York has lots of wonderful shops including Antique shops. For those who are not so inclined there are many other attractions including the Railway Museum and Fairfax House, both always worth a visit. We still have 4 twins and 1 single room available so if you are interested please contact either Janet or Vanessa (phone numbers above)
The cost is £196 for a single and £178 per person for a twin. We are staying at the Ripon Spa Hotel once again and I am sure everyone is eagerly awaiting a chance to attack those wonderful Gateaux made by one of the waiters.
The Society's Recent Trip to Devon
As usual Bob was on time to pick us up at our usual starting points and with a lovely sunny day ahead of us we made very good time to Stourhead after the usual breakfast stop on the way. Stourhead is probably the best known landscape garden in the world and even if you have never visited it you will recognise the lake and pavillions and temples that give this vast area a feeling of grandeur. It was like meeting old friends to take their photographs. As you made your way down the wooded path the wonderful vistas across the lake were gradually revealed. This to me was very cleaver garden architecture. The house is grand too and was built in the 1720s for banker Henry Hoare by Colen Campbell. After the grand tour of the gardens most of us found our way to a watering hole for lunch and a quick browse in the shop before getting back on the coach and the fairly long drive down to Torquay passing Stonehenge on the way.
We were greeted at the hotel by the Managing Director and lots of us found we had lovely rooms with views overlooking Torbay and some even had balconies although we couldn't sit on them as there were very strong winds. We hoped that they would have abated by morning or a few of us would loose our wigs. The evening meal was excellent as were all the meals throughout our stay and the waiting staff were charming and very helpful. It makes such a difference staying in a family run hotel. We had very good musical entertainment in the evening while we drank our coffee in the lounge.
Saturday we had a free morning to do as we liked and most of us took the bus into Torquay while some of the more energetic ones walked. After a potter around the shops (no Marks and Sparks, they are now at a retail park our of town to many peoples disappointment) we had a bite to eat and watched the boats and the sea birds and then made our way back to the hotel ready for our afternoon trip to Babacoombe Model Village. This was just as much fun and as well cared for as the last time I saw it back in the 70s. A large viewing platform has now been built which is a great asset. We had a good laugh at all the funny names of the shops and the tradesmen and the planting was bright and colourful with lots of little acers and hebe's cut small to represent trees. There was also a workshop showing us how they made and repaired models. The model of the circus was fascinating too and we spent some time looking at the horses in their stalls and the acrobats and elephants, lions and tigers performing in the little rings in the big top. There was also a model railway which interested to men. The tea room ran out of cream teas after our lot descended on them even though we would have another large evening meal back at the hotel. Some of our members seem to have hollow legs!
Sunday we took a ride from Paignton to Dartmouth on the little steam railway and met the coach at the top of the hill overlooking the river Dart and the Royal Naval College. It was only a short drive to Coleton Fishacre where the house is now open to the public. And what a wonderful example of the art deco period. It reminded me very much of the interior of Eltham Palace. The ceiling lights were unique and the dining room had La Lalique glass wall lights. The lounge was a lovely spacious room, very light and airy and visitors were encouraged to play the piano. The Garden is lovely being in a stream fed valley which goes right down to the sea. Some of us made the journey down but found it tougher coming back. The gardens around the house were really pretty even at this time of year and there looked as if there was going to be new planting next season in some areas. Of course we stopped at the cafe for lunch and a browse around the shop and then back on the coach for a visit to Brixham where many of us were just content to sit and watch the boats and eat an ice cream. The entertainment this evening was at the hotel across the road which also belonged to the Rue family and many of our members went and a jolly good time was had by all.
Monday we made the quite long journey across Dartmoor to Rosemoor on the north side of Devon. Quite a lot of work has been done here since our last visit as I described in the last Bulletin. The roses were making a fair show although late in the season and the new Plantsmans Garden, Pottage, Cottage and Foliage Gardens were all worth a visit. We also made the long walk past the lake and down to Lady Annes garden with its huge collection of plants. The long border up by the restaurant was still colourful and the pillars of Morning Glory were very stricking. Many of us wandered around the garden centre choosing plants and Vanessa rather went over board with her 10% discount putting everyones shopping into her baskets, we had to get a trolley in the end to transport it all back to the coach, I don't think the staff were very amused, we won't be able to go back there for a while! Another wonderful meal at the hotel was followed by a walk down the road to another of the Rue family hotels for some Line dancing and western music.
Tuesday arrived and sadly we had to say goodbye to the hotel staff and make our way back to Bexleyheath.We all vowed we would come back to this hotel as we were looked after so well. We stopped at Salisbury for lunch and a couple of hours sight seeing round the town, (lots of shops and a market). We were a bit peeved that the Cathedral charged £3-50 to go in and compared to most churches we have visited this one didn't seem to have much to offer apart from a copy of the Magna Carta in the Chapter house and some very nice tapestry cushions each depicting a saint which I presume the Dean and Chapter sit on when they are having their meetings. We had our lunch in the refectory and soon it was time for us to get back on the coach and drive back to Bexleyheath. Dave entertained us on the way with a rendition of Albert and the Lion (from memory) and he also read out the holiday poem which he and Anne had just finished.
We all agreed that this was one of the best holidays that we have undertaken, everything went off very well except we were unable to visit Cockington as the road was too narrow to get the coach down. The Hotel was excellent as was the food, the weather was lovely and warm and sunny, that makes all the difference and the places we visited were all different which made for a very interesting and enjoyable holiday.
Devon Delights
1. Dave & Ann did suffer a failed alarm clock 2. A perfect day to view lake and ground
So when Margaret phoned it was quite a shock! Most of us walked the lake all around
But off we all set through traffic thick, With Temples and Grotto's & trees so tall
Bob got us to Stourhead really quick! But modernistic art did not match at all!
3. A wasp sting did cause poor Les to lurch 4. The morning free to walk the shore
But found his wallet after frantic search. Or catch the bus for shopping once more.
On to the Hotel, and what a treat The Model Village delights us all
The meal and Duo made evening complete. With scaled down trees and "Lord Elpus Hall"
5. But trust Alec to eat the last cream tea 6. Sunday seems to go so very well
No access for coach Cockington Village to see! I've no incidents nor jokes to tell!
The evening meal again a treat Great Steam train ride, view house and flowers
But loud planning issues whilst we eat??? And Brixton Town--what lovely hours!
7. For evening entertainment we cross the road 8. Vanessa's voucher cause shop girls to frown
How roses dance the guests there we showed! "I'm planting my garden, hate shopping in Town"
The long morning drive past edge of moor To another Hotel for last dance and croon
To Rosemoor Gardens for us to explore. We cleared the 'real' guests from out the room!
9. All packed up and saying goodbyes to staff 10. Hotel food & service was "par excellence".
Who all said they loved us having a laugh! So different to service we got in France!
Grateful thanks to Bob for driving us down The weather too remained warm & fine
Shame Yvonne & Les late back in Salisbury Town. So thanks Vanessa!-- We had a great time!
The History of the Rose
In 1924 Sven Poulsen from Denmark produced his first hybrid, a multi flowered repeat flowering rose which he named Else Poulsen. The rose had large trusses of flowers which continued throughout the growing season. This was achieved by crossing Polyanthas roses with Hybrid Teas. Poulsen produced many more roses in the same vane as did breeders from USA, Britain and Germany. Thus the Floribunda was born but the type was not recognised by the RNRS until 1952. The classification was changed in 1979 to "Cluster Flowered Bushes" but the trade still seem to call the bushes Floribunda's.
The modern Floribunda has many advantages. They are a good rose for the average gardener to grow as they are hardier and easier to grow than their Hybrid Tea Counterparts. The blooms fair better in wet weather, Hybrid Teas blooms tend to spot and fade and the single elegant blooms droop with the weight of water. Floribunda's flower continually throughout the season giving a large splash of colour to a small area, the blooms however are much smaller and lack the elegance of the Hybrid Tea. Masquerade is probably the best known variety and was the first multi coloured rose turning from yellow to salmon pink and then to deep red. Iceberg is a popular white variety but Margaret Merrill beats it for elegance of bloom. Hannah Gordon has become a popular rose for the show bench ( cream blooms edged with red) together with Sexy Rexy (pink) and Sally Holmes (cream, open blooms). Queen Elizabeth comes in pink and scarlet and is very vigorous and easy to propagate with good disease resistance. The first winner of Rose of the year was Mountbatten in 1982
The Floribunda is now a very versatile rose and a variety can be found for almost all needs in the garden. They can be grown as a standard or bush. The tall varieties are good for making colourful hedges and there are vigorous climbers. The dwarf varieties have become great favourites as they can be grown in pots and have now been moved to a category of their own now known as Patio Roses. Next month we will look at the Patio Rose.
Rose Table Show for September
Experience
HT Bloom 1st T. Cox 2nd A. Nunn 3rd Not awarded
Floribunda 1st A. Nunn 2nd B. Rainsbury 3rd Not awarded
Miniatures 1st B. Rainsbury 2nd D. Lemon 3rd D. Cox
Novice
HT 1st R. Dowdall 2nd R. Madden 3rd Not awarded
Floribunda 1st R. Madden 2nd Not awarded 3rd Not awarded
Miniatures 1st R. Madden 2nd Not awarded 3rd Not awarded
Points awarded
Experienced A. Nunn 6 B. Rainsbury 6 T. Cox 4 D. Lemon 2 D. Cox 1
Total B. Rainsbury 21 D. Lemon 18 A. Nunn 14 T. Cox 4 M. Downs 1 D. Cox 1
Novice R. Madden 10 R. Dowdall 4
Total R. Madden 17 V. Pulling 15 O. Brooks 6 R. Harris 6 R. Dowdall 4 R. Brum 4
V. Giltrow 3 L.Beadle 3 A. Nunn 1
Floral Art for September
1st E. Purnell 60 coins 2nd R. Madden 49 coins 3rd O. Brookes 47 coins 4th P. Rainsbury 46 coins
5th D. Lemon 23 coins
Total amount raised for the Woodlands Farm Trust £4- 93p
Pot Grown Bulb for the Spring Show.
As suggested by John Hughes we have purchased 30 Hyacinth bulbs for members to grow and show at the Spring Show in a special class. The size of the pot should be 5" in diameter. These bulbs are not the prepared indoor type so should be kept in a cold but sheltered place and will hopefully start to show in February. Each bulb will cost 60p. If you would like to enter this class contact Janet or Vanessa either by phone of at the next meeting.
Day Trip Monday 11th December.
We have once again organised a day trip with City and Villages to take us around the west end of London to see the Christmas lights. We will then take a cruise down the Thames to Greenwich where we will have a Fish & Chip Supper at one of the riverside pubs. The cost provisionally is £32 as we are not sure if the meal will be the same price as last year. There will be Chicken & Chips or a Vegetarian alternative for those who would prefer it. The trip will probably start at about 2pm from the Central Library Bexleyheath but all costs and times will be confirmed at a later date. If you would like to join this trip please get in touch with Janet.
Secretary's Report on the September Meeting.
Our speaker this month was Mr. R. Garwood from Keston and his talk was on gardens of the National Trust through the eyes of a non gardener. Mr. Garwood first reminded us that the National Trust was founded not only to save old buildings but to make gardens and the countryside available to all. The Chairman of the Open Spaces Committee made the remark that "Open spaces were the sitting rooms of the poor". The first piece of land donated to the trust in 1895 and was 4 acres of clifftop at Barmouth. The first property was the Old Clergy House at Alfreston. Mr. Garwood had some excellent slides to illustrate his talk and he showed us Powis Castle the oldest unchanged garden in England. Capability Brown was commissioned to improve the grounds but the owners were horrified when he advocated tearing everything up and starting again. They decided to leave it as it was. We were given a short history of the lawnmower, what amazing contraptions they were to start with but have changed little from their original basic principles. Mr. Garwood showed us slides of the Japanese Garden at Tatton Park, Mottisfont rose garden, Stourhead which we had just visited, Sissinghurst and Lawrence Johnson's Hidcote Manor, all very different gardens and all created with very different ideas in mind.
Chairman Alec Nunn asked for any questions and then the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to Mr Garwood for his most interesting talk.