Although Grayshott Gardeners could not hold their Summer Show, no pandemic was going to stop them holding their annual “Potato Championship”, albeit in a different location from usual and with a different judge. With a total of 13 entries, all bagged, labelled and delivered, the number exceeded what we have had in a normal show for several years.

This year the variety chosen was the First Early potato “Swift”, supplied by Avalon, Hindhead. Members entered into the spirit of the competition and added an element of fun. One exhibit came as a basketful of small potatoes, just like a nest of eggs resting on shredded paper. Another had a potato decorated with the “COVID19 Rainbow”!

Who, it was asked, will judge?

In the absence of a qualified judge from the RHS Register of Judges, in this less than usual year, Mavis Hallt was invited to judge. The cup for the “Potato Competition”, the “Mike Hallt Cup”, was donated in memory of Mavis’s late husband, a keen vegetable and potato grower. With no previous experience, Mavis reluctantly accepted the invitation.

On the day of judging, the potatoes were laid out, 3 per plate, as in the schedule, on a table in the open air to comply with “safe distancing”!

Mavis arrived complete with Mike’s copy of the “RHS Horticultural Show Handbook” opened at the page for “The Judging of Vegetables – Potatoes”, detailing the merits and defects to be considered and the “Advice to Judges”.

Mavis had taken the invitation very seriously and clearly done her homework beforehand. The “Advice” included a checklist of criteria to be taken into account when judging potatoes and a weighted points scoring basis on which to judge Condition, Uniformity, Shape, Eyes and Size (not being of main importance). Once Mavis had carefully looked at all 13 entries, she made a shortlist, each one of which was diligently scored against the RHS checklist. When marked, Mavis then reviewed the scores to ensure her marking was consistent. The process provided a result:

1st Mary Herbert

2nd Leslia Farnfield

3rd Gordon Rae

4th Helen Deighan

As Helen Deighan, last year’s winner, had returned the cup, the opportunity was taken for Mavis to “informally” present the cup to Mary Herbert who had called in to look at the entries. A photo of the “arm’s length” presentation was taken!The cup will be engraved and formally presented to Mary at a future GGs’ meeting when, hopefully, we are back to something nearer normal.

Thank you to everyone who entered this one-off “fun” 2020 competition, which has helped to keep the GGs going in this long period of “lockdown”.

However difficult, “where there’s a will …!”

In the event of Grayshott Gardeners being unable to hold the Summer Show on July 11^th 2020, our President, Gordon Rae, has come up with a cunning plan to rescue the Potato Competition (class 49) and grasp the Mike Hallt Cup out of the clutches of the coronavirus (without contravening any Covid19 regulations). Click on the link for alternative entry and judging arrangements: potato competition rules

Grayshott Gardeners members are encouraged to PLEASE ENTER just for the fun of it and to make 2020 a record entry year, just to keep us all sane!

After the event, the President and his lady will eat the entries!! (and Judith will be presented with: 1001 tried and tested recipes with potatoes)

Last year’s result! Photo J. Price

Thank you everyone who sent in photos – over 75, a great variety of flowers and amazing images for website visitors to inspire and enjoy! The gallery will close for entries on Good Friday, 10th April; however, we may consider starting a further gallery for summer plants.

Grayshott Gardeners Corona Antidote Photo Gallery is now up and running with more than 30 stunning photographs sent in by members. Do keep sending in pictures, close-ups or areas of garden, also entries meant for the Spring Show which has sadly been cancelled, and take a look from time to time at the Photo Gallery page for inspiration and enjoyment!

Following the peaceful passing in February of Olive Robinson, past President and Chairman of Grayshott Gardeners, we now have details of the funeral arrangements. The funeral will be held on Thursday, 26th March at 2.15 pm at Guildford Crematorium. All are welcome but it would be helpful to let Anne Waddell know if you wish to attend, tel. 01428 604714, so she can inform John Woodridge of possible numbers.

It is with great sadness we have to let you know that our Past President and Chairman of Grayshott Gardeners, Olive Robinson, passed away peacefully at the weekend.

Olive provided inspirational leadership which helped create the wonderful Club we are today with her vast horticulture knowledge and encouragement. We will remember her with much fondness.

At the moment of writing we are still awaiting information regarding funeral arrangements.

Our Annual General Meeting held on 13th November 2019 was well attended, well-organised and featured some lively discussions. The Minutes with full details are published on the “From the Committee” page. Gill Purkiss stood down as President after her 5-year term office, and was presented with a bouquet of flowers for all her help and support. Terry Boorman resigned as Programme Director as he and Maureen have plans to move away, and both were also thanked for their unstinting work for the club. The meeting concluded with wine and a delicious spread of nibbles, enjoyed by the members.

Plant Sale 2020: Karen Flood has compiled a list of plants which members may be able to donate to the Plant Sale next year. The Plant Sale generates a large part of the club’s income from which members benefit. Karen is also looking for “plant sitters”. Full details on the “From the Committee” page.

These are local and inter-village competitions, held annually. This year Headley hosted both at their Autumn Show.

For the Snow Cup, local horticultural societies were asked to enter an exhibit entitled: The Haymaker’s Story (poem by John Clare), and Terry and Maureen B., Terry F. with help of others put a lot of thought and effort in their composition, awarded with a third prize. The Snow Cup was won by Headley.

The Close Brooks Cup was just as demanding, and required entrants to submit a collection of vegetables, fruit, a pot plant as well as 2 displays of flowers. Anne W. sourced all vegetables, with contributions from John, Leslia, Vanessa, Rosario, Lynn, Margaret, Piers, Ann P. and Joy and John S. Despite all efforts, Tilford managed to trump both Grayshott and Headley with their XXL vegetables, with Headley coming second, and Grayshott third.

Next year will be another chance to aim for the top, please look out for an appeal to members for flowers or vegetables in peak condition!

As Claire Brown, who runs Plantpassion, explained: her business is flower farming, therefore we should not expect pretty garden scenes, her flowers are grown as crops. That morning, well over 2000 had been cut and were conditioning (soaking up fresh water) in buckets inside the barn, awaiting collection by customers in the morning.

Outside we were immediately struck by the magnificent views across the gently sloping fields towards a range of hills and possibly London in the far distance. The hilltop farm is surrounded by woods, and Claire explained how she’d arrived at an accommodation with the wildlife, including deer, squirrels, moles, and even a measure of appreciation: kites, aphids (food for beneficial insects which kill the harmful ones).

We saw the poly tunnel (to extend the growing season) and the field with many different beds of flowers and shrubs, in all stages of growth. She explained her work-saving no-dig, no weeding method, and that the chalk subsoil her plants are grown in promotes healthy and sturdy flowers.

Back in the barn for refreshments and a flower arrangement demonstration, Claire extolled the benefits of locally grown flowers, condemning those for sale in supermarkets. Perhaps a little harsh, as surely there’s room for both kinds?

Claire Brown’s flower farm is in East Clandon, website: Plantpassion.co.uk

John Price has sent in a selection of photographs taken at the Grayshott Gardeners’ 2019 Summer Show. Select the Photo Gallery tab to view a slide show. Best viewed on full screen.