Site updated July 25th 2020
Chairman : Chris Harwood. Secretary : Pam Weston. Treasurer: Phillip Higginson.
A Potted History: At a meeting in the School Room, The Talaton Produce Association was formed in November 1949 for Talaton residents and holders of allotments. The annual membership was 2 shillings. Mrs Glover was elected secretary and Mr Eric Bambury Chairman and Treasurer. The Association's Golden Anniversary was celebrated in 1999 with a party and commemorated by the planting of a Golden Hornet Crab Apple Tree in the Church grounds by Mr Bert Maher, a founder member.
Membership
Membership Enquiries: Telephone Pam Weston 01404 822864
The Association is Affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society and enjoys a number of benefits from that Affiliation including group free entry to any of the RHS gardens.
Annual Family Membership is £2 and entitles members to enter the Annual Produce Show, held the first Saturday in August, and to order seeds etc. from Dobies Catalogue in any quantity at a discount if ordered before Christmas.
Other attractions include a Garden Visit in the Summer, the committee runs stalls at the Village Day and Christmas How d'ye Do, a pumpkin competition and helps with refreshments at the village pantomime when there is one.
The Annual General Meeting is in November
Committee re-elected at the A.G.M. 2019
Chairman Mr Chris Harwood, Tel: 07709080439
Secretary Mrs Pam Weston Tel: 01404 822864
Treasurer Mr Phillip Higginson,
Committee Members Mrs Nickie Bitschi, , Mrs Kathy Gray, Mrs Peppi Shaw, Mr Terry Wright. Mrs Sarah Woods, Mr Steve Spratt
I
Annual Show
First time ever - Cancelled.
It's with immense sorrow that the Committee has agreed to cancel the show. It would, as usual have been on the first Saturday in August but with all the uncertainty and the need for concern for the safety of all - not least the ageing committee and judges ! - cancellation seemed appropriate. So, sorry to all you gardeners who have been using the good weather to good advantage, sun flower growing children, competitive male cake bakers and all the wonderful people who come along. Next year will be an excellent year and hopefully we can bring out the turnips, the leeks, the flowers , oh, yes and the cakes and all have a really good show.
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Annual Show
The committee had hoped that some miracle would happen which would allow us to run our annual show this August. It has not, so regretfully we have canceled the show for this year. It would have been our 70th annual show. We now have an extra year to make our 70th a very special event in 2021. Commiserations to all those members who have tended their veg patches, nurtured their flower beds and slaved over jam pans especially. Before you eat what is edible, it would be great if you could send photos of your ‘prize winning’ produce to Chris Harwood, so he can post them on our web page.
Potato in a Bucket
Pleeeease would all young growers send evidence of their crop and if it is possible, tell us how many pounds or kilos you harvested.
WHAT NO SHOW ! SO, LET'S HAVE A VIRTUAL SHOW.
SEND IN PHOTOS OF THE PRODUCE YOU just know WOULD HAVE WON PRIZES
Ahead at the moment - Sarah Wood. . Not sure about that Sainsbury's label under the courgette !
AUGUST IN THE GARDEN
August is traditionally time to enjoy the fruits of your labour and it
is no coincidence that in ‘Normal Times’, our annual show is held this
month. Please send photos of your
amazing, “Would have been prize winning.” produce to Chris Harwood, so that we can
all admire it.
Looking back over the past few years, it seems that we gardeners regularly have what we once called ‘ extraordinary weather’, in the growing season. Indeed this year has been no exception, so from now on it is just weather and I hope the strong gusty winds, which are whistling down my chimney as I write, are not playing havoc with your climbing beans and roses or your hollyhocks and delphiniums.
Many crops have matured early, but the growing season is not over yet. There is still time to plant many seeds for cropping later this summer, mangetout, carrots, salad leaves and radishes to name but a few.
Do feed tomatoes, courgettes, pumpkins and squashes.
Tie up tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers to help support the developing fruits .
Don’t forget to keep dead heading your flowering plants to encourage more flower buds to form, and…….
Don’t forget pests will happily share or even decimate your crops, but if you….
Keep encouraging birds into your garden, especially with a constant supply of water, they will help control many insects, slugs and snails.
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Happy gardening and keep safe.
Jim Buttress’s
Tips for August
1. Complete summer pruning of currant bushes. Cut summer fruited raspberry canes down to soil level. Tie in healthy canes for next summer.
2. Lightly trim lavender after flower flowering. Remove spent flower heads, leaving 1inch of the current seasons growth.
3. Camellias and Rhododendrons start producing flower buds now, so during dry spells need regular and thorough watering.
4. Consider sowing green manure in empty beds. Through winter they will protect soil from rain erosion and reduce nutrient loss. Crimson clover or vetch will overwinter and in spring can be dug in.
5. Tomatoes should be stopped at 4 trusses if outdoors and 6 trusses if under glass.
6. Sow onions for overwintering, plus spring onions, winter spinach and winter salad.
7. Take cuttings of penstemons now.
8. Mow established summer flowering wildflower meadows at the end of the month once the plants have set seed.
9. If more than a quarter of your main crop potato foliage appears blighted, or stem lesions are visible, cut growth off at ground level and destroy diseased material. Leave tubers in the ground for two weeks and then lift and store them.
10. Carry out a final trim of the year on evergreen hedges this month.
Rosie James
What ever happens this summer, our Annual Show will never be the same again because in late April, dear kind, thoughtful and self effacing Rosie James, died as she lived, wanting “no fuss”. She was a mainstay of our association for many years. Helping to organise, supply and man our plant stall at Village Day; helping to set up the Hall on the Friday evening before the Annual Show then rushing home to bake cakes for the afternoon refreshments, as well as preparing her own entries. Rosie was such a talented all rounder at the Show that she often embarrassed herself by winning all the trophies open to her. She deserved every trophy she won. The Garden and Produce Association has lost a star member and friend. Our thoughts are with Geoff and their children at this very sad time. Happy memories of a lovely lady. The Garden and Produce Association has lost a star member and friend. Happy memories of of a lovely lady.
Rosie (Centre) helping, as usual, with a Village Event, and accompanied by her daughter Charlotte and Mrs Greta Scott
NO OPEN GARDENS !!
Brilliant weather for gardens so they must have been looking splendid ???
Everything else is virtual, so we had a Virtual Open Gardens
Look at the Wonderful Pictures of Gardens that MIGHT have been Open on the Village Pictures Page.
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Who Needs a Virus when you have a Slug Like This ??
Thanks, Nickie, for the following really interesting piece and great photograph
The other day I was potting on some plants and found a curious pale ball about the size of a chickpea. It then stretched out and became an interesting Slug! Interesting because it’s a Carnivore and won’t eat your plants!
It has a vestigial shell which you can see in the enclosed photo just above it’s
tail. I have only ever seen one once before, years ago when I was living in Surrey.
I understand that they live in the soil, mine was about half way down a rather dry pot and was waiting for some damp to come out at night. It wasn’t as big as it appears in the photo on an Ivy leaf. So if you find one , put it in a safe place !
A Poem Submitted by Nickie Bitschi - Probably we can all relate to this!
My Gardening Days
I try to plan my gardening day,
But good intentions fade away,
As with my hoe I smite the weeds,
I chance upon some precious seeds.
I take my trowel to plant them out,
But “Oh, my can has blocked up spout”,
So to the shed to find a cane,
To push the snail right out again.
And on it goes the same old way,
Each time I plane my gardening day,
Potting ends up just the same,
I do a few, “Oh what a game”,
I’m out of space to stand them in,
Another job I must begin!
And I will end what I began,
One day my chores will run to plan
So on it goes frustratingly,
Five jobs to do, for one to see!
Rosemoor Trip Cancelled
We hope to be able to book a trip to Rosemoor in the autumn. The roses will be past their best, but the vegetable garden, herbaceous borders and trees will look amazing. Failing that, there is always June next year!
Annual Show
We are still hoping to run the show on the first Saturday in August, so please sow those extra veg seeds. If we are still “in lock down” , they won’t be wasted, you can enjoy eating them!
Potato in a bucket Challenge for young gardeners
Last year’s competition was so successful, we thought you would like to have another go!
If you are under 16 and up for a challenge, find yourself an old bucket, collect a potato from the Village Shop - you don’t have to buy one, just ask for a competition potato and pick up an information sheet.
Harvests will be judged at the Annual Show.
Happy Gardening
The Talaton Open Garden Weekend has been Cancelled
Sadly this was inevitable. I hope those who work so hard to open their gardens for us will enjoy the lack of pressure and have a wonderfully relaxed late bank holiday weekend.
Annual Trip RHS Rosemoor June 20th
REGRET THIS IS NOW CANCELLED DUE TO OUR FRIENDTHE CORONAVIRUS
Those of you who are paid up members and have your calendar of events will already know that this year’s trip is to RHS Rosemoor. Now that we are affiliated to the RHS we are able to free entry for up to 55 members. Weather permitting, the 20th June should show us the rose displays at their early best and the veg patch will make us turn green!
More details in May’s Calendar. Sign up list will be in the Community shop from May 1st.
Potato in a bucket Challenge for young gardeners
Last year’s competition was so successful, we thought you would like to have another go!
If you are under 16 and up for a challenge, find yourself an old bucket, collect a potato from the Village Shop - you don’t have to buy one, just ask for a competition potato and pick up an information sheet. Harvests will be judged at
the Annual Show.
SHOW MAY BE CANCELLED BUT DO YOUR SPUDS ANYWAY – THEN EAT THEM !
AGM 2019
It was a good AGM , a good attendance and good refreshments but an especially good talk from Dr Mick Street,, an entomologist,National Bee Inspector and ex-Bicton College lecturer. He spoke on the Disappearance of Pollinating Insects and it didn't make comfortable listening . Farming practice, insecticides, fungicides , pesticides.... BUT also too many people in the world.
The new membership year begins and as a first we have produced a membership card that outlines the programme for the year ahead. Membership remains at £2 per family . So, if you have not signed on the dotted line and handed over your £2 race to the nearest committee member now, get your free Dobies Seed Catalogue and be eligible for the numerous benefits of membership !
There were 19 entries in our Pumpkin Competition last month. Despite there being fewer entries than last year, there was a brilliant display in the skittle alley. If you missed this lovely evening do look at the photos on our website. I have said it before, but the carving does get more intricate and inventive each year and the entries become harder to judge. Well done to everyone who entered and thank you for making this such a lovely evening. Many thanks also to Maria for welcoming us again, for setting up and decorating the skittle alley so beautifully and for her Mum’s delicious cakes. And ……a very big thank you to this year’s judge, Jan Ainsley, who had such a difficult task.
The winners were:
0-6yrs
1st Maisie Harris
2nd Katie Copp
3rd Eira Halwyn
7-11yrs
1st John Buxton
2nd Elizabeth Dinnis
3rd Elizabeth Dinnis, that is right she carved two beautiful pumpkins!
12-16yrs
1st Benjamin Gray
2nd Jonathan Gray
Adults 1st Sarah Wood, 2nd Laurence Wood, 3rd Nish Halwyn
Do visit our website to see pictures of this years competition.
Annual Pumpkin Competition
A great show with some excellent entries - the children beat the adults in their enthusiasm to enter.
Next year oldies ???
Broomsticks left at the door !
Trip to RHS Rosemoor
Saturday 12th October
Well, not a huge turn out but the two who went had a great day, not a drop of rain and even some sunshine. Ideal for photographs and here are a few. It was a particularly good day to go as there were numerous craft displays, working horses demonstrating their skills in forestry work,even an opportunity to learn how to light fires, build dens and climb trees - well, maybe not for the two who went but it was tempting. All in all and , using the benefit of being in the Garden and Produce Association, it didn't cost a penny! Thanks to Pam Weston for organising it.
Craft building from Nature's Own store
Elephants at Rosemore
Three Heads better than One
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Annual Show 2019
Kitchen staff - backbone of any show !
Prizewinners
High Sheriff of Devon - Champion Cup- Pam Weston. Overall winner, most points.
J W Wise Cup for Gentlemen only - Terry Wright.Highest points in all classes.
Mrs E R Glover Cup for Ladies only- Pam Weston . Highest points in all Classes.
The Young Trophy - Sarah wood and Robin Carter. Runner up lady or gentleman.
WI Cup- Pam Weston, Highest Points section 5
Palfrey Memorial Cup - Pam Weston. Best flower arrangement.
Sir Jack Boles Memorial trophy - Jonathon Boles, Gentleman's Baking.
Keith West Memorial Cup - John Harris. Highest points in Childrens' section
Runner up in 0 - 7 age group Abigail Wheeler
Runner up in 8 - 16 age group Benjamin Gray
Winner of Public Vote re the Flower arrangement in a wine glass - Pam Weston.
Congratulations to All !
Special thanks to Lesley Powell for being Show Secretary for some years and doing such a fine job. Alas, she is now standing down and will be missed but the Show will go on !
Stalwarts of the Association - Nikki and Pam
Annual Summer Outing Saturday June 22nd
Saltram House
What a day - blue skies and sunshine. Wonderful outing and certainly a wonderful National Trust House and Grounds. Many thanks due to Pam Weston for organising it. And many thanks to the very convivial group of nineteen who supported the event.
and last but not least........ not entirely sure how he got on our coach !
Annual Produce Show 2018
A big thank you to everyone involved .
Nikki's Figs !
Annual Produce Show
2017
Talaton Produce Association Show 2017
Thank you to all who came along to the Parish Hall on Saturday 5 August to see the fruits of our members labour. There were also lots of vegetables and flowers to admire along with jams, interesting tipples and of course the baking. Thank you to all those who exhibited – congratulations to those that triumphed on the day and try again next year to those that did not fare quite as well.
We were particularly pleased that we had 9 children enter exhibits this year. Over all the classes and both sections (0 – 7 years and 8 – 16 years) we had 32 exhibits! Well done, the best we have had for a long time. The Judge was very impressed by the hard work that had gone into producing the fairy cakes, insects out of a wooden spoon, photograph frames, posies and vegetables. The potato heads were a great talking point. Our youngest entrant was 2 years and 11 months and we hope that he and the rest of our young gardeners continue to produce such entertaining exhibits over the next few years.
It has been a difficult year in the garden and we know that the weather we have had over the last few months did affect some of the classes with numbers down in the clematis, rose and tomato classes, to name a few. However this village knows it onions and there were plenty of other classes that were well subscribed.
The big surprise this year was that we had three men who all achieved the same high score. Our Chairman can not remember this happening before (and we did double check the scores). This means that Graham, Laurence and Terry will have to share the J W Wise Cup and have it grace their respective mantelpieces for 4 months each!
Thanks must be given to all those who work hard to put on the show and help on the day. There are too many to name but mention does need to be made of the members of The Village Shop for accepting the entry forms and handing out the bench cards, our Judges who turn out every year and of course to Rosie and her team who produce mouthwatering delicious cakes and refreshments for all who visit the show.
The winners this year were:
High Sheriff of Devon Champion Cup – Rosie James
J.W.Wise Cup – Gentlemen – Graham Spry/Laurence Wood/Terry Wright
Mrs E.R.Glover Cup – Ladies – Rosie James
Cyril Young Trophy for the Runner Up – Pam Weston
W.I Cup for highest points in section 5 – Rosie James
Palfrey Memorial Cup for best flower arrangement – Nickie Bitschi
Sir Jack Boles Memorial Trophy for the gentleman’s baking – Laurence Wood
Children’s Section:
Keith West Memorial Cup for highest points – Benjamin Gray
Acorn Cup – runner up ‘up to 7 years’ – Wilbur Shaw
Oak Cup – runner up ‘8- 16 years’ – Jonathan Gray
The public vote for the best arrangement of flowers in a wine glass was won by Ann Ellis, with Lucy Channon 2nd and runner up Nickie Bitschi.
We hope that all who entered or visited the Show enjoyed it and those that couldn’t make it will enter next year. Any adult resident in the village can join the Association and be eligible to enter all the classes in the show. Membership is per family and only £2 a year. Come and talk to us at our AGM on 15 November to find out more.
Finally, the Produce Stall made £144 at the Show !
Lesley Powell
Show Secretary
Photos of the Produce Show 2017 followed by photos of the Pumpkin Competition 2017
The Nerve Centre !
Pumpkin Competition 2017
There were 29 entries in our Pumpkin Competition last month. They made a brilliant display, the best ever. If you missed this lovely evening do look at the photos on our website. The carving gets more intricate and inventive every year and the entries harder to judge. Well done to everyone who entered and thank you for making this such a pleasant evening. Many thanks also to Maria for welcoming us again, for setting up the skittle alley so beautifully and for all the delicious cakes; and thank you to Lucy and Harry Channon for the judging.
1st Elizabeth Dinnis
2nd John Buxton
3rd Toby Kingdon
7 to 11yrs
1st Matilda Niven
2nd Samia
3rd ( gent with no name!)
12 to 16yrs
1st Amy, Rosabell & Xian
2nd Ollie Hunter
3rd Donald Trumpkin (We know who)
Adults
1st Becky Springall, 2nd Emma & Jordan Niven 3rd Lizzie Buxton
Nicole Dinnis’s wonderful owl pumpkin - highly commended, but like all owls was best in the dark.
Back to the garden, now winter has arrived there is still work to done, harvesting and tidying, dividing perennials to give them more space, pruning apple and pear trees …… and when its too wet, too cold or frozen why not sit down in a comfy chair in front of the fire and beginning planning for next year. Hopefully you came along to our AGM to pay your family subscription - still only £2 and collected your Dobies seed catalogue. If not you still have time to pay and collect a catalogue from Pam (822864) in time to get your 50% off seeds on orders before Christmas.
Don’t forget to feed the birds and leave water accessible for them. Hedgehogs are still active (2nd wk of Nov at time of writing) so would definitely appreciate the odd pile of leaves left in a sheltered part of your garden.
Happy gardening ……… and Happy New Year.
Entries for the Pumpkin Competition 2017
Annual Outing 2016 - Cotehele