A vivacious and ebullient Show Judge, Mrs D Smallwood, delivered a comprehensive lecture on patios from behind a fascinating array of plants in pots. She advised any one starting from scratch first to consider the paving and patterning of surface and vitally the walls, their materials and colour so as to display climbers and roses to maximum effect.

The position of the sun throughout the day is of major importance and the direction and force of the wind.  These facts have a vital bearing on the positioning of water features, pergolas, lights, barbecues and garden furniture, not to mention the vital aspect of the plants themselves, whose well being is paramount and scent vital.

Facts can be dry but Mrs Smallwood had the enthusiasts ability to display her wide experience engagingly .  Her knowledge and love of plants were evinced in her choices of companion shrubs, perennials and even annuals of unusual varieties. She even posited the use of herbs and vegetables in attractive combinations. A lively quiz closed a happy evening

Next meeting on 12^th May 2008 when Mr Barrett Lennard will give a talk on Isles of Scilly and West Cornwall.  There will be a Plant Sale on 17^th May in the URC Hall from 9.30 a.m. - 12 noon.

For their Spring Production, PETS chose a convoluted mystery thriller The House on the Cliff by George Batson. This is a play full of twists and turns, nearly all the characters appearing to have dual personalities keeping the audience constantly guessing as to who are the 'baddies' and who are the 'goodies'.

As the title suggests, the play is set in a remote house on a cliff top, an ideal location for a foul murder! As Act I opens, we learn that Karen Clayton has been widowed as a result of a car crash, the driver of the car being her stepdaughter, Ellen, who has been paralysed in the accident and is now confined to a wheelchair. Ellen is treated by the family doctor (Doctor Lane) who arranges for a nurse (Nurse Pepper) to care for Ellen. Nurse Pepper tackles her task enthusiastically, notwithstanding difficulties caused by the sinister housekeeper, Jenny. Enter a second doctor, the suave Corey Phillips, with whom Ellen falls hopelessly in love, but is that love requited?

The set, as is usual with PETS, was excellent with many imaginative touches. Sound and lighting were also up to the usual high standard, whilst the special effects were cleverly handled. In particular, the cacophonous bang of an offstage exploding car had the audience jumping out of their seats in unison.

As Nurse Pepper, Peggy Tilly gave a bubbly performance, effectively bringing out the kindly but slightly naive nature of the character. Sue Gowar was assured as Karen and kept the audience uncertain as to whether she was angel or villainess. Mary Parsons is a new face at PETS, and a very welcome one. As Ellen, she convincingly displayed her versatility portraying bitterness, femininity and drama. The charming Corey Phillips was played by Richard Peachy whose bedside manner left nothing to be desired. Anne and Peter Tull as, respectively, Jenny and Doctor Lane, completed an excellent cast, the one chilling, the other urbane.

Denise Cleaver directed this excellent production with a sure touch and she must be well pleased with the fruits of her labours. She will have been grateful to not only the cast but also to the backstage team, too numerous to mention, for their efforts.

An enormous amount of work goes into putting on a production such as this. PETS are to be congratulated and they deserve every support.