An unusual start to the evening. After announcements regarding forthcoming events, including a request for plants for the U.R.C sale on the 12 July, it transpired that an alternative speaker, Mr Halstead would give the talk, instead of a colleague.  He proved to be an affable ento-mologist, and this cheerful and friendly expert answered questions, as the first half of the evening developed into question time because the evening sun rendered the slides invisible.

Eventually they arose from the mist and the lecture proper ensued. This was chock full of information about pests- their appearance, life cycles, measures to discourage them and eventually, with luck, cause their demise. Such noxious beasts as slugs and snails, winter and codling moths, cabbage and carrot fly and vine weevils which cause serious damage were discussed, along with others such as flea beatle , tortrix moth and leaf miners which largely affect appearance only.

And as if we hadn't enough pests of our own Mr Halstead also encouraged us with the thought of world  wide free trade bringing in new species, creating further difficulties for the normal woman/man in the garden!  Furthermore the use of old fashioned remedies is no longer legal , the unforeseen and unfortunate results of well meant  E.U. legislation,  Apparently even owning ancient tar wash in a bottle is now a heinous crime, but Mr Halstead was able to suggest solutions for the majority of our worries, and the evening ended cheerfully with the raffle.

The Summer Show is on 5^th July 2008 and the next meeting is at Hookley Herbaceous on the 14^th July 2008 at 7.45 p.m.

The Meeting on the 12^th June, had as it's speaker Margaret Cooke, County Chairman of the WRBL.

She gave a very interesting talk about her trips to India, mainly around Nepal, where she visited many places including a tea plantation, zoo, where there was a red panda, an orchid garden and the Taj Mahal at Agra. Members were shown many photographs of places visited and views of the Himalayan Mountains as seen from bungalows where Margaret had stayed with her husband. There were also amusing little stories about the trips and articles were passed around, including a beautifully embroidered blouse, a bell and some tea samples from the plantation. There was also a very heavy bowl with a wooden implement, which when rolled around the bowl produced a very resonant sound which recalled the monks back to the monastery.

The Meeting next month will be the annual Garden Party in the grounds of the Legion on 10^th July.

Do come and join us every Friday 7 pm - 8.30 pm. We promise you will have lots of fun. Venue Elstead Paviliion Thursley Road