Wadestown Wilton Horticultural Society
President’s Annual Report 2014 – 2015
2014 – 2015 was another good year for our society, which is now nearing its centenary. Our meetings during the year were addressed by guest speakers on a wide variety of interesting topics – “Pruning Trees”, “Sustainable Gardening”, “Gardens in Europe”, “Gardening in a Small Urban Garden”, “Edible Plants” and “Growing Roses”. Many thanks to all our guest speakers. Our final meeting for the 2014 year was the Christmas Supper with a quiz set by Bethney McLennan. Thanks to Bethney who, as in the past, had researched some very interesting and unusual topics to stretch our general gardening knowledge!
Our annual excursion in November was a bus trip to Wairarapa to visit three gardens, all very different from one another and ranging from very long established to recently establishhed. The day ended with a visit to an olive orchard where we had the opportunity to taste and purchase the different oils produced. Thanks to Colleen for her organisation and the lovely lunch.
Our three annual shows – Camellia and Spring Flower Show, Rose Show and Summer Show – were well supported with good quality entries. The local schools continue to support us with many entries in the sand saucer and art sections. The senior art section was broken this year into two subsections, Years 1 – 4 and Years 5 – 8, to make for fairer judging, with the two winners sharing the Gordon Dalley Tray. Our thanks to the judge,
who do what can be a very difficult job.
Before the next Summer Show, we will be looking at the categories and possibly making a few changes to make for fairer and easier judging. We will also be advertising all shows more widely to attract more interest.
After continued problems with hosting our website, we now have a new host, address and site. The new address is www.wwhortsoc.nz. Many thanks to Peter Milne for all the time he has put into this, not only setting up the site with a new host but also maintaining it, both now and in the past.
Our stall at the Wadestown Village Fair was a big success this year, making considerably more that it has during the past few years. It was also great to have so much more support from members providing sale items and personnel to set up, man or pack up the stall.
I would like to thank all committee members for their hard work during the year, providing background support for the society. A special thank you must go to our treasurer, Colleen Pilgrim, for taking care of the financial side and our secretary, Gail Andrews, for all that she has done quietly in background to keep our society running smoothly. Unfortunately, after several years as secretary, Gail is resigning from the position and she will be very sorely missed.
Thank you all for your support of the society
Graeme Schofield
4 May 2014
2015 AGM Minutes here
2014 President’s Report here