Angie Griffin (Committee Member) reports on the importance of volunteers at Wharfedale Gardeners' Group and the upcoming season starting in September.

WE are always grateful to the volunteer committee and other helpers for keeping Wharfedale Gardeners’ Group up and running throughout our year.

Let’s face it, so many of the marvellous groups and societies in our region just would not survive without all the local support we get from our enthusiastic group organisers and volunteers as well as churches, businesses, and suppliers who give, not just their time, but so generously with gifts. We have had donations from shops Like Nana Did, The Bookshop on the Square, Guy with his plant stall on the market in Otley and Katie and Tom at Courtyard Planters

Even though we are deep into the summer holidays and our gardens are reaching their peak (at last!) plans are already afoot for the ‘new term’ starting in September. We are preparing for the fresh start of our season ahead of time to make sure our members have something to look forward to after the garden gets put to bed for the winter

Kathryn Thompson (Syllabus Secretary), has been filling the future calendar with some wonderful talks from Nick Bailey (BBC Gardeners’ World), Katie Rushworth (ITV Love Your Garden), Doug Stewart (RHS Bridgewater) and John Grimshaw (Yorkshire Arboretum) plus many more

Our afternoon Christmas Party is an opportunity to make friends, talk with other members and experience the creation of a few festive crafts, like wreath making or seasonal displays

Month by month, Alan Wilson always brings a beautiful display of plants and flowers for members to see what is appearing in his garden and his wealth of knowledge on all things green and growing is astounding. He is our very own ‘Gardeners’ Question Time’ expert!

Of course, every group and club will also have the stalwart back-up team who provide refreshments, run the raffle and fill in all the gaps that are left

Come and join us, whether you are an expert horticulturalist, amateur gardener or just enjoy visiting gardens you will be made most welcome

Our meetings are held in Beech Hill Church’s modern meeting rooms in Otley on the second Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm (come early for refreshments!) through to May 2025. If you would like to join the group or come to any of the talks as a guest, please let us know before you arrive (as numbers are limited by fire regulations)

Contact Christine Good: wharfedalegardeners@gmail.com or visit www.wharfedalegardeners.co.uk