Annual Plant Sale

Saturday turned out to be the best day of the year so far as regards to the weather. It was scorching!

The 'Friends' as usual, turned out in force to set up for the big day, with the erection of our big gazebo and a smaller one on loan from Cyril and Shirley.
A lot of hard work had already been done in the background, by the 'Friends' and their friends. in growing hundreds of plants for our sale. The customary sale or return racks of plants from Highdown Nurseries were again in tip top condition and the 'return' part of the deal resulted in just a few trays being put back into stock.
The takings were up by  over £170 on last year, so the day was a great success considering the current financial climate.
After clearing everything away, (mostly to Mike and Jane's garage) we got cleaned up and then met up for a well earned drink or two in the Broadwaters Inn.

In addition to the plant sale, a prize draw was held. A local artist Ken Jenkins, donated an excellent water colour painting of Broadwaters park, so tickets were printed and £61 was raised on the day. The sale of tickets will continue until the 'Summer Fayre' in the park in July, and the draw for the painting will be made on August 4th at our general monthly meeting.
                                                                 
                                                                    Ken's Watercolour

The work begins!

Over the past months we have been busy with ironing out the details of the work to be done in the park. Quotes for the reconstruction of the paths have been received and the contract for the work has been allocated. This work is due to start in June and should be complete in around three weeks.
Due to a surprise reduction in the expected price for the paths, the residue of the pre-allocated funds have allowed to be diverted to pay for new paths to the two picnic tables. This will allow comfortable access for wheel chair bound park goers, instead of trundling across the bumpy grass. This means that we don't have to rely on an application for further funding from other sources.

The five Native Black Poplar trees, which are part of the Lottery funded project, were planted around the margins of the wetland area and have already come into leaf. These will make a splendid addition to the varied fauna in this area of the park.

The bids for the art work have been whittled down from twenty three to a more manageable four. A variety of styles have been included, and a public survey to choose the artist is in progress, and will continue at our annual plant sale on 22nd May.