EAST LANCASHIRE GARDENING GROUP
MOUNTAINS, beaches, historical attractions and bounteous flowers ... already interested? What if we add sunny days and balmy nights, superb cuisine and endless open roads ... do we now have you completely hooked?
This was the strategy that guest lecturer Razvan Chisu used to reel in his audience at the March meeting of the East Lancashire alpine gardeners group, when he entertained and educated in equal measure with his wonderful illustrated presentation entitled ‘Spring flowers of the Peloponnese.’
Romanian-born Razvan, the social media manager of the prestigious Alpine Garden Society, was presenting his third lecture to the group, this time reflecting on his role as a wildlife tour leader in one of his favourite parts of Greece.
We were transported to the Mani peninsula, to the floral hotspots of the mountains and coast and to vistas of orchid and anemone strewn meadows, hillsides and cliffs.
Raz describes himself as a plantaholic and this passion reveals itself in the knowledge and delight he displays as he introduces every plant, each genus and all the families that can be spotted in these glorious and remote habitats.
Raz is undoubtedly a very accomplished photographer and a well travelled raconteur, but it was the sheer range and beauty of the plants that he illustrated and described that stole the show. We suspect that it won’t be long before Razvan is invited back to Ashday Lea to present another of his burgeoning list of botanical and horticultural talks.
The Group’s next meeting will be held on Monday April 22 at 7.30pm (doors open at 7pm), when we will stage our Group mini-show featuring 16 classes of alpine gems, bulbous delights and member’s finest plants. The audience will be the judges for the event, voting in secret for their favourite exhibit in each class ... but audience members will also be encouraged to bring their own delightful plants to add colour, beauty and interest to the display.
Details of the schedule are available by return e-mail from bookcliffo@aol.com and we welcome
your participation and interest. The meeting will be held at Rossendale Masonic Hall, Ashday Lea, Haslingden Road, Rawtenstall. BB4 6QZ (please arrive just after 7pm if you intend to exhibit in the show).
The East Lancashire Group will also stage our normal National Alpine Flower Show at The Ashcroft, Market Street, Whitworth OL12 8DP on Saturday, May 4, from 11am to 3.30pm with over 140 classes, leading nurseries selling rare and beautiful plants, free parking, a raffle, excellent refreshments and licensed bar.
Everyone welcome at this always spectacular event. Further details from Show Secretary John Dower on 0777 5756599.
ROSSENDALE RAMBLERS
OUR three walks this week have been in very different locations and of very different lengths.
On Wednesday, 20 ramblers had a rather wet nine-mile walk from Scammonden, taking in the reservoir, the bridge, and the M62, plus part of the Colne Valley Circular path.
Then on Saturday, 22 walkers and three dogs enjoyed a bright and breezy two-hour pub walk from Shuttleworth, which showed off the local scenery around the disused railway line at Stubbins. We also caught sight of the interesting tentering tower in a field close by.
More than half of the walkers enjoyed a meal and an extended social in the pub after the walk.
Finally, our walk on the Sunday was a six-miler around the East Colne Way, mostly in sunshine, giving us lovely views as long as were not looking at our muddy feet!
Coming up, on Sunday, April 14 we offer a six-mile walk from Hoghton, near Chorley, that will visit Cripple Gate, Blakey Hey, Cardwells, Coup Green and Chapel Bridge.
Starting at 10am, the walk will finish by 1.30pm or so, leaving the rest of the day free for family or shopping, so we hope to see you there.
Then on Wednesday, April 17 we have what should be an extremely scenic 10-mile walk from Ladybower Reservoir, Derbyshire, including Bamford Edge and Stanage Edge.
Our walks are free, but after three walks with us we ask you to join The Ramblers, at a cost of only £3.42 per month.
CENTRAL METHODIST LADIES
THE title of the talk on Tuesday was “How Green Is Your Life” and was given by one of their own ladies, Janet Helm, who stepped in at the last minute to tell how we can make the environment greener by changing some of the things done daily to bring about a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
We get warnings about climate changes, global warming and the depletion of natural resources so how can we help? Maybe a different shopping bag instead of a plastic carrier, get energy efficient light bulbs, recycling bottles, cans and newspapers, cardboard or cartons, there are many ways to help.
Janet gave each lady a quiz sheet to see how green a lifestyle they had, 20 questions with three possible answers – “never, sometimes and always,” and they had to tick each question with the appropriate answer.
Example questions were about keeping the heat in the room by closing the doors if going to the bin quickly, washing a full load rather than a few items of clothing, walking instead of driving wherever possible. Watering plants with rain water collected in butts, drying clothes outside instead of using a dryer or radiators, and many more ways to help the climate.
There were points and scores for the quiz, 2 points for always, 1 point for sometimes, and 0 point for never. Less than 12 points – must do better! 12-20 points – doing basic things already but must do more. 20-34 points – a good environment awareness but could make a few changes. 35-40 – a green champion!
A very interesting afternoon enjoyed by everyone. Janet’s talk made everyone look into how green their life was, and the improvements offered.
The next meeting is on Tuesday April 16 when their own minister Rev. David Burrow will be the guest speaker. All ladies welcome.