Wilder Buckland
2021-10-21 19:30 - 21:00 UTC | Otterford Parish Hall, Bishopswood. TA20 3RS
Jolyon Chesworth from the Wider Buckland Group will be talking to us about the Wilder Buckland community group. This group, for the Parish of Buckland St Mary, aims to carry out local practical actions to support wildlife and the wider environment in the area. You may have seen the recent article in the CBO News talking about their acheivements so far and their plans for the future.
Do come along to learn about this relatively new group and how you might contribute to the effort to support wildlife in your area.
Tea and coffee afterwards
NB. We will be following the COVID guidelines implemented by the Otterford Parish Hall committee to help keep everyone safe.

Christmas Wreath making demonstration with Angie from Cottage Flowers
2021-11-18 19:30 - 21:00 UTC | Buckland St Mary Village Hall. TA20 3SP
Everyone is welcome at our Christmas Wreath making demonstration with Angie from Cottage Flowers in Ilminster. As well as a Christmas Wreath, Angie will show us how to create some beautiful festive table decorations and other items to adorn your house and home over the Christmas period.
There will be an opportunity to purchase wreath making supplies from Angie or order one of her wreath kits https://www.cottageflowersandmore.co.uk/

Ponds and Water Features with Jenny Short
2022-02-17 19:30 - 21:00 UTC | Otterford Parish Hall, Bishopswood. TA20 3RS
From formal, architectural ponds to natural looking wildlife ponds, Jenny is a font of knowledge when it comes to introducing a water feature or pond to your garden.
If you have specific questions, please contact Kaye prior to the talk who will forward them to Jenny who will be able to tailor her talk around members’ queries or particular issues. There will, of course, be time for questions after the talk as well.

Pruning Ornamental Plants
2022-03-17 19:30 - 21:00 UTC | Buckland St Mary Village Hall. TA20 3SP
A practical demonstration of pruning trees and deciduous shrubs including tips on timing

No Dig Gardening with Charles Dowding
2022-04-21 19:30 - 21:00 UTC | Otterford Parish Hall, Bishopswood. TA20 3RS
No dig is a long-established way to grow healthy, organic crops while preserving the soil’s integrity and Charles Dowding is the UK’s leading expert with 40 years of experience.
A presentation to show you what is possible with no dig gardening using many examples from Homeacres and his various trials. He will share lots of time saving tips and dispel some gardening myths along the way.
He will encourage and guide you to having the best homemade compost, look at propagation, harvesting techniques and guarding against pests.
He has been growing vegetables for four decades on different soils and has distilled his experience into key skills which he will gladly share with you. The goal is healthy undisturbed soil, best timings for sowing, and maximising space through summer re-planting, all leading to successive months of healthy harvests.
Join us to learn how to set up your own no-dig system.
This event is free to members of the club but we will have a limited number of tickets for non-members at a cost of £5.00
Please email Kaye (kaye@kayeantonelli.com) or
Pauline (paulinebartlett@btinternet.com) to book your ticket

Plant Sale
2022-05-07 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | Otterford Parish Hall, Bishopswood. TA20 3RS
Our annual plant sale is back after a 2 year gap!
Come along between 10am and 12pm to stock up on flower and vegetable plants, and while you’re here, grab a tea or a coffee and a slice of delicious homemade cake.

All welcome

Woodland Walk
2022-05-19 14:00 - 16:00 UTC | Park Wood, nr Chaffcombe, TA20 4AW
An afternoon walk at Park Wood near Chaffcombe to admire the bluebells and other Spring plants in this beautiful setting
Stout footwear recommended
This is a self-drive event.
Meet at the entrance at 1.50pm for a 2pm start

East Lambrook Manor Gardens visit
2022-06-16 14:00 - 16:00 UTC | East Lambrook Manor Gardens, South Petherton, Somerset, TA13 5HH, United Kingdom
On Thursday 16th June we will be visiting the cottage garden created by the renowned 20th-century plantswoman and gardening writer Margery Fish.
East Lambrook Manor Gardens is the iconic and quintessentially English cottage garden created by the celebrated 20th-century plantswoman and gardening writer Margery Fish. It was here that she developed her own style of gardening, combining old-fashioned and contemporary plants in a relaxed and informal manner to create a garden of immense beauty and charm.
The English Heritage Grade 1 listed garden is characterised by many winding paths through abundant borders and is renowned as the premier example of the English cottage garden style. It has noted collections of snowdrops, hellebores and hardy geraniums and there is an excellent specialist hardy plant nursery in the garden.
We will follow up our visit to the gardens (and plant nursery!) with a visit to the Malthouse Cafe, situated in the attractive 17th century malthouse. Tea, coffee and local apple juice are available throughout the day along with a selection of high quality locally made cakes.

Burrow Farm Gardens visit - this is a change to the published programme
2022-07-21 14:00 - 16:00 UTC | Burrow Farm Gardens, Dalwood, Axminster, East Devon, EX13 7ET, United Kingdom
On Thursday 21st July we will be visiting Burrow Farm Gardens near Axminster
This peaceful oasis has a variety of different planting styles which complement the stunning rural views. Taste the different design styles within the garden and appreciate the naturalistic planting.

With a variety of different styles to appreciate, from the Rose Garden to the Woodland Garden, this promises to be a lovely afternoon.
There is a nursery specialising in hardy plants. Many of the special plants within the gardens are available to purchase. A wide selection of shrubs and herbaceous plants can be found alongside some special bulbs and a range of alpines.
Plus, there is the obligatory tea room and gift shop!
In November 2021 it was named The Nations Favourite Public Garden in a competition run by The English Garden and National Garden Scheme.

Evening visit to Cottage Flowers
2022-08-18 18:30 - 20:00 UTC | Cottage Flowers, Jordans Courtyard, Horton Cross, Ilminster,, Somerset, TA19 9PY, United Kingdom
An evening visit to enjoy a stroll around the Cottage Garden at Jordan’s Courtyard with light refreshments.

From the website “Cottage Garden at Jordan’s Courtyard is an immersive garden experience. Not only do you get helpful ideas and tips to enhance your outdoor space, but you also get to experience the tranquillity of ambient styled garden room, behold the beauty of a wild-flower meadow area and open your mind in the woodland-style nook where you can enjoy the beauty of the plants on show, sit and relax your mind in this little escape from daily life, right here in the heart of Somerset.
Cottage Garden welcomes a wide range of garden enthusiasts from far and wide to take some time to admire and be inspired by the seasonal displays on offer. You can enlighten your senses with the enchanting aromas and enjoy the showcase of beautiful colours and textures around you.
Whether you choose to visit for a few hours, invest in some gorgeous new plants and benefit from the knowledgeable expertise on offer or you make a day of it with lunch at the Jordans Courtyard café and terrace or a workshop you will leave feeling relaxed and revived.
As part of this exciting extension to Cottage Flowers, visitors to Cottage Garden can enjoy an eclectic mix of plants that will be displayed across borders, a wild-flower meadow area and a woodland-style nook, all in one place.”

Buckland St Mary Flower Show
2022-08-21

Roses: What to plant, cultivation and care.
2022-09-15 19:30 - 21:00 UTC | Buckland St Mary Village Hall. TA20 3SP
Everything you need to know about roses! What to plant and how to cultivate and care for them. Our speaker is Malcolm Mills of the Gardens Group Gold Club. Malcolm is and entertaining and knowledgeable speaker with a wealth of gardening experience.

Bulbs for Spring with Micky Little from Avon Bulbs
2022-10-20 19:30 - 21:00 UTC | Otterford Parish Hall, Bishopswood. TA20 3RS
Avon Bulbs is a small reputable family owned company that offers a good range of the more spectacular but garden worthy flower bulbs in the biggest sizes available. They supply bulbs and plants from their nursery in near South Petherton and deliver by mail order to anywhere in Great Britain or the Channel Islands.
They currently produce two catalogues a year – the Autumn Catalogue published in June for Autumn planted bulbs that flower in the following Spring and a Spring Catalogue published at Christmas for bulbs to plant in early Spring that flower mainly in the Summer.

Avon bulbs have an enviable reputation on the show circuit. They won a Gold Medal at the 2017 RHS Chelsea Flower Show and have won Gold Medals at every Chelsea Flower Show over the previous 25 years with a tally of 30 Chelsea Gold Medals in total! They have also won Gold Medals at RHS February Show, Malvern, Birmingham and Hampton Court .

Join us to learn about what to plant and how to care for your Spring flowering bulbs.

Favourite Fuchsias with Derek Dexter
2022-11-17 19:30 - 21:00 UTC | Buckland St Mary Village Hall. TA20 3SP
Derek started growing fuchsias in 1999; in 2004 he joined British Fuchsia Society and started showing in their championship shows. He has exhibited at RHS Hampton Court, winning bronze, silver & then silver-gilt in the window box & hanging basket class, until this class was discontinued.
Derek will be talking to us about over-wintering Fuchsias and caring for these lovely plants

Gertrude Jekyll: Plants & Designs
2023-02-16 19:30 - 21:00 UTC | Buckland St Mary Village Hall. TA20 3SP
Our speaker, David Usher, will be giving an insight into Jekyll’s work and looking at her painterly approach to colour in the garden….
David was Head Gardener for 15 years at Hestercombe Gardens, where he restored the gardens to Gertrude Jekyll’s original design from the many drawings that were available to him. This talk covers Jekyll’s career, from her beginnings in horticulture to the designs which made her one of the most influential women in the history of British gardening.

Starting a garden in the Blackdowns
2024-02-15 19:30 - 21:00 UTC | Buckland St Mary Village Hall. TA20 3SP

Breeeding & Growing Dahlias
2024-03-21 19:30 - 21:00 UTC | Otterford Parish Hall, Bishopswood. TA20 3RS

From Grower to Garden Centre
2024-04-18 19:30 - 21:00 UTC

Plant sale at Otterford Parish Hall
2024-05-04 10:00 - 12:00 UTC

Minterne Magna visit to see Rhododendrons
2024-05-16 14:00 - 16:30 UTC

Visit to Ottilies Flowers with tea and cake
2024-06-20 14:00 - 16:30 UTC

Summer Social & BBQ at BSM Village Hall
2024-07-18 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | Buckland St Mary Village Hall. TA20 3SP
We are looking forward to our summer social gathering at the Buckland St Mary Village hall on 18th July starting at 6pm. There will be a BBQ with burgers and sausages and a vegetarian option, along with a glass of wine, soft drinks and teas and coffees.

The gathering is free to members and £5 for friends and family. The club will be providing the burgers, sausages, vegetarian equivalent with buns but please could you bring along a plate to share, such as salads and other snacks. A selection of fruity puddings will be provided.

Food will be served from 6.30(ish)pm.
If it is wet we will be in the hall!)

Hydrangeas with Sally Gregson
2024-09-19 19:30 - 21:00 UTC | Otterford Parish Hall, Bishopswood. TA20 3RS
Hydrangeas Plant List – Sally Gregson Talk
Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Blaumeise’
H. m. ‘Izu-no-Hana’
H. m. Pfau
H.m. Veitchii
H. m. Beauté Vendomoise
H.m. Ayesha
H.m. Mme Emile Mouillere
H.m. Pia
Hosta ‘Raspberry Sundae and H. June
Geranium ‘Rozanne’
Assorted Helleborus x hybridus
H. paniculata Savill Lace
H.p. Chantilly Lace
H.p. Phantom
H.p. Levana
Bergenia ‘Overture’
B. ‘Angel Kiss’
Astrantia ‘Superstar’
A.Roma’
H. arborescens ‘Annabelle;
H. a. Hayes Starburst
Geranium ‘Patricia’
Anemone Wild Swan
Erythronium Pagoda
Athyrium otophorum ‘Okanum’
A.nipponicum Pictu,
H. petiolaris
Meconopsis grandis
H. seemanii
Schizophragma integrifolium Windmills
Schizophragma hydrangeoides Rose Sensation
H. aspera Villosa
H. aspera Peter Chappell
H. aspera KawakamiiH. aspera Macrophylla
Hydrangea involucrata Hortensis
H. involucrata Sterilis
Epimedium Persian Carpet
E. Jean O’Neill
E. Akebono and E. Black Sea
H. quercifolia ‘Snow Queen’
H. q. Snowflake
Hakonechloa macra Aureolineata & Ophiopogon planiscapus
H. serrata ‘Beni Yama’
H. s. Hime Beni Gaku
H. s. Shojo
H. s. Amagi Amacha
H.s. Miyama yae Murasaki
Epimedium ‘Brimstone Butterfly’
E. Kaguyahime
E. x youngianum ‘Tamabotan’
Paris polyphylla
H.s. Shichidanka
H.s. Mont Aso
H.s. Shirofuji
H.s. Hakucho
H.s. Hatsuhime
H.s. Kiyosumi
H. Mirai and H. Love You Kiss
H.s. Fuji Snowstorm
H.s. Garden House Glory
H. Preziosa
H. s. Shirofuji
H. s. Shinonome
Alas, Mill Cottage Plants is now closed!
But Ashwood Nurseries does stock many of the varieties and it has an excellent
mail order service. Consult their list on-line or contact them
www.ashwoodnurseries.com/shop/plants/hydrangeas.html

Managing a Woodland with John and Valerie Godsmark
2024-10-17 19:30 - 21:00 UTC | Buckland St Mary Village Hall. TA20 3SP
This month John and Valerie Godsmark will provide a talk about Managing a Woodland. They have been looking after their own now for a number of years and will be sharing their insights into the challenges and delights of looking after a precious resource.

Hestercombe Christmas Lights
2024-11-21 19:30 - 21:00 (Europe/London) | Hestercombe Gardens, Taunton
We will be making a visit to Hestercombe to see the Christmas Lights. We are delighted to tell you that we will be subsidsing tickets for members of the club and that entry for members is therefore only £5. Non-members are also welcome at a cost of £15 per ticket.
Penny is compiling a list of names for tickets so please let her know as soon as possible if you would like to join us on the visit.
All tickets are valid for a specific fifteen-minute slot on a specific day and are non-refundable. We are booked for 19.30 on November 21st. This is a self-drive event so we encourage you to car share where possible.
Here is an extract from their website describing the experience:
ILLUMINATE will transport you on a magical journey of colour, light and sound to bring festive awe and wonder to our gardens. We’re truly excited to create a new dazzling display to make your 2024 journey even more special.
The natural features and views of the Landscape Garden come to life at night, with spotlights, lit trees and coloured paths drawing you up towards the Great Cascade, down past beautiful dynamic fountains in the Pear Pond, below the Formal Garden, before finishing with a show-stopping display in front of Hestercombe House.
This stunning experience is approximately the same walking distance as the sold-out 2023 event, but even more packed with show-stopping sights and sounds to wow the entire family. Prepare to be awe-inspired at our beautiful gardens as they come to life this Christmas.
We will be selling a range of hot and cold food in Bampfylde Hall, including hot dogs, vegan hot dogs, festive turkey baps, cakes, and of course hot chocolate and mulled wine!

Christmas Social @ Buckland Village Hall PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF VENUE
2024-12-12 19:00 - 21:00 UTC | Buckland St Mary Village Hall. TA20 3SP
DUE TO A MIX UP WITH HALL BOOKINGS PLEASE NOTE WE ARE NOW MEETING AT BUCKLAND ST MARY VILLAGE HALL
Our last event of the year and not to be missed!
Please bring a plate of festive nibbles to share and enjoy with George’s legendary mulled wine (or tea/coffee) and don’t forget your Christmas jumper! (not mandatory).
There will be festive tunes, a fun quiz and our ever popular raffle……..we will also have a quick AGM to start……promise it will be very brief!

From Field to Roof: Mastering the Art of Growing Straw for Thatching
2025-02-20 19:00 - 21:00 (Europe/London) | Buckland St Mary Village Hall. TA20 3SP
with George and Edwina Wakely

How to Commit the Perfect Murder (and use the body in the garden) with Guy Deakins
2025-03-20 19:15 - 21:00 (Europe/London) | Otterford Parish Hall, Bishopswood. TA20 3RS
This will be a live zoom talk, hosted by Tendershoots.
Come along and pick up some useful tips, you never know when they might come in handy!

Planet Friendly Products in the Garden
2025-04-17 19:15 - 21:00 (Europe/London) | Buckland St Mary Village Hall. TA20 3SP
with our favourite speaker, Adam, from Gold Club.
Adam will be telling us all about his top products to use the garden which are both effective and planet friendly

Plant Sale at Otterford Parish Hall
2025-05-03 10:00 - 12:00 (Europe/London) | Otterford Parish Hall, Bishopswood. TA20 3RS
Our ever popular plant sale!
Please come along and show your support.
All the plants are raised/potted up by gardening club members and sold to support our chosen charity, and raise funds for the club to allow us to subsidise visits/social events during the year.
