THS – 2021-2022 Chairman’s Report
TATSFIELD HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 15TH NOVEMBER 2022
CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL REPORT
I am still researching the history of our Society, it is clear that under various titles there has been a horticultural society in Tatsfield for over a hundred years.
Like so many of our local organisations the Society continued to deal with the usual challenges of maintaining a healthy membership, having sufficient funds, presenting an interesting programme of activities for members, and then we all had to deal with the pandemic.
We were determined to continue as best we could within pandemic rules and guidelines.
Numbers at our events were down but it was well worth it to see and hear folk enjoying themselves and we are very hopeful for the future of our Society. The lack of entries in some of the show categories is disappointing, especially in the Junior Sections, we will continue to try and come up with new ideas to attract our young folk, if anybody has a bright idea please let us know!
In February the team started the task of producing a new Yearbook using the new format as last year, reviewing the show schedules and securing the much needed adverts to help fund the cost of production. Distributing the new Yearbook has been a challenge as we are short of volunteers but overall we have managed to cover most of the village this year, please let us know if you need a copy, or know of someone who needs one.
Following the pandemic guidelines we cancelled some Gardening Club meetings, but we were delighted to welcome back Bryan Everest for his talk in March. Bryan’s mixture of expert gardening tips, wisdom and humour made it a great evening and we look for hearing him again soon!
Our annual Plant Sale in May was a great success with very few plants remaining, a big thank you to all who donated home grown plants, this is an important fundraising event
We were blessed with good weather for our group trip to the RHS Wisley Gardens in June. The gardens were at their best, the new Hillside Centre is full of information and the new landscaping around it is settling in very well.
As the summer developed, we realised that it was going to be a tough gardening year, and yet we enjoyed some bumper crops whilst some succumbed to the heat, such is the life of a gardener!
The Autumn Show was again low on numbers of entries but high on quality and the tea and homemade cakes were as popular as ever.
A big thank you to the committee, members and volunteers for all your hard work this year, our new programme of events is ready, and we look forward to another successful year.
Thank You
Jon Allbutt
