May 2007

A JOB WELL DONE
At the Annual General Meeting of the Parish Council on May 14, Liz Holliday will be handing over its Chairmanship to a yet-to-be decided successor. She will then leave the Council having served as a Councillor for eight years, the last four as Chairman.
As will be recalled from her report in last month's Chipperfield News, these four years have been significant ones for the Council. Amongst other things, they have seen a complete change of staff, a thorough overhaul of the Council's Financial and Grant-giving Procedures, the inauguration of three new footpaths, improvements to the allotments and the Common and better liaison with the police.
These initiatives, together with an increasing burden of routine paperwork from Government and other organisations have been presided over by Liz with characteristic care, drive and efficiency. She has seen that Council affairs have been conducted with thoughtfulness and good humour. Hers truly will be a difficult act to follow and the village is indebted to her for the time and energy she has devoted to its welfare. We wish her well as she finds a little more time to devote to her many other interests.
Thank you, Liz, for a job well done.
David Nobbs

ST PAUL'S SCHOOL PTA GOLF DAY
On Friday 8 June at 1pm, St Paul's School PTA will be hosting their second Fundraising Golf Day at Bushey Hall Golf Club. After the success of last year the PTA will again be offering you the chance to win some fantastic prizes, including a £15,000 car, Golfing Holidays and fabulous prizes in the Raffle and Auction. As well as enjoying an afternoons golfing and an excellent three course meal in the evening.
We welcome all standards, male or female, as a team of four, or on your own, to join us on the 8 June. Please come and support your local school and help us to beat the figure of £2000 raised last year, and have a fun day out.
We are also looking for hole sponsors, advertisers on the course and in the programme.
Further details of how to sponsor a hole can be gained by phoning Mark or John on the numbers below.
Anyone interested in playing or sponsorship contact -
Mark tel: 01923 2708111
email: mkojswales@yahoo.com
or John tel: 07956960309
email: john.burrows@esmoss.co.uk

CHIPPERFIELD HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
SPRING SHOW RESULTS - SATURDAY 24 MARCH
The village hall in Chipperfield was a riot of colour as the Spring Show took place on 24 March. The daffodils had pride of place and vases of the most beautiful blooms filled one side of the hall. The floral art displays filled numerous tables along the other side and were simply wonderful. Two beautiful quilts were amongst the handicraft section which included fantastic embroidery and canvas work, paintings and sewn garments. Altogether 37 exhibitors displayed their talents, both in growing flowers and produce and in the handicraft, domestic, photography and the junior sections. A show which bought pleasure both to the eyes of the judges and to all who came to the show in the afternoon.
The winner of the ABRAHAMS CUP for the most points won in the show was Mr Mike Leon, with the H. SIMMONS CUP for the runner-up being won by Mrs Sue Tyler. The prizes were presented by Mrs Margaret Stratford, who is the show secretary of Sarratt Horticultural Society. Our grateful thanks to our judges and all who helped on the day, we couldn't manage without you.
Ann Soanes

DACORUM BOROUGH COUNCIL WASTE COLLECTION
May Bank Holiday
waste collection dates:

Following the two bank holidays this month, please note that the wheeled bin and recycling boxes will be collected one day later - ie: on Thursday 10 May (green bin) and Thursday 31 May (grey bin). In both instances the bins should be put out on Wednesday evening.

RICKMANSWORTH DECORATIVE & FINE ARTS SOCIETY
RDFAS members meet at the attractive venue of Sarratt Village Hall for their monthly illustrated lectures. We hold nine from September to June, on the second Tuesday of each month at 11am, coffee from 10.30. Subjects this year range from 'Rodin and his Sources' to 'Designing Historical Costumes for Film and TV' to 'Frogmore House, a Royal Retreat'. Additionally we run four outside Visits per year and three Study Days where we delve into subjects in more detail.
With nearly 300 members the Hall is usually pretty full, but we always have room for and welcome visitors, so do note in your diary our next date of Tuesday 8 May for 'Gertrude Jekyll - her influence of 20th century gardens' and come and meet us.
Jean Butler, Chairman

KINGS LANGLEY PROBUS CLUB
For readers who are unfamiliar with the activities of this Club, please read on. Probus is the Association of retired and semi-retired gentlemen, who join together in autonomous Clubs throughout the world.
The basic purpose of the Club is to provide regular gatherings of those who, in retirement, appreciate and value opportunities for social contact and fellowship amongst others in similar circumstances and with a similar level of interest. The Club is non-political and non-profit making.
Meetings are held on the third Tuesday in each month in the Kings Langley Cricket Club. Most meetings include a speaker covering a wide range of interesting subjects.
Social events are organised throughout the year, these include visits to the theatre, concerts and places of interest and one or two lunches. Wives and partners are invited to the social events.
Membership costs only £13 per annum.
Enquiries via the Secretary, Eric Martin on 01923 267604.
Tony Thompson, Chairman

1st CHIPPERFIELD BROWNIE PACK
1st Chipperfield Brownies have welcomed 9 new girls since September. We have enjoyed lots of fun-packed meetings/activities, including a night walk and learning to line dance. One of our parents joined us to do a keep-fit routine, thanks very much Charlie. We all had a great time. We ended the term with Christmas craft and a Christmas party, even Father Christmas visited us!
The new term saw us enjoying a star gazing evening, making pizzas and making Chines lanterns. The girls dressed in various costumes from around the world for our Thinking Day evening and we also had a 40's night. We ended the term by making Mothers Day cards and had a Pack Holiday theme night to prepare for our biggest Brownie adventure in the Easter holiday.
The theme for our Pack Holiday was Beatrix Potter. Fifteeen eager Brownies arrived at Well End Scout Activity Centre on 2 April to join in lots of fun activities. The girls enjoyed a teddy bears picnic, making collages of various characters from Beatrix Potter, making Easter bonnets, campfire singing, a scavenger hunt and an Easter egg hunt. As well as these activities and more, the girls worked very hard to gain their cooks, home skills and Brownie holiday badges. It really was a great holiday, the girls were very well behaved and so polite and they all got on very well together. Everyone was very helpful but there could only be one Pack Holiday Super Brownie and that was Eve Portwin. Well done. I want to say a big thank you to my 'team' - Jo, Jerri, Gill and Helen. Also, well done to Jo for achieving her Catering Certificate during the holiday. I'm looking forward to the next one!
My pack is full to bursting at the moment, but if you would like to put your daughter on the waiting list (the starting age is 7) please phone Sian Roberts (Brown Owl) on 01442 261030 (daytime) or 07986 192313.
There are lots of girls in our District who would love to be part of Girlguiding (Rainbows 5-7, Brownies 7-10 and Guides 10-14) but due to insufficient leaders are unable to. If you would like a really rewarding experience, why not give a little time to Guiding? You can be a Guider from the age of 18 or a Young Leader between the age of 14-18. If you are interested please contact Jean Banks 01923 400370.
Sian Roberts, Brown Owl

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
Summer Show - 23rd June
This is to remind you that the three photographic classes for the above show are: A Pub Sign; Chimneys;
An Action Photo with People
Still time to take that prize winning picture!

PLEASE JOIN US
Exit Plan, a London based band, will be playing at Blackwells on Saturday 19 May with Chipperfield resident, Charlotte Dowd, on the drums. The night will start with a supprt band, The Budda Cakes, followed by Exit Plan, and will end with a disco. All proceeds from the night will go towards helping Steven Simms and his family.
Tickets will be available from Blackwells or you can e-mail Charlotte at charlottedowd@hotmail.com

KING'S LANGLEY BOWLS CLUB
Situated to the rear of The Saracens Head, High Street, Kings Langley
We are holding a COME AND TRY BOWLS morning at the Kings Langley Bowls Club on Sunday, 6th May between 10.00am and 1.00pm. So why not join us and bring along family and friends for a fun morning. There will be a team of members on hand to show you the rudiments of the game. Equipment will be provided but please wear flat soled shoes.
After you have tried your hand at bowls we would like you to join us for cheese and wine in the clubhouse when bowlers can meet other members of the club and find out a little more about the club.
Please could you telephone Lucinda or Geoff on 01923 262857 if you would like to come along to the Come and Try Bowls morning.
There will be coaching sessions on Sunday mornings from 10.00am to 12 noon through May to September.

VILLAGE PEOPLE
Ann Waine is pleased to announce the arrival of her seventh grandchild. Farrah Emma Frances arrived on Thursday 22 March at the Long Island College Hospital, Brooklyn, New York. Proud parents are Jo (nŽe Phillips), and Patrick O'Sullivan. Farrah has two big sisters, Imogen and Gabrielle, and lots of cousins; Beatrice & Johnny, Roisin & Maia and Ashley & Louie.

Terry and Sandra Wicks of Scatterdells Lane are thrilled to annouce the birth of their grandson, Harrison Spencer Wicks, born on 3 April weighing 7lb 10 ozs. Proud parents are Spencer and Debbie of Tower Hill.

Following her recent spell of poor health, it's good to see Gladys Taaffe back home again and out walking with her dog, Wally.

Well done Peggy Harpley for knitting 100 teddy bears and sewing up knitted squares into 10 blankets. They have now gone on their way to help children in disaster zones.

MUSICIANS WANTED!
Not more than one or two year's experience. Over about 40 years of age to form an unlikely group, possibly with the name of the 'Olden Goldies' or 'Where's my Stairway to Heaven'.
Style is something likely to be British folk-ish, bluegrass or summink.
Looking for about 3 to 36 of us to practice about once or twice a week if the wives/girlfriends or ASBO's allow.
Not looking for serious musicians (yet) cos I ain't, but perhaps in two or three years we might do some gigs if the pacemaker batteries last that long and the police have not yet found us.
You may be a vegetarian, teetotallar or bitter, cider or malt whisky drinker. Irish whiskey also allowed but NO, absolutely NO lager types please!
Me? I beat up a mandolin or at least make it and the cat suffer.
Apply Mike: 01923 261305 or badgermail via the posthole in the woods, near the old oak.

BLACKWELL'S
Every Thursday at 12.30pm lunch is served in the members lounge. You are very welcome to join if you are a resident of Chipperfield or a club member.
Cost £3.50 for a two course meal with tea or coffee.
Telephone 01923 264708 before 5pm on Tuesday to book your place.

CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
Confidential, independent and impartial advice available every Thursday from 9.00-11.30am at The Nap Surgery, Kings Langley and 1.15-3.45pm at the Memorial Hall, Bovingdon.
Telephone advice helpline on Thursdays 10.00am-4.00pm 01442 875142

OPEN GARDENS - SUNDAY 1 JULY 2-5pm
A date for your diary!
Burford House, Mahogany Hall, Doggetts and Lamington House will be open again this year in aid of the British Red Cross.
Music by Mosaic Orchestra and teas at Burford House. Plants by Elborns Hardy Plants at Mahogany Hall. Children may use the pool at Doggetts with parental supervision from the poolside. Ice creams will be available at Doggetts.
Combined admission for adults £4.

FROM OUR CHURCHES

BAPTIST CHURCH
We had Tear Fund Sunday on March 11th, with the service led by Rev. Andrew Cowley who told us about the work being done in Cambodia. Afterwards there was a frugal lunch; we were able to send £74.50 to the work of Tear Fund.
The following week we were at St Paul's for Mothering Sunday, it's good for us to be together on special occasions.
A coffee morning was held to raise funds towards the cost of a Judicial Review of the consultation process conducted by West Herts Hospitals Trust. We raised £115, and this has been sent to the Dacorum Hospital Action Group who are fighting to keep the Hospital, which is so important to us all who live in the Dacorum area. Thank you for your support.
Our May Fair is being held on May19th from 2pm. We shall be pleased to see any of you there. See further publicity elsewhere in this copy of Chipperfield News.

ST PAUL'S AND HOLY CROSS
October 2000: one of the most memorable experiences of my life: three and a half weeks spent in Rwanda. I was one of a party of nine, mainly clergy, on a tour of this amazingly beautiful, yet poverty stricken land.
We were there to listen and to learn, to be alongside the ordinary people, as they continued to struggle with the deep wounds of the 1994 genocide, with HIV Aids, and poverty which for so many had to be seen to be believed.
We were much heartened by the fortitude of the people we met. Their generosity to us was decidedly humbling. Wherever we went we were told what an encouragement our visit to them was - "we are not forgotten".
The needs were, and still are, immense. Yet we saw the impact of partnership. Projects funded by organisations like Christian Aid or TEAR Fund staffed by locals able to use their very considerable skills, because of the funding. These both generated employment and developed resources, appropriate expertise being shared.
Back in this country, in my previous parish, we raised over £20k, to enable one community to build a clinic, which now serves a population of about 30,000, provides basic medical care, treatment for malaria, a maternity suite, a nutrition centre, and a demonstration garden to encourage better land usage. Hearing of this project, a Canadian charity provided further funding to enable an Aids clinic to be built alongside!
Our local Junior school in its charity fortnight raised enough to enable a community to build a large rainwater tank, enabling much precious water to be saved and used in the dry season... a local man gave £500, providing the cash for a long water pipe to provide filtered water with outlet taps for three hillside communities, saving hours of hard working to and from a muddy supply, much lower down.... (it reminded me a little of the red and white painted standpipes I remember seeing as a young lad cycling through rural Suffolk some fifty years ago...)
This month sees Christian Aid Week. Most of us cannot go to places like Rwanda, but we can put money into the hands of responsible people ... and our gifts make an amazing difference. We have clean water, medical services, more than adequate food, shelter...
What we give this month could bring amazing changes to some, if ...
With my greetings, Jim Stevens

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
The words "Medicine Bottle" do not usually induce a warm glow in people, perhaps due to memories of some unpleasant childhood mixtures. At our church the term has a totally different meaning because, on a shelf above the missals and hymn books, there stands a sizeable, empty whisky bottle with a coin-sized slot in the neck. This, always referred to as "The Medicine Bottle", is gradually filled with small change dropped in by members of the congregation and visitors.
When recently emptied, and supplemented by bronze coins from collections and candle boxes, the result was a pleasing sum of just over £300 which will be added to our fund to support dispensaries in Tanzania. Really good medicine!

TRAIDCRAFT SPRING CATALOGUE!
Traidcraft's vision is a world freed from the scandal of poverty, where trade is just and people and communities can flourish.
The Traidcraft Spring Catalogue - a collection of the best fair trade craft, fashion and food items from around the world - is now available at the back of St Paul's Church on the Common. There is a regular monthly Traidcraft sale after the 10am Benefice service at St Paul's on the third Sunday of each month.
Another major Christian organisation that shares Traidcraft's vision of a world freed from poverty is CHRISTIAN AID. St Paul's will again be organising a house to house collection in Chipperfield during Christian Aid Week, 13-19 May (see below).

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK 13-19 MAY
This is the fiftieth year of Christian Aid Week. Many of us feel sad when we see on our TV screens the terrible poverty in the world but feel that there is nothing we can do to change this. Last year £15 million was raised in Christian Aid Week so together we can make a difference. We can be part of the army of 300,000 house to house collectors whose efforts, although individually small, can make real improvements to the lives of many thousands of people. Please do consider whether you can spare a couple of hours to be part of this great fundraising week. If you would be willing to be a house-to-house collector, either on your own or as part of a group, please contact Peter Corbett (01923 267066) Janet Cornell (01923 262468) or John Stickland (01442 832090).
Come to St Paul's to hear more about Christian Aid. On Sunday 13 May there is an informal family service in the Parish Room at 10 am and, on 20 May, Holy Cross Sarratt join St Paul's for a joint service of Communion at 10am when there will be a collection for Christian Aid and a Traidcraft sale after the service. On Saturday 12 May there is a Bingo Night and Light Supper at Sarratt Village Hall at 7.30 (please ring John Guy on 267549) and on Saturday 19 May there is a Bring and Buy Sale at The Barn, Little Sarratt Hall.

AN INTERESTING FLIGHT OR TWO
by Graham McMellin

Few of you may remember the Indonesian Confrontation. This was a minor conflict which occurred in the mid-sixties when the then militarily confident and capable Indonesia was threatening the Malaysian Confederation (which included Singapore and Borneo). Elements of the British Armed Forces were deployed throughout the Confederation including, in my case, No 206 Squadron consisting Shackleton Mark 3 Long Range Maritime Patrol aircraft. These aircraft, whose lineage with the Lancaster was obvious with their twin tails, had four mighty Rolls Royce Griffen engines each developing 2700 horsepower driving contra-rotating propellers. Very impressive, except at maximum all-up weight with a full fuel load it was joked that the only reason the aircraft got airborne was because the earth was round! Anyway, our time in the Far East was up and we were to deploy back home to Kinloss, Scotland. My crew was to fly the first aircraft back from Changi where we had been based. Came the day we got up very early to ensure the coolest and driest possible conditions for maximum power on take-off. We rolled down the runway, got airborne and cleared the trees at the end - just. However, the undercarriage did not fully retract and acceleration was practically non-existent. We ran out of water-methynol (used to provide extra boost to the engines), and, at 300 ft, the hills ahead were above us and looming closer. So I ordered the fuel to be jettisoned and attempted to turn only for the stick-shackers (indicating an imminent stall) to start their ominous warning. I nursed the aircraft around and eventually climbed to 1000ft. After 45 minutes we got down to maximum landing weight; got the undercarriage down and returned. The engineers found a fault in one of the undercarriage bays, but now it was too hot to attempt another take-off. Next day we took-off early again and this time the undercarriage retracted, but there was a mighty bang from one of the engines. All engine indications continued to be fine so I elected to continue to our staging post of Gan in the Maldives. Some 13 hours later we landed and inspected the engine to find that the 'cough' had blown the bottom cowling off. Fortunately we had spotted an old Shackleton airframe which had been used for fire practice and found the identical panel which, whilst fire damaged, fitted our aircraft and was bolted on. It did not look pretty. Next morning we were off again, but it was very hot and humid and it took nearly 20 minutes to reach 500ft (just think of that next time you get airborne from Heathrow). We flew on to Aden, our next stop, through the Inter-tropical Convergence Zone where the rain was so heavy I could not see the nose of the aircraft only 6 feet in front of me. After 11 flying hours we landed at Aden which at the time was not the safest place to roam so were escorted everywhere. Next morning off again this time to Malta and landed there after 13 hours flying time. There I left my overnight bag outboard of the main undercarriage while I did the usual pilot things such as ordering the met forecast for the next day. When I returned to the aircraft I found someone had overfilled the oil in the adjacent engine and guess where the overflow pipe came out. Fortunately the contents of the bag were hardly affected. Next morning we were off again this time bound for home. Before setting out from Changi we had said we would land at 4pm, and we expected our families would be there to meet us. However, while flying up the UK the navigator realised that we were going to be 20 minutes early so we hauled back on the throttles and achieved a 4pm arrival, except I decided (I was only 26 at the time) to fly low down the runway and haul the aircraft around for a spectacular landing. It was only when we entered dispersal that I realised, in addition to the families, the Station Commander and all the bigwigs were there also. I let the crew depart the aircraft and slunk out after them, but everyone was very generous and nothing was said. I did not even recognise my wife - she seemed to have put on a lot of weight around her middle (the result now works in the city!). But just think, it took 46 hours flying by myself and one co-pilot over four days to achieve what you now do in 13 odd hours flying above the weather with two captains and two first officers equipped with a reliable autopilot and navigation aids to guide you on your way! Four years later I converted to jets and had adventures with them - but that is another story or two........

TENNIS CLUB AGM
It's that time of year again to dust down the tennis racquets and come and join us for fun and fitness on the courts.
Our Annual General Meeting is at 8.00pm on Wednesday 9 May 2007 at the Youth Club (next to the tennis courts).
New members will be given a warm welcome as well as existing members and details of coaching for the children and plans for social tennis will be announced.
This will be washed down with a nice glass of wine and some cheese to make the evening an enjoyable occasion.
Any questions re membership please call Ruth Dicker on 01923 262454.

BUTTERFLIES, BIRDS AND BEES
How contrasting our weather has been in recent weeks. Some days have been woolly hat and gloves days and some have been sun hat and tee shirt days! It is not only me that has noticed the difference, the early flying insects and butterflies have as well. The beautiful yellow Brimstone butterfly is usually the first to be seen on the wing. The first hint of warm sunshine wakes it from its winter hibernation and the females start to search for Buckthorn bushes to lay their eggs on whilst the males will be on the look out for mates. Brimstones, along with Peacocks, live longer than a lot of butterflies. The ones that are flying now will have emerged from their chrysalises in August last year and then spent all their time gorging on nectar until hibernating in November. They usually chose a spot deep among the evergreen leaves of ivy, or sometimes holly. Although easy to see as they dash about in sunshine when they close their wings to rest on leaves their camouflage is perfect. They have prominent veins and even a spot of "mould" in the centre of their wings; just like a slightly manky leaf. On warm days they have enjoyed the nectar in the primroses in our gravel garden, but they have had to share the early flowers with quite a few Peacocks. They will have spent the winter hibernating in a hollow tree or the corner of a shed. Their closed wings resemble old bits of wood, but when they open they are spectacular,with their unmistakable "peacocks eyes".
It is very important that the butterflies find nectar when they first emerge. If the weather changes they will go back into semi-hibernation and they need to have enough reserves to get them on the wing again in the next warm spell. Our gravel garden was great for attracting butterflies last summer and the early tulips and the primroses that are out now have made it just as good this spring. We like to sit in the sunshine and have our mid-morning break there and watching the butterflies has been very relaxing.
The various bees in the garden never seem to relax and they have been enjoying the winter flowering heathers in the front garden. I wish heathers were not out of fashion with gardeners these days as they are so good for bees. We get so many early warm days now that a lot of bees are out and about in January and February when there is little food available to them and a few more heathers would be a boon to them.
The carrion crows were obviously pleased with their mention in last month's notes and have decided to nest in a silver birch tree within sight of our dining room windows. I have been watching them bring in twigs and carefully place them whilst eating my breakfast. I think they are bound to feature again for their efforts.
Wendy Bathurst

CHIPPERFIELD CARE
At the AGM held on 28 March Lesley Baker gave the Organiser's report. She opened with the sad news that we had lost two wonderful volunteers during the year, Jean Fleming and Peter Ridewood, both of them will be missed by us all. We had sadly also lost five of our clients.
In early December, we held a Christmas Tea Party at Blackwells for our clients; Paul and Di Hewetson made us very welcome and a good time was had by all. This year it has been decided to hold a summer party for our clients. It will take place on August 14 at Whitegates, Commonwood, the home of Peter and Brenda Berners Price. Our grateful thanks to them for offering to host what will be a lovely occasion. In September we made the third of the 3 promised donations to the school. Mrs Tattersall, the new head, was delighted and we received her letter of thanks.
We would greatly welcome more volunteers for Care, it is not difficult or time consuming, the hours have recently been changed and the telephone line 01923 264700 is now operating between 9.30am and 1.30pm on weekdays.
Many, many thanks to all our volunteers who do a wonderful job, those who organise the rotas, work on the accounts and do the auditing and all those on the other end of the phone listening to our clients and arranging help for them. Special thanks must go to Shelagh Nicholls, our Chairman, and Sue Ellis, our Secretary, and of course to our retiring Organiser Lesley Baker, she will be a very hard act to follow.
Ann Soanes

YOUR GARDEN IN MAY
We have had a magnificent spring this year and with nights getting lighter now, garden preparations should be well advanced. Later this month it should be safe to do most of the planting although we must always be on guard against the odd late frost and a little garden fleece should help here. As well as bedding out the flower borders with plants such as geraniums and busy lizzies, petunias, antirrhinums, salvias and begonias, we should be planting up hanging baskets, tubs and window boxes. The garden centre is now full of all the traditional bedding plants with some of the latest introductions and less usual plants too. If you have a greenhouse, hanging baskets can be planted up immediately so that they are growing away well when they are put outside towards the end of the month. Don't forget to add a little Swell-gel to composts to help conserve water. When planting containers it's a good idea to incorporate grasses, small conifers and a few alpines. Seeds of clarkia, candytuft, godetia and nigella can be sown direct in the borders in which they are to be grown. Dahlia tubers, cannas and summer-flowering bulbs such as gladioli should be planted as soon as possible.
Runner beans, courgettes and marrows should be planted later in the month. Regular sowings of salad crops should be kept up and brassicas can be sown now. Keep on top of the weeds with regular hoeing and make sure that the vegetable crops are watered. Tomatoes must always be watered at regular intervals. The early potato crops should be ready to dig soon. It is too late to plant bare-root hedging plants now, but trees, shrubs, conifers and climbers can be planted because they are container-grown. When planting, a little bonemeal should be put in the bottom of the hole and compost should be mixed with the soil which is used to fill the hole. Plants should be well watered during the first few weeks. Roses need to be sprayed every couple of weeks against black spot, mildew and rust. Feed roses, perennials and shrubs with Toprose fertilizer but use an ericaceous feed on camellias, azaleas and rhododendrons. Stake the herbaceous perennials and water in dry spells. Keep the weeds down and put down mulches to help conserve water. Newly-laid turf and seeded areas of grass will need to be watered but do not water established lawns. Regularly cut the grass, but in dry weather do not cut lawns too short. Dead flowers should be removed from bulbs and a sprinkling of fertilizer will help build up the bulbs for next year.
The Malvern Spring Gardening Show is from 10-13 May (tickets 01684 584924) and the Chelsea Flower Show is from 22-26 May (tickets 0870 842 2217). The Hertfordshire Garden Show at Knebworth is on 19-20 May and the Hertfordshire County Show is on 26-27 May. Both the Saville Garden in Windsor Great Park and the RHS Gardens at Wisley is Surrey will be well worth a visit later in the month when rhododendrons and azaleas will be a blaze of colour. Locally a number of gardens will be open for charity, such as that t Great Sarratt Hall on 27 May.
Terry Simmonds