We are becoming increasingly used to changes in our climate which frequently undermine our best efforts to till the soil and enjoy the results. Our aubergines have been a striking example. They were planted in 20cm pots, in good rich soil-based compost, fed and watered regularly – but not too much – all snug and warm in the polytunnel, and what happened? Strong, well – grown plants with several glossy aubergines near the base, then, a lot of dead blossoms higher up, followed by some tiny new, pea-sized aubergines. It didn’t take a Sherlock Holmes to discover the probable cause. Adopting his methods, we deduce that the plants first experienced ideal weather and temperature during the early period – hence the well-grown fruits at the bottom of the plants. The withered blossoms higher up the stems showed the plants were now under extreme heat stress. Finally, the baby aubergines at the top showed they were able to set as the temperature cooled again. The keen-eyed sleuth would reinforce his theory by pointing to the fact that we’d had an exceptionally good crop of peppers and chillies, which originate in Mexico and South America and therefore, unlike aubergines, revel in as much heat as they can get. My Sherlock was an adviser for the RHS, who said that he’d had a similar problem in his polytunnel and had solved it by draping a large duvet cover over the tunnel in periods of extreme heat. Useful tip, assuming he knows what he was talking about. Continue reading “Ken Mines’ H D Garden Page – September”
Horticultural Society Show a Blooming Success
Although the number of categories were reduced this year the Horticultural Society members put on a wonderful exhibition of village gardening and crafts.
the usual delicious variety of cakes and other refreshments were available.
The show was well attended despite Covid and the awful weather!
Watch this space for a list of the trophy winners.
Horticultural Society Annual Show 2021
It’s tomorrow!!!!!
Horticultural Society Annual Show 2021
All of our village clubs and societies need some local support during these strange times. Please come along even if you are not entering any categories to see the exhibits and meet up with friends and acquaintances you may not have seen for months!
Refreshments will be available in a gazebo outside the hall.
The Entry Form and rules can be downloaded as a PDF from the Village Web site as can the Full Schedule
It’s tomorrow!!!!!
Ken Mine’s Gardening Page for August 2021
THE GARDEN
The garden has recovered from a cold frosty April and a very wet May. So many plants, both vegetables and ornamentals, just sat and sulked for weeks (although surprisingly and counter intuitively here at Rose Cottage mostly untouched by slugs and snails until the recent drier weather arrived). But as the weather improved the garden came to life. Cosmos kept inside against the cold grew strongly enough to escape slug damage which had destroyed an early planting of French marigolds, and French beans caught up with some planted earlier. Tomatoes in the polytunnel were also adversely affected by the cold April nights but are now growing strongly And again, later plantings did better. The moral seems to be, don’t be in too much of a hurry. Continue reading “Ken Mine’s Gardening Page for August 2021”
Little Lily Harley
The Rude Mechanical Theatre Company
Present
Little Lily Harley at The Cricket Field, Hadlow Down, East Sussex, Saturday 7th August at 7.30pm
‘Little Lily Harley’ is about Charlie Chaplin’s childhood in Lambeth. With a drunken but charismatic actor father who was rarely around & a beautiful young actress of a mother who had three children by different fathers, he had to learn along-side his big brother Sydney how to survive a very precarious existence. Sometimes fostered by other people, sometimes in a school for destitute children, sometimes separated from Sydney & sometimes living on the street (as a child!) he nevertheless managed to triumph over all this to become arguably the greatest film actor ever. Pete Talbot, the director, says, “When I wrote the play in 2019, I could not have known how apt it would be for today. The message of hope, triumph over pain, through the imagination and laughter, is really important for today.”
Adults (18 to 64) £19.00, Seniors (65+ & retired) £18.00, Students (18+ & in full time education) £13.00, Children (7 to 17) £10.00 & Families (any two adults or seniors & two children) £45.00.
Important: Visit the Rude’s Web Site to book and read full details of arrangements including Covid restrictions etc.
https://www.therudemechanicaltheatre.co.uk/book-tickets/
If you do not have a Paypal account – use the credit or debit card ‘Check out as a guest’ option which is further down the page when you book & come to pay.
Online ticket sales close at 11.00pm the evening before the date of the show. This does not mean we are sold out. In these circumstances ring 01323-501260 to reserve tickets, or just come. We cannot guarantee, however, that you will get in, but worth a try.
H D Book Club Review – July 2021 ‘Small Pleasures’
“I adore simple pleasures. They are the last refuge of the complex.” Oscar Wilde
This month we chose a complete contrast to our previous book and read ‘Small Pleasures’ by Clare Chambers’ 2020, longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2021 and selected for BBC2 ‘Between the Covers’ Book club. It has been described as a word of mouth hit, “almost flawless”, and I personally found it a delightful book.
Continue reading “H D Book Club Review – July 2021 ‘Small Pleasures’”
Horticultural Society Trip to King John’s Lodge
A beautiful summers morning was enjoyed by members of the Horticultural Society for their visit to King John’s Lodge on Thursday. An absolutely superb re-start to village community events since lockdown. The gardens have been extended and new design concepts introduced since the last visit some years back.
Well done Heather for organising.For interest the name of that amazing red peony admired by all was ‘Early Scout’ (unfortunately the picture colouring doesn’t do it justice!)
Hadlow down Book Club Review – June 2021
‘The Sympathizer’ by Viet Thanh Nguyen
“I am a spy, a sleeper, a spook, a man of two faces. Perhaps not surprisingly, I am also a man of two minds.”
Fifty years ago David Ellsburg risked jail with his sensational leak of Pentagon secrets on the Vietnam War. His only regret now is that he didn’t release them earlier. In tune with the times, this month we have been reading ‘The Sympathizer’ by Viet Thanh Nguyen, a novel about that War and its aftermath and winner of the Pulitzer prize 2016.
Continue reading “Hadlow down Book Club Review – June 2021”
Hort.Soc. 2021 Annual Show
We are pleased to announce that the Horticultural Society have decided to go ahead with this years Annual Show.
In order to create more space for people to move around the tables in line with Covid-19 guidelines some of the usual categories in the show schedule have been cut. There will be no ‘Pot Plant’, ‘Craft’, or ‘Children’s’ categories. Please see the schedule for other changes.
Hopefully refreshments will be available in a gazebo outside the hall.
Please click here to see or download the Entry Form & Rules
And click here for the Schedule
Hort. Soc. Visit to King John’s Lodge
Hadlow Down Horticultural Society members are planning a car visit to King John’s Lodge in Etchingham on Thursday June 24th..
This trip to the extensive and impressive gardens is the first opportunity for members to meet up since lockdown and we’re sure there will be a lot of conversational catching up to do which will be enjoyed in the excellent cafe in the grounds. There is also an “Aladdin’s Cave” of a shop and a very good nursery to browse round after visiting the gardens.
All garden loving villagers are invited to join members and talk about other gardens and other Hort. Soc. activities.
Anyone who wants to join us we will meet at the cafe at 10.30 am. Please just let Heather know you’re coming at heathermines2@hotmail.com and turn up on the day. The cost is £6.50 per person