23rd January 2016

“A Very Norfolk Challenge”, talk given by John Simmons OBE, who seems to have been awarded the VMH while I wasn't looking.

John described the generation of his garden from an unprepossesing field and huge area of water, together covering 2.5 acres.

We could all appreciate the time and effort involved, and enjoyed John's pictures of both the developing plot and ponds, and the beautiful and interesting plants and shrubs, not to mention wildlife to which it is home.

He mentioned a 'bistort pudding', which looks like a strange excuse to put together an unusual collection of ingredients, perhaps as an excuse to be in a warm kitchen for several hours during April.(See Google).

Another endearing, or perhaps slightly shocking snippet, depending on your point of view, was that he uses Glyphosate to curb the spread of over-boisterous clumps of perennials, by watering it round at his chosen circumference.

This was an informative and lively talk, and members didn't miss too much when the microphone failed after John had dropped it.

There will be a write-up in the Summer newsletter.

Chris Davies