Hill Rise Allotment Association St. Ives Gardening Club Newsletter April 2018 Hi Everyone, is it really Spring? Has Winter really ended? Are we ever likely to catch up on those March and April tasks whilst taking on board all general Spring maintenance jobs? The inter schools competition between Eastfield and Wheatfields has been interrupted but I am sure by mid May we will have it all back on track. Peter Beales Rose festival Saturday 16 June: I will be sending out notices for payment to all who have booked reservations over the next few days. There will be 3 options for payment details will be given in the notice. The cost will be £12.00 per person whether a club member or not. Wednesday 18 th April: Our speaker will be Pam Bullivent, an NGS volunteer, who will give a talk – ‘The National Open Gardens Scheme.’ The talk with photos will include the aims and aspirations of the scheme, the charities which are supported by NGS, Local gardens which are in our catchment area of say 15 to 20 miles and participating in the 2018 scheme and some guidance in the event a member or members of the club might like to open up their garden. Please remember that this meeting will be held in the Hall downstairs with direct access to the kitchen. I will then be sending out a simple Yes / No poll as to whether we wish to continue downstairs (subject to availability) or return to the Centrum upstairs. Wednesday 2nd May: D’Arcy & Everest - Specialists in British home grown Alpine Plants. Located on Pidley Sheep Lane, off Somersham Road. PE28 3FL Time: 18.35 for 18.45 start of guided tour of the nursery by Angela Whiting. Depart 20.30 latest. Plants will be available for purchase. Please let me know by Wednesday 25 th April if you are intending to come along in order I may let Angela know numbers. Anyone requiring transport assistance please contact Robin.