Gardeners

Brookdale Gardening Section has approximately 200 members.

Brookdale Gardening Section was formed in the season of 1968/69 and became a section in 1971/72. The activities are varied, being made up of Coffee Mornings, combined with competitions and social evenings. By being present at any of the Gardeners functions, you do not need to be a budding Titchmarsh or the Monty Don of 'Gardeners World' to join this very active Section with a large membership.

The hard-working Committee enjoys the challenge of supplying gardening know-how at the Annual Rose, Bulb and Home-Grown Show competitions, which are always a great pleasure to attend and gardening members are able to enter their exhibits. As well as the above,in house competitions, table quiz's and raffles are held throughout the year.

Twelve monthly Coffee Mornings are still the order of the day, when members meet to enjoy a chat over coffee and biscuits, as well as enjoying occasional short-talks by members on seasonal gardening topics.

The "Rose Cup" is still awarded annually to the grower of the "best rose in show" and at the end of the year, the "Gardeners Cup" is awarded to the highest points winner, from the three Shows mentioned above. Plants grown by members are normally on sale at Coffee Mornings and a recent popular innovation has been the introduction of a professional grower once a year.

During the year, three evening meetings are held, normally being illustrated talks by excellent speakers, on a variety of subjects, but mainly with a floral or nature theme.

A summer outing is made to a place of gardening interest and continues to be popular, as does the Annual Social, with a meal and great mix of entertainment.

In July 2005 BBC Radio 4's Gardeners Question Time came to the Brookdale Club courtesy of the Gardening Section.

With an enthusiastic, hard-working Committee, the Section aims to continue developing its popular events, whist taking into account modern trends and extending a warm friendly welcome.

Back to sections