At last – some rain! We can almost hear the gardens (and gardeners) sigh with relief and the plants start to grow again.

Our June meeting is on Thursday 12th at the usual time and venue when Stephen Lovell will be giving a talk called Bark, Berry and Leaf – Texture In The Garden, an alternative view – forget flowers and look what else nature provides in the plant kingdom. We will have our Plant Sales table as usual so don’t forget your plants and cash.

The coach trip to Norwell on May 29th is fully booked but add your name to the waiting list as there can be last-minute cancellations.

There are plenty more ‘retail opportunities’ in the next few weeks with plant fairs in our region. At the end of the month Flower Power Fairs will be at Rode Hall, Scholar Green, ST7 3QP. Bank Holiday Monday 26th May, 11am-4pm with home-made refreshments served in the old coach house. Pre-Book Tickets Online via the Rode Hall website. Admission £6.00, Children £3.00.

In June there are Plant Hunters Fairs at Hodnet Hall on the weekend June 7 – 8; Middleton Hall in Tamworth on June 22nd and Whittington Castle near Oswestry on June 29th.

For gardens to visit check in your NGS Yellow Book as there are several open this month including 23 St John’s Road in Stafford on Thursday June 19 – Friday 20th, The Pintles in Great Bridgford on June 8th, and The Secret Garden in Little Haywood on Friday 6th and Friday 27th among many others. There are also several opening not too far away in Cheshire, Derbyshire and Shropshire – one of the joys of living close to so many county boundaries – check the NGS website (or app on your phone) for details.

We look forward to seeing you on June 12th at our meeting at 7.30pm in the Christ Church Centre.