ABERNETHY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY EVENTS 2013-2014

Despite the dark and dreary weather outside we have been busy indoors with an excellent and varied series of Winter talks this season. We have learned about the local Fife Diet project – using and growing local food, heard of continuing developments on the Cambo Estate – particularly their annual snowdrop Festival, and focused on the different types of bees in the garden, their particular habitats and behaviour.  

New members of the Society are always welcome. We meet on the second Wednesday of the month at the Masonic Hall at 7.30. Our talks continue throughout the Spring (see diary below) and events include several trips: to see the Cambo snowdrops by starlight in February and a tour of the Dundee Botanical Gardens in May guided by former curator and Abernethy resident Les Bisset.

Our AGM happens on 12 March when all members will be invited to vote on our new Constitution and choose the new Committee. We will also have presentations on our two main projects for the year ahead: the Abernethy Fruit Tree Trail and proposed improvements to the Nurse Peattie Memorial Garden at the entrance to the village. The Trail is designed as an edible walking trail through and around the village for everyone to enjoy. The first sections of hedgerow: hazel, blackthorn, elder, dog rose and crab apple saplings, were planted in mid-November in the Den with the enthusiastic participation of children from Abernethy Primary. Phase two has identified several further locations including the Rough Glen/Coach Road where fruit trees will be planted in early Spring. The co-operation and support of various organisations and landowners, a wide range of age groups and interests throughout the village is making the Trail a real Community project.
News of all our activities can be found on our new website https://sites.google.com/site/abernethyhorticultural/home

The days are definitely getting longer – Spring cannot be far behind and a whole new gardening year to enjoy!

Caroline Boyle Secretary

Diary of forthcoming AHS events  

• 12th March AGM & presentation of projects for coming year
• 9 th  April Beautiful Perth  A talk by the deputy chair of the Beautiful Perth scheme and founder member of Perth In Bloom, Euna Scott MBE
• 17th May  A guided tour of Dundee Botanic Gardens with ex-curator Les Bisset. Time to be confirmed
• 11th June The Monastic Garden in Scotland, by Marilyn Brown, author of 2012 publication "Scotland's Lost Gardens"
• June The Annual AHS Road Trip - venue and time to be confirmed