KENT GROUP

THE NATIONAL AURICULA AND PRIMULA SOCIETY

SOUTHERN SECTION

KENT GROUP

The Kent Group was formed in 2005 by growers in the County of Kent and its close neighbours.

KENT GROUP UPDATE

Our season started with the September meeting when we welcomed Alan Guest and his wife Lyn, who had travelled from Worcester to be with us. Alan is well known to Florists in the North and Midland & West Sections and has been in the fancy for many years.

His digital presentation showed us the big names in auricula growing and many of the plants shown over a thirty year period. Without the benefit of rose tinted spectacles our beloved auriculas have definitely improved over the ensuing years.

October was our second AGM and a new Treasurer, Sue Humprey. The rest of the Officers and Committee were willing to stand again. The second part of the meeting was devoted to a demonstration by Colin Humprey of repotting, taking offsets and composts followed by lots of interesting questions from members and sound advice from Colin.

In November we welcomed a member of the Southern Section and well known exhibitor and hybridiser, John Powell.

A very different talk, as John did not use any slides or props, just imparting to those gathered the depth of knowledge he has built up since starting to grow our beloved auriculas.

A fascinating insight into how he raises his seedlings and who would have thought that the scaffolding industry would have an integral part in the care of John’s plants??

The New Year saw us enjoying a social evening and an exchange of views on primula and cyclamen growing, plenty of time for chatting and enjoying some fine catering.

Our further meetings for the rest of this season.

Wednesday February 27th:-Guest Speaker Melvyn Jope “Cyclamen”.

Wednesday March 26th :- Final Show Preparations.

Show Shedule available from:-

COLIN HUMPHREY 01797 344179. colinsueattrinity@btinternet.com

Wednesday April 23rd :- 1st Annual Show.

A Trophy for the best Show Auricula will be awarded.

The Tom Stephenson Perpetual Memorial Trophy.

Sunday May4th :- Auricula Theatre and Plant Sale, East Guldeford, near Rye.

Please check Southern Section Website for updates. New members and visitors always made welcome. Contact Colin Humphrey 01797 344179 Email Suzanne@colinsuetrinity.plus.com We meet approximately monthly from Autumn through to the Spring at The Madginford Hall Bearsted Maidstone.

Our speakers so far have included both National and Local growers and RHS Gold Medalists,and we number amongst our membership Chelsea exhibitors and medal winners.

If you have an interest in Primulas, Auriculas, Cyclamen, etc. why not come along to one of our get togethers and meet the friendliest and most helpful growers in the South East.

We welcome all abilities and can launch you on a successful path to better growing and showing. As a new member your £5 membership will be valid for over twelve months until Autumn 2008 and you will also receive two free plants.

If you would like details of our forthcoming meetings and speakers, please contact the Secretary :- David Underwood on

01634 234073 Or

email Suzanne@colinsuetrinity.plus.com

Looking forward to welcoming you to our next meeting.

NATIONAL AURICULA AND PRIMULA SOCIETY SOUTHERN SECTION KENT GROUP

For those of you with an email address, could you please provide the Secretary with the details, as this saves a lot of time and expense when we have to contact you.

APPEAL

In order to continue to attract the best possible speakers from all parts of the UK it is essential that we have the support of you all by attending the meetings that your committee have worked so hard in arranging for you. We had our teething problems at Coxheath, but have now regained the impetus and we are very fortunate in having our wonderful venue at Bearsted. PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR GROUP.

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WEBSITES

For those of you with internet access a reminder that all three sections of NAPS have websites. With super images, news and show results and lots of other goodies.

NAPS Southern www.southernauriculaprimula.org

NAPS Midland and West www.auriculaandprimula.org.uk

NAPS Northern www.auriculas.org.uk

North American Primula Society http://www.americanprimrosesociety.org/

Secretary’s contact details Your current Secretary can be contacted by mail at

32 Georgian Way Wigmore Rainham Gillingham Kent ME8 0QZ Telephone 01634 234073

Email Suzanne@colinsuetrinity.plus.com MOBILE AVAILABLE FOR CONTACT AT ALL OUR MEETINGS 07986 109063

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If you have any items for inclusion in the newsletter, articles, ideas for articles or a list of plant wants. Please contact the Secretary.

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CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND EMAIL ADDRESSES

COLIN HUMPHREY 01797 344179. colinsueattrinity@btinternet.com

DAVID UNDERWOOD 01634 234073

TERRI SAMPSON 01435 864382 sampson500@aol.com

GEOFF WATT 01622 747703 g.j.w@tesco.net

EDIE WATT 01622 747703 g.j.w@tesco.net

CHRIS GIFFORD 01322 584150 christianegifford@btinternet.com

KEVIN MOON 01233 714055 kevin@moon-and-co.co.uk

MOBILE AVAILABLE FOR CONTACT AT ALL OUR MEETINGS

07986 109063

APPEALS

We would welcome donations of home baking at all our meetings ,if you can help, please contact Edie Watt a few days before the meeting, Edie is our catering coordinator. She would also appreciate help with the serving of refreshments at all our meetings. If any member can take over the responsibility for organizing the Raffle please contact Geoff Watt. Donations to the Raffle are always gratefully received, especially plants of any description. We have a vacancy for a Publicity Officer, this is a very important role, as we constantly need to recruit new members and promote the Group to the general public and the gardening fraternity throughout the County. Please contact the Secretary.