Dear Friends, We look forward to welcoming you to our AGM next month, but please note the change of venue from that advertised in the last edition of Ventnorensis.

Notice of Annual General Meeting of Ventnor Botanic Garden Friends’ Society Thursday 20th April 2023, 7pm  at St Catherine’s Church, Church Street, Ventnor  P038 1SW A copy of the Agenda including details of voting due to take place at the meeting, the annual accounts and the Minutes from the last AGM will be made available on our website from 5th April. If you would like a printed copy please contact the Secretary, Jenny Parker:  jenniferparker126@hotmail.co.uk  01983 730668 and we will send it out to you by post.  If you wish to put forward any resolutions to the AGM, please notify Val Pitts:    vbgfs.chairman@gmail.com 07887 848449 no later than 30th March 2023. Apologies can be sent to Jenny Parker by email or phone as above  We are unable to hold the AGM at Ventnor Botanic Garden this year but trust that you will be able to join us for tea/coffee or a glass of wine before the meeting from 6.30pm onwards. Only disabled parking will be available at St Catherine’s Church.

You can read and download the Agenda for the meeting here. 

You can read and download the Minutes of the 2022 AGM here.

The accounts of the Society for the period 1 October 2021 to 30 September 2022, as submitted to the Charity Commission for England and Wales, together with the Independent Examiners Report can be read and downloaded HERE.

Join us for a glorious day out to this well-known Dorset garden with all travel costs and
lunch included so that you can relax completely. We also hope to meet the new Curator,
our very own apprentice graduate David Pearce, who expects to be able to spend a little
time with us sharing his excitement for his new role.

VBGFS Trip to Abbotsbury Sub-tropical Gardens

Thursday 29th June 2023

“One of the finest Gardens I have ever visited”

Alan Titchmarsh

Planned itinerary:

Meet our coach either at Coppins Bridge car park at 0730 or at the Red Funnel terminal in
East Cowes from 0800 – 0815 (The ferry leaves at 0830 and we will not wait!)

0930 Ferry arrives in Southampton and the coach travels to Abbotsbury village arriving 1130-1145.

There will be a little time to explore this pretty village before finding The Abbey
House at 12 noon where there will be a sandwich buffet lunch waiting for us. The coach
will then take us on down to the Gardens (about 10 minutes).

1300 – 1600 Free time to explore the Gardens www.abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk/gardens
At some point, David hopes to join us to show us highlights or outline his plans – timing to
be confirmed. Not forgetting the delightful Colonial-style tearoom.

1600 Meet the coach for the return journey
1800 Ferry from Southampton
1900 Arrive East Cowes where you can either leave the party or travel with the coach to
Coppins Bridge.

Cost (to include all coach travel, ferry, Garden entrance and lunch at The Abbey House):
£45 per head
Please reserve your place by e-mailing or phoning Sally Peake
e: sallye.peake@btinternet.com tel 01982 731403 and confirm by payment

BACS: Ventnor Botanic Garden Friends,

sort code 54-41-31, Account no: 49647717 ref: Abbotsbury and your surname

Any questions: please do get in touch with Sally

Jonyth’s talk HOSPITAL BEDS TO FLOWER BEDS has been so popular and many people have been disappointed not to be able to get tickets.  She has very kindly agreed to repeat her presentation on

A SECOND CHANCE
TO HEAR JONYTH’S TALK – IN THE DAY TIME!

MONDAY, 27th MARCH at 3pm in the Ventnor Arts Club – Doors open 2.30pm

Ventnor Botanic Garden archivist Jonyth Hill talks about the transition from the Royal National Chest Hospital to Ventnor Botanic Garden.

A SECOND CHANCE
TO HEAR JONYTH’S TALK – IN THE DAY TIME!

Jonyth’s talk HOSPITAL BEDS TO FLOWER BEDS has been so popular and many people have been disappointed not to be able to get tickets.  She has very kindly agreed to repeat her presentation on

MONDAY, 27th MARCH at 3pm
in the Ventnor Arts Club – Doors open 2.30pm
as advertised in the original poster below
(ignoring original date & times)

Please get in touch with Sally Peake to make your booking
sallye.peake@btinternet.com / ‭01983 731403‬

Throughout most of the earth’s history, recorded in the rocks on the Isle of Wight, the area has been below sea level, however, there were 2 periods where the land was above sea level with plants and animals flourishing. This talk, by Martyn Hornett, will look at the flora, fauna and environment of the early Cretaceous (about 125 million years ago) when dinosaurs ruled the planet and the late Eocene (about 35 million years ago) when there were now extinct mammals living here. The talk will be illustrated with artwork from John Sibbick and we will have fossils from the island for attendees to hold and view.

Flora & Fauna from the Past on Dinosaur Island

Monday 13^th February 2023

Venue: Ventnor Arts Club, 13 High Street, Ventnor, PO38 1RZ

The talk starts at 7pm

Venue open from 6.30pm for drinks and coffee

Ticket prices – £8 for VBGFS members & £10 for non members of VBGFS

To book please contact Anne Hornett

email: AnneHornett.gardens@gmail.com

or

tel: 07958 114019

Escape the holly and the tinsel for an evening and turn your thoughts to glorious summer flowers with Island nurseryman Darren Everest.  Darren has been growing and showing flowers for over thirty five years.  He started growing Dahlias before adding Sweet Peas, Daffodils and late flowering Chrysanthemums. Darren grows for exhibition, choosing only the very best varieties to give him a good chance of success. 

Ticket prices – £10 for VBGFS members & £12 for non-members of VBGFS. This price includes a unique gift and nibbles there will also be mulled wine and a raffle

Darren has exhibited at the National Dahlia Society and National Sweet Pea Society shows, winning several championship classes along the way.  Not only does he exhibit against the best growers in the country but he also does displays at garden shows across the country including Blenheim Palace winning a Gold Award and RHS Hampton Court winning Silver Gilt at his first attempt.

2023 will see Darren exhibit at the world famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show for the first time.  Darren will be giving us an insight into his gardening calendar during this very busy year.