2023-08-31-annual-report

Maghera and District Gardening Group – Chairman’s Report 2022/23

In our 19[th] year, the activities enjoyed by our now 85 members included talks, presentations and visits across a wide range of garden lay-outs and formats, from the very structured to the highly informal, with the emphasis varying from the exotic to native plants and often with an increasing focus on sustainability –

Talks and Presentations –

• Joanna Braniff – Gardening for mind body and soul

• Mary-Anne Farenden – Creating the Super Garden

• Philip Stewart – Yew Tree Garden

• Mark Stuart – Kildress Walled Garden

• Maurice Parkinson – Ballyrobert

• John and Norma Shannon – Inver Garden Centre, Larne

• Thomas McCaw & Thomas Ragu – Fernhill Cottage, Spa

Visits / Outings to the gardens of -

• Mary McGahon

• Philip Stewart

• Mark Stuart

• Hugh Martin McAlary

• Jessie Mehaffey (Lifford), Altnagelvin Garden Centre and Oak Garden, Glenshane Road

Annual Dinner – (in the Tap Room Bellaghy) - Slideshow from Brendan Convery

Thanks

Thanks to all our speakers and hosts; those who provided refreshments and to the Minister and Session of Maghera Presbyterian church for the use of their facilities throughout the year. Thanks also to the TBF Thompson for a very generous grant of £1500 which enabled us to purchase a new digital projector, sound system and laptop. Finally thanks to our members, not least those on the committee, for their attendance, support and enthusiasm throughout the year.

Rosemary Torrens