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