CHURCH CROOKHAM and FLEET GARDEN SOCIETY Established 1954 ccfgsoc.org.uk
25th May 2026
Dear Member, I do hope you are staying cool in this summer sun and have found some shade. It is the perfect time to relax in your garden with a cool drink. This is especially true if you attended our latest talk on weeding and have put all the weeding advice into practice. Over 30 people attended the talk we had with David Standing on the “pleasure of weeding”. It was quite illuminating with such an array of tools to tackle this never-ending job. Having the right tool makes all the difference, and I will be on the lookout for the Japanese weeding trowel. Everyone was nodding along as each weed species was discussed and how best to tackle it. But David gave us hope that there is light at the end of the weedy tunnel. Little and often seems to be the best way to save our backs. Weeds can be beautiful too and I will think twice before I tackle a plant in the ‘wrong’ place. Thank you to all those that attended and made for a very enjoyable evening.
Wisley Visit
We still have places on the Wisley visit which is very soon, Saturday 6th June. Contact Gillian Rose at gillianr.999@gmail.com to book a space. (The details are attached with the correct address.) This free visit pays for your CCFGSoc £5 membership fee many times over and worth joining our Garden Society just for this opportunity. Please spread the word to non-members.
Also attached is our summer show guide for Saturday 11th July. Please pass this guide onto anyone you think may like to enter. We are always on the lookout for new entrants. Copies of the show guide are now available at the Trading Shed. There are classes for everyone, vegetables, fruit, flowers, floral art, baking, photography and a children’s section. We have the classic animal made from vegetable, fruit and/or flowers for the children. And we are being more adventurous with our floral art.
Can you do an exhibit as a “film theme”? I am already looking forward to seeing the creations, accessories are allowed. (War of the Roses, The Marigold Hotel to name a few). We have the recipe for an Orange Loaf Cake provided by Mary Berry herself. This is a class everyone should be able to do, and what a result when you can eat the entry afterwards! Don’t forget to bring your potatoes along for the potato challenge. This was closely contested last year and a real nail-biter to see who would win this prestigious competition. The tension is already mounting!
Trading Shed
The Trading shed has just recently had a new delivery of stock. All types of compost are available at competitive prices. Come and have a look. Liz usually has some plants for sale and there is always a bargain or two to be had.
Dates for the Diary
Royal Horticultural Society gardens Wisley, Surrey UK. Horse Sculpture
Saturday 6th June – RHS Wisley visit and tour. Contact Gillian Rose at gillianr.999@gmail.com
Saturday 11th July – Summer Show, Church Crookham Community Centre, Boyce Road, GU52 8AR
Saturday 10th October – Quiz night, WI Hall, The Street, Crookham Village GU51 5SJ
There is so much on at the moment I thought I would share some events that may be of interest to you. So, if you would like to look at someone else’s garden for a change or buy a plant or two, here are a few dates for May and June.
30th and 31st May, 2-5pm. Ladybower ngs open garden, 47 Connaught Road, Fleet GU513LR. Tickets can be booked in advance. Details at www.ngs.org.uk/gardens/ladybower
30th and 31st May 1.30pm – 5.30pm – Churt open gardens in aid of Phyllis Tuckwell. Details at www.pth.org.uk/events/open-garden-churt
Saturday 6th June, 1pm-6pm Shamley Green Open gardens GU5 0UA. In aid of Phyllis Tuckwell. Tickets can be purchased in advance. Details at www.pth.org.uk
Sunday 7th June 2-4pm. Phyllis Tuckwell Plant Sale at Knoll Road/The Mount, Fleet, GU514PP (tbc)
Sunday 14th June 2-6pm. The Old Thatch & The Millennium Barn, ngs open garden. Sprats Hatch Lane, RG278DD. Arrival by canal boat is an option. Details at www.old-thatch.co.uk
Saturday 27th June – Fleet Neighbours open gardens 10.30am-2.30pm. Details at www.pth.org.uk/events/fleet-open-garden Fleet GU51 3AY. Tickets can be pre booked.
Walkies at RHS Wisley – various dates April-August. Book in advance.
If you have any local garden related events to promote, please contact me. It would be good to share what’s going on with all our members. Or if you like please send me a photo of your favourite garden flower. I can pop it in the newsletter or on our Facebook page.
Happy Gardening,
Helen Howard (helenmhoward@icloud.com)
Church Crookham and Fleet Garden Society Events
