September 2005 - Contents Women Bishops? Repton, Foremark and Newton Solney Parish Churches Services at St Wystan's, Repton Services at St Saviour's, Foremark Services at St Mary's, Newton Solney Readers and Intercessors at St. Wystan's Altar Flowers at St Wystan's Brasses at St Wystan's Altar Flowers at St Saviour's United Reformed Church Services at the United Reformed Church Harvest Festival Services, Sunday 25th September Coffee Morning, Saturday 10th September, 10.30 - 11.30 am Shell Baptisms, Marriages, Funerals and Burial of Ashes Baptism and Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child Emily Abigail Gibbs Katriona and Daniella Redhead Maximillian Anthony Wildgoose Marriages Benjamin Paul Stilwell and Rachel Garner Anthony Philip Hall and Julie Anne Leach Daniel Peter Hussey and Elizabeth Frances Parker John Samuel Phillips and Nicola Carter James Henry Williamson and Bridget Anne Smeaton Stewart Paul and Helen Anne (nee Fontana) Crawford Oliver James Marsden and Elizabeth (Beth) Andrea Price Ryan James Mawbey and Ami Joanna Talbot Funerals and Burial of Ashes Gwen Hammersley Winifred May Palmer Muriel May Wood (nee Palmer) Enid Rose Grantham St Wystan's News St Wystan's Harvest Festival Turkish Delight VJ Parade and Thanksgiving Service Mothers' Union ARRC: 'A Sojourn in Sunny Siberia' St Mary's News Harvest Festival at St Mary's Saints Alive in Newton Solney Newton Solney Church Roof Appeal The Singing Vicar Newton Solney Show, Saturday 3rd September Repton Village Show, Saturday 3rd September Repton School Concerts Society, Tuesday 13th September Friends of St Wystan's School Jumble Sale, Saturday 24th September Conservatives Sausage, Mash & Bingo, Thursday 29th September MacMillan Coffee Morning, Friday 30th September MacMillan Coffee Morning, Friday 30th September NSPCC Gardening Talk, Friday 30th September Sing Schubert's Mass in Eb, Saturday 1st October St Mary's Harvest Lunch, Sunday 9th October Charities Recycle for Action Aid Repton Village and History Repton Casuals Football Club Refuse Collection 'Pampered Chef', Friday 23rd September Scottish Country Dancing Rainbows Autumn Fayre, Thursday 6th October Repton Council Jottings Repton W.I. Repton Village History Group Repton Village Society Repton, 'Popular Shortcut' Newton Solney Village Matters Newton Solney W.I. Gardening Notes

Women Bishops?

At its last meeting, the General Synod of the Church of England voted to begin the process to decide whether women should be allowed to become bishops.

Opposition comes principally from two sources. Some believe that the tradition of male priests and bishops should remain because it was established in the Early Church. There are also those who believe that the headship of the church is a male preserve because that is what was taught by Paul and practised by New Testament churches.

Others see the issue differently.

1. The situation for Jesus and the New Testament churches was very different from our own. The Apostles were male because they had a representative role as leaders of the New Israel. Since the leaders of the twelve tribes of the Old Israel were all male, Jesus had little choice but to choose twelve men to succeed them. Otherwise, Jesus had an enlightened and revolutionary view of women.



2. Should leadership in the Church represent Jesus or God? If God, then he can only be fully represented by a leadership which itself reflects the fullness of humanity, male and female together. The New Testament bears witness to female house-church leaders, even if they were not made presbyters.



3. The 'tradition' which Paul received, and which he in turn handed on, related to three things: faith in the saving death of Jesus and his rising to the resurrection life; the practice of a Christian life-style in which love had pre-eminence; 'the breaking of bread' - the sacramental meal which Christ gave his followers, that he might be made present to them in bread and wine. The way we do these things differs from one culture to another. First century culture was male dominated, ours is not. We can and should do things differently.



4. The Church of the New Testament was led by the Spirit to accept Gentiles as full members because the Spirit had been given to them. To good Jews such as St Peter, this was a radical departure from the tradition and practice they had inherited, as radical as eating forbidden foods. They had to break with the tradition they knew in order to be faithful to the Spirit. Even Gamaliel, a Jewish member of the Pharisees, recognised that the Temple authorities should not persecute Peter and John in case the apostles were indeed inspired by God.

The best reason for ordaining women to the priesthood is that God through his Spirit seems to be calling them. If we resist that call, we could end up working against God. The same is true of their ordination to the episcopacy.

The New Testament Church accepted slavery as part of God's will, yet under the Gospel principles and in a different cultural climate slavery is seen to be unchristian. The same may be true of exclusively male church leadership.

May the Holy Spirit keep us ever open to new expressions of the one true faith.

Services at Foremark, Newton Solney
and Repton Churches

St. Wystan's, Repton

St Saviour's, Foremark

St Mary's, Newton Solney

Readers and Intercessors at St. Wystan's

Altar Flowers

Brasses

Altar Flowers and Cleaning Rota at St Saviour's

The United Reformed Church

Harvest Festival Services, Sunday 25th September

Give thanks for the harvest by sharing in these services.

We will be decorating the church on the evening of Friday 23rd September at 7.00 pm; help and provision of flowers and greenery would be appreciated.

At 11.00 am the children and young people will be bringing their harvest baskets and taking part in a family service, and at 6.30 pm there will be a service of praise.

This year the harvest has a difference - come and see what it is!

Coffee Morning, Saturday 10th September, 10.30 -11.30 am at Fisher Close

While we await the repairs to the schoolroom, our Coffee Mornings will be held in the Community Lounge at Fisher Close, with all the usual delights - coffee and biscuits, home-made cakes and marmalade, the Webb Ivory stall, and the children's game. Don't miss it - and tell your friends about the new venue!

Shell Group (age 7+)

... meets on Mondays from 6.30 pm, beginning on 12th September. New members are always welcome.

Baptism and Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child

Emily Abigail, the daughter of Julia and Tim Gibbs, of Wollaton, Nottingham, was baptised at the United Reformed Church on Sunday 31st July.

Peter and Caroline Redhead brought Katriona and Daniella to St Wystan's on Sunday 31st July for a service of thanksgiving for their birth and a naming ceremony.

Paul and Julie Wildgoose brought Maximillian Anthony to St Wystan's on Sunday 14th August for a service of thanksgiving for his birth and a naming ceremony.

Marriages

Benjamin Paul Stilwell and Rachel Garner were married at St Saviour's Church, Foremark, on Saturday 23rd July.

Anthony Philip Hall and Julie Anne Leach were married at St Wystan's Church, Repton, on Saturday 23rd July.

Daniel Peter Hussey and Elizabeth Frances Parker were married at St Wystan's Church, Repton, on Monday 25th July.

John Samuel Phillips and Nicola Carter were married at St Wystan's Church, Repton, on Saturday 30th July.

James Henry Williamson and Bridget Anne Smeaton were married at St Wystan's Church, Repton, on Saturday 30th July.

The marriage of Stewart Paul and Helen Anne (nee Fontana) Crawford in Antigua was blessed at St Mary's Church, Newton Solney, on Saturday 6th August.

Oliver James Marsden and Elizabeth (Beth) Andrea Price were married at St Wystan's Church, Repton, on Friday 12th August.

Ryan James Mawbey and Ami Joanna Talbot were married at St Wystan's Church, Repton, on Saturday 13th August.

Funerals and Burial of Ashes

Gwen Hammersley, formerly of Newton Close, Newton Solney, died on Sunday 26th June aged 83. Her funeral was held at Bretby Crematorium on Monday, 11th July.

The ashes of Winifred May Palmer of 26 Ivy Close, Willington, who died on Saturday 27th November 2004, were buried in St Wystan's Churchyard on Saturday 23rd July.

Muriel May Wood (nee Palmer) of Old Lodge Nursing Home, Sandpits Lane, Etwall, died on Sunday 31st July aged 89. A funeral and thanksgiving service was held at St Wystan's Church on 10th August, followed by burial at Monsom Lane cemetery, Repton.

Enid Rose Grantham of The Old Stables, Bladon Paddocks, Newton Road, Newton Solney, died on Thursday 4th August aged 58. Her funeral at St Mary's Church on 12th August was followed by cremation at Bretby Crematorium. Her ashes were interred in St Mary's churchyard on Friday 19th August.

St Wystan's News

St Wystan's Harvest Festival

St Wystan's Harvest Festival service is on Sunday 18th September at 10 am, and takes the form of a Family Service. Children, as always, are particularly welcome. They - and you - are invited to bring boxes of produce, which on Monday morning will be distributed to elderly and housebound people in the village. Some will also be taken to the Padley Centre in Derby.

The Harvest Supper is on Saturday 17th September in Repton Village Hall at the earlier time of 7.15 pm. This year we will be having a short musical entrée given by The Mercian Minstrels. Everyone is welcome. As usual the meal is 'Bring and Share', so if you are coming, please put your name on the list at the back of the church, saying what you will be bringing.

Turkish Delight

Following his visit there earlier this year, Rev'd Peter Paine will give an illustrated talk on Turkey on Saturday 8th October at 7.30 pm in Repton Village Hall. The talk will be preceded by a 'Hot Supper' (bring your own drink). Tickets at £5 can be obtained from Jan Gilham, 703340, Karen Perks, 702392, or Jan Roberts, 702159.

VJ Parade and Thanksgiving Service

On Sunday 14th August, a Parade and Thanksgiving Service took place at St Wystan's Church to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of VJ Day, peace in the Far East and the end of the Second World War. Together with the earlier celebrations for VE Day, this has provided a heartfelt tribute to all who took part in the 1939 - 1945 war and subsequent conflicts.

The Repton Branch of the Royal British Legion would like to thank all who took part, and in particular the Rev'd Peter Paine and Father Martin Sylvester, who took the service, the Churchwardens and sidesmen for their organisation, and the RBL Club, who generously provided an excellent buffet afterwards. The collection taken at the service raised £126 for the RBL Poppy Appeal.

Mothers' Union

At our meeting on 21st September, Miss Jennifer Haynes will tell us about her job as a churchwarden in a small parish .

If you contribute to 'Home and Family', please note that it has to be paid for at that meeting - £6.00 for the year.

ARRC: 'A Sojourn in Sunny Siberia'

Glenda and Norman Brewin's jam and preserves sales are a regular feature at St Wystan's and various village events. All the money they raise goes to fund the work of ARRC (Aid to Russia and the Republics).

We have just spent 3 exciting weeks in Siberia at the invitation of Nina Dzemeshkevitch, one of our Project Partners in ARRC, who offered to "arrange everything", and was as good as her word.

Flying five hours east from Moscow, over the Urals and on into Asian Russia, we crossed miles of silver birch and pine forests, the taiga. At Irkutsk, where Nina is the director of the Hope and Life Foundation, we were soon whisked away to our 'home' for the next 3 weeks, Sassha's bachelor pad in a grim suburban apartment block - through a heavy metal door and up 45 dirty concrete stairs to the third floor - no lift! A bunch of enormous keys let us through yet another metal and two wooden doors into a comfortable 3-roomed flat. Sassha, a young man from Nina's church, an ex-military musician, now unemployed like many others, said that our visit was 'a Godsend', as our modest rent of 500 roubles (£10) a night would help to pay for his father's operation. He introduced us at the corner shop where we were warmly welcomed, and with a few basic words, smiles and a pointing finger, we managed admirably.

Nina introduced us to the excellent public transport system - 10p to ride anywhere by tram, bus or trolleybus, 16p for any of the numerous minibuses. Irkutsk, once known as 'the Paris of Siberia' was founded as a military outpost in 1652. We were delighted by the beautiful architecture of 150 year-old larch-log houses with their intricate carvings, as well as magnificent 19th century buildings housing the opera, theatres, banks, museums, and even the main offices. Irkutsk railway station is a 'palace' in itself - marble, crystal chandeliers and comfortable leather sofas. We took a day trip on an old track of the famous Trans-Siberian railway around the southern tip of Lake Baikal, a section containing 42 tunnels cut through rock. We visited museums, galleries and craft centres selling an impressive array of hand-worked birch-bark products. Beautiful Orthodox churches had been lovingly restored since 'Perestroika'; one had been used as a planetarium in Soviet times, others for warehouses and storage. Icons have been reinstated; we were particularly interested to see some of the last Tsar and his family, now 'sainted'. The colourful markets were a delight with amazing displays of mouthwatering cakes and confectionery. As well as the static stalls, peasants from outlying villages crouched on stools behind crates of salad stuffs, blueberries and strawberries, mushrooms etc. For 50p I bought fresh lettuce, tomatoes, radish, cucumber and spring onions. A variety of ice cream flavours started at 8p! Bookshops were well stocked, clothing and furnishing stores and pharmacies abounded!

We spent some time on the island of Olkhon in Lake Baikal 'for a rest'. The lake, known as 'the Blue Eye of Siberia', is the world's deepest, over 5000 feet, with roughly 20% of the world's freshwater supplies. It is 400 miles long, 20 - 40 miles wide, and the water is incredibly clear and blue. Fringed by mountains, the scenery is spectacular; there are freshwater seals, and I have never seen so many wild flowers. Temperatures in the mid 30s made our stay idyllic, and I even managed a paddle, which, according to legend, should prolong my life by five years. Life on Olkhon was delightfully primitive - there had been no electricity on the island for 13 years, nor was there any running water in our billet. A necessary facility was located at the end of the garden next to the hen house, an early morning visit being greeted by the cockerel!

Back in the city we visited several projects aided by ARRC: a school for the mentally retarded; a Christian gypsy settlement where a well had been dug; a school for children with cerebral palsy. It was holiday time but twenty of the orphan children were in residence, together with their dedicated headmaster. We were able to distribute pens, pencils and jumpers on the spot, and we left funds for Nina to buy the children specially fitted boots in time for their new school year.

All too soon it was time for home, but our visit fired us with enthusiasm to continue working to raise much-needed funds. Please help us!

St Mary's News

Harvest Festival at St Mary's

The harvest will be celebrated by Newton Solney School on Friday 30th September and by St Mary's congregation at the 10.00 am All-age Service on Sunday 2nd October. Contributions of produce, flowers and foliage will be welcomed on the Friday and Saturday mornings, 30th September and 1st October, as will help with decorating the church on those days. Gifts of fresh produce, dry goods and toiletries will be delivered during the following week to the Padley Centre and to the Derby City Mission.

Saints Alive in Newton Solney

If you would like to explore the basic beliefs of the Christian faith, or have been worshipping regularly and wish to have a 'refresher', then 'Saints Alive' is for you. There will be a preliminary meeting to introduce the course and discuss dates on Thursday 22nd September at 7.30 pm in Newton Solney parish church. All ages 18+ are welcome, from any of the parishes in our benefice or beyond.

Newton Solney Church Roof Appeal

On 11th August, 21 months to the day after the November launch of this appeal, anyone passing the 'thermometer' at the end of Church Lane in Newton Solney might have observed that the gauge had risen from £85,000 to £120,000 - just one fifth short of the target! This dramatic rise reflects a decision to register in future, not only money already banked, but also grants which are promised for when the final stage of restoration begins.

Contributions towards the remaining £30,000 are anticipated from various sources, collecting boxes, Christmas card sales and the tribute to Glen Miller in Pears School on 22nd October, for which tickets should soon be available. Any other donations will of course be extremely welcome; Gift Aid forms are available at the back of St Mary's Church or from Jennifer Haynes, 703827.

The Singing Vicar

Many of you will be interested to know that the 'Singing Vicar', the Rev'd Tony Luke, will be appearing on television in September in the X-Factor, having been chosen from 7,000 contestants. So watch out for his performance and give him your vote. He and his friends will be entertaining us in St Mary's Church on Friday 4th November at 7.30 pm. Tickets at £7.00 (to include refreshments) are available from Linda Williams, 701366, and Hazel Ward, 701244.

Recycle Printer Cartridges

If you just drop old printer cartridges in the dustbin, at home or at work, why not recycle them for charity? Please drop them off at The Post Office or to me at 24 Brook End. Action Aid will benefit from our efforts. Carol Hickebottom

Repton Village & History

Repton Casuals Football Club

A reminder that Ball Skills sessions re-commence on Saturday 10th September at 10.00 am. Newcomers are welcome from the age of five. For further information, contact Bob Errington, 701183.

Refuse Collection

Saturday 17th September, 7.30 - 11.30 am, Village Hall car park.

Once again, Repton Parish Council has arranged for the Civic Amenity Refuse vehicle to visit Repton to collect unwanted rubbish. This is an opportunity to dispose of garden rubbish or household items. Last year, 96 tonnes of household waste was collected from parishes around the district.

Some items can not be accepted. These include:

Metal items, builders rubbish, bathroom fixtures, fridges, freezers, cookers, washing machines, dryers, wardrobes, beds, 3 piece suites, car parts, kitchen units (unless dismantled), asbestos, gas heaters and bottles, paint, inflammable substances, televisions & fluorescent tubes.

These items can be taken away by South Derbyshire District Council at a quoted cost. Telephone 01283 595758 for more details.

'Pampered Chef'

Repton Joint Organisation of Guides and Scouts looks after The Den (in Mitre Drive) for all the Uniformed Groups, along with Repton Pre-school and villagers who use it for private events. It is also let out to visiting groups during the holidays. As with any other building, its upkeep is expensive and regular maintenance is essential. It is a valuable asset to our village.

On Friday 23rd September we are holding a 'Pampered Chef' Cookery Demonstration at the Den, and we would like to invite you to support us and join in the fun. There will be a raffle, and commission from all sales will go to JOGS funds. Cooking will start at 7.30 pm; tasting will be positively encouraged! There is no admission charge. For further details, please phone Carol (Rainbows Leader) on 703991.

Scottish Country Dancing

A small but enthusiastic group meet in Repton Village Hall on the last Monday of each month to enjoy the better known Scottish Reels. We start again after the summer on 26th September at 7.15 pm.

No experience required. All you need is a light (soft) pair of shoes and a sense of humour! There is a small charge of £1.50 to cover the cost of the Village Hall.

Do come and join us. It's good exercise, both mental and physical, and above all it's good fun.

Rainbows Autumn Fayre

First Repton Rainbows are holding an Autumn Fayre on Thursday 6th October at The Den, Mitre Drive from 5 - 6.30 pm. There will be games, tombola and a raffle, along with stalls to help you 'shop early for Christmas'. All proceeds will go to Repton Rainbow Funds. Admission is free and refreshments will be available. Come and meet up with friends and have a chat! For further information, please contact Carol (Rainbow Leader) on 703991. Raffle or tombola prizes gratefully accepted at any time.

Repton Council Jottings

• On 8th August an audience of about 30 heard Helena Stubbs of Derbyshire Rural Community Council give an informative presentation on the subject of Parish Plans. She explained that an extensive consultation process is used to identify the community's needs. A concise action plan is then developed to prioritise the issues raised, and this can help to influence decision makers. It would be fair to say that not everyone is convinced of the benefits of Parish Plans, but about a dozen people have indicated their willingness to attend another meeting to consider the formation of a steering committee. To see an existing Parish Plan for a nearby village visit www.rolleston.org.uk/parishc/ parishplan/parishplan.htm



• As a further step along the road to becoming a Quality Council and improving communications with the electorate, it is planned to hold a 'surgery' for villagers every two or three months. The first will be on Wednesday 28th September, 6.00 - 6.30 pm in the Parish Office at the Dales, Askew Grove, when a couple of members of the parish council will be available. This is a chance to have a one-to-one discussion with a parish councillor on any local issue that concerns you. If there's a subject you'd like to air, or perhaps something the parish council can help you with, call in for a chat on the 28th.



• Contact details for all members of Repton Parish Council are:

  David Roberts (Chairman), 37 High Street, 702159, drob8443@aol.com

  John Shortt (Vice Chairman), 50 Main Street, 702702, john@shortt2.fsnet.co.uk

  John Bladen, 27 High Street, 701189, bladenwil@aol.com

  Richard Bugg, 28 Main Street, 701930, rbugg@gpanet.co.uk

  Peter Court, 41 Askew Grove, 702599, pscenergy@aol.com

  Shelagh Evans, 51 High Street. (Other details withheld)

  Chris Jerram, 52 Burton Road, 704546, chrisj@grm-uk.com

  Barbara McArdle, 7 Meadow Close, 701301, barbara.mcardle@btinternet.com

  Roger Paulson, 63 Main Street, 794034, rogerp@gpamail.co.uk

  Avril Skipper, 31 Main St, Milton, 702895.

  Roger Wetton, 52 Pinfold Close, 703426, rww@forestace.freeserve.co.uk

  Celia Bunston (Council Clerk), 4 Slade Farm, Ticknall, 701309 or 01332865226

  reptonpc@bunston.fsbusiness.co.uk

The next meeting of the Parish Council is on 12th September at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

Repton W.I.

The sun shone for the August Garden Meeting when members enjoyed tea and cake in a garden which many had not seen before. Next meeting: Tuesday 13th September at 7.15 pm in the Village Hall, when the speaker will be Elizabeth Spencer from Pickford's House in Derby. Her illustrated talk is entitled 'Washday Blues', and is guaranteed to make us glad that we are not still struggling with dolly tubs and mangles.

The September Soup and Sweet Supper is on Tuesday 20th, Fisher Close Community Room.

Repton Village History Group

Our July meeting was a guided walk round our neighbouring village of Findern. We were shown the sights of this historic village, told about its history, its famous residents, and shown many old buildings including the Parish Rooms, which are currently being completely refurbished. We ended at the Church, where we were given a short talk on its history. The Guides were excellent; we are grateful to them for their hard work.

Our next meeting on Tuesday 20th September (7.30 pm in the Village Hall, visitors welcome) will be a talk by Maureen Newton, 'A Backward Glance at Childhood Games'. She will bring to life all those games you may or may not remember. There may even be some audience participation!

We are grateful to Philip Heath, the Heritage Officer of South Derbyshire District Council, who has discovered a map of Repton dated 1762 produced by Samuel Wyatt for the Calke Estate. It shows every building at that time as well as the field names. Philip has photographed this map and passed it to us on CD.

If anyone has any photographs or memories about the Village School, we are keen to see them, as our meeting on 18th October will be devoted to log books, documents and pictures about the school. Please contact either Alan Kimber (704042) with photographs or David Guest (703650) with documents. Alternatively please bring the items to our September or October meetings.

Repton Village Society

The wine tasting on Thursday 1st September already has a waiting list!

On Thursday 6th October, Mary Smedley will be telling us about the Derwent World Heritage Site that runs from Belper down to Derby. Mary runs the Visitor Centre at Belper and has been one of the guides on our trips to Belper. She has a wealth of knowledge of the area and her talk promises to be both interesting and amusing.

Both these meetings are at 7.30 pm in Repton Village Hall.

'Repton - Popular Shortcut'

Is a new sign needed for the road entrances into our village? Should we forget 'Repton - Historic Capital of Mercia', and in its place put another slogan more suited to this age?

A recent item in the Burton Mail was headed 'Chaos Prediction on Village Road' with the sub-heading 'Resurfacing Works on Popular Shortcut.' A photograph of the Cross (wrongly described as 'the war memorial island') had the caption: 'AVOID ... Motorists are advised to stay away.'

Well, the motorists did stay away, and those few days whilst the roads around the Cross were closed were the most peaceful the residents of the High Street have known for many years! It was like turning the clock back several decades. When did you last see a man pushing his wheelbarrow down the middle of a deserted road? There were no streams of cars, vans and lorries tailing back down the street. There were not many commuters, except those who were lost, and no police cars and ambulances with their sirens blaring! Repton residents know their own back-roads to Burton or Derby.

Unfortunately, this olde worlde tranquillity was all too brief, and soon the heavy traffic was back in force, cutting its way through this 'popular shortcut' to the A38 and A50.

A good job done by the Highways Department - in the summer when it is quietest - but wasn't it a pity that they didn't spend some of our £89,000 on the area around the War Memorial?

Newton Solney Village Matters

Newton Solney W.I.

During the first half of 2005 we have had a varied programme of speakers, ranging from 'We made an Antique Shop' to the scary and amusing 'Confessions of a Driving Instructor'.

Members have made monthly visits to Burton College to lunch at their Mulberry Rooms, and we have entertained members of a Cutthorpe Club for afternoon tea after their visit into Derbyshire.

Our quiz team were runners up in the local heat of the county quiz, and members had a theatre visit to enjoy South Pacific, with other visits planned. In July, a coffee morning was held in lovely summer weather at Joan Buchanan's house, with a plant sale, cake stall, raffle and tombola. This was a W.I. fundraiser towards improvement work at our Village Hall.

In August there is no meeting, so a visit has been arranged to the newly opened Lavender Farm at Hilton, where a wide range of lavender products can be purchased and cream teas enjoyed.

We look forward to the remaining programme for 2005, and would welcome any new members or visitors to our functions and meetings, held on the second Tuesday of each month at 7.30 in the Village Hall.

Gardening Notes

There is no respite in the gardening calendar. As you complete the harvest, there are tender plants in containers to move indoors or under cover, and other tender plants to protect outside. Seed can be collected and many varieties of cuttings taken; hardy annuals such as marigold, cornflower and nigella can be sown directly outside to flower earlier next summer.

Most cuttings are best put immediately in a plastic bag to retain moisture until they can be potted, but pelargoniums should be left for an hour or two to dry before potting. Don't use a compost that is too rich; a blend of multipurpose compost and equal amounts of sharp sand or grit will encourage rooting. Putting cuttings in too large a pot and not firming them in adequately are often causes of failure. Cuttings taken now benefit from the extra warmth of late summer; and a propagator is not necessary, although under-soil heating and mist propagation will accelerate the formation of roots and increase the success rate. Pelargoniums, pinks, lavenders and plants with silver foliage all dislike humid conditions and should not be covered with plastic bags or put in propagators.

Keep seed from annuals, biennials and perennials in paper bags in the bottom of the refrigerator until needed. This maintains viability. Recent research has shown that plants from home-grown seed are likely to be more variable than those from commercially grown seed isolated from the risk of cross-pollination. Seed from F1 hybrids will also be variable. F1 seed is collected from cross-pollinating two plants with very similar characteristics and both known to breed true, but the next generation may show signs of earlier forbears. September is a time for taking stock in the border - deciding what to acquire or replace and what needs moving. Early flowering perennials, hostas and hellebores can be divided now, but later flowering varieties may be best left until spring. Paeonies may occasionally need moving because they are obviously failing or are now in the shade; September is the best time to do this. When you move bergenias or heucheras, the rootless bits that fall off can be replanted firmly, and most will root. Evergreen conifers, grey-leaved plants and anything slightly tender are best left until spring, as are all perennials in cold areas.

Keep camellias well watered or next year's flowers may not develop. Pick off rose leaves with black spot, rust or powdery mildew to prevent recurrence next year; otherwise, the fungal spores will live on in the soil and re-infect the plants.

To trap winter moths, fit grease bands around fruit trees about 3 feet from the ground. Clear windfalls to prevent the spread of disease.

Sow winter lettuce under glass. Alternative autumn and winter salads can be sown now in the open, but it may be more satisfactory to start them in the greenhouse and plant out later. Lamb's lettuce (or corn salad) may be worth trying. It should mature in 6 - 12 weeks, and can be used as a 'cut and come again' crop. Claytonia (also known as miner's lettuce or winter purslane) takes about 12 weeks to reach maturity and may need frost protection.

September is a time to sow new lawns. Grass needs good light to flourish, and a different seed mix will be needed for shady areas, usually containing fescues. Otherwise, try an alternative ground cover or decorative mulch.

I have recently found the dreaded bright red lily beetle on one of my lily plants. It has only recently arrived in the Midlands. The best thing seems to be to put a cloth under the plant, as the beetles fall off as you approach to squash them. A systemic insecticide spray will deal with the larvae, but the beetles must be squashed individually.