GARDENING SOCIETY: The April meeting was held in a warm hall, despite cold wet weather outside. The chairman welcomed members and said how successful the outing to Oxford Botanical Gardens had been. The competition, 'A Bowl of Heathers', was won by Mrs Haynes, second Mrs Henn, third Mrs Kerr and fourth Mr Hall. Daphne Everett then gave an excellent talk on the 'Story of Heather'. She lives in a 2.5 acre garden at Brinsty in Herefordshire. Heathers come from a big plant family, which includes the strawberry tree, lily of the valley bush, rhododendrons and azaleas. Heathers require many different growing conditions. Heather in Scotland has been used for many different purposes. It was used for house building both walls and roof held together with heather ropes. The bed mattress was made of heather and heather brooms were a good source of income. Heathers are also made into mats, baskets and chimney brushes. When compacted they can be made into floor tiles and jewellery. Heather makes a good fuel and also can be used as a dye. Heather honey is delicious. Heathers are named after the Greek 'to cleanse'. Heathers became fashionable with heaths from the Cape, where there are 657 varieties, compared to eight in the British Isles. Heaths from Africa are not hardy, but Kew has an excellent collection. Tree heaths can grow up to 20 feet and live for over 100 years. There are natural Heathers in Cornwall, Devon, Scotland and Ireland. Jo Sparkes from Bearley was a famous heather nurseryman and he named many new varieties after his family. Calluna needs an acid soil, as too does Erica tetralix, a good variety is 'con underwood' Erica vagus propagates by underground runners. Some Ericas can be grown on alkaline. The heathers from Ireland have completely different foliage and are thought to have come from Spain. Pollination has to occur by a hole in the side of the flower. She ended with views of her garden and other heather gardens, showing flowers all year round and a real variety of colours. She has made an impressive knot garden using Heathers. The next meeting at the Crawford Hall, 7.30pm for 8pm on May 17 when Linda Farrar will talk on 'Ancient Roman Gardens'. The competition is 'Jam Jar of Herbs'. There is also an outing on May 12 to the Barnsley Village Festival, any visitors are welcome to join us, contact Mrs Kerr on 772296.