As summer draws to a close it is nearly time for our very own fruit show which will be held on Saturday 7th September in the Sunley Room of the Bramall Learning Centre, Harlow Carr. Entries are restricted to members of NFG and the RHS. So why not have a look around your ripening fruit and see what you might like to put on display? Full details of all the different classes, plus useful information about showing fruit, were enclosed with the July newsletter.
There are novice classes especially for those new to showing and anyone may enter the open classes. There are prize cards and money for 1st , 2nd and 3rd places and a special prize for the exhibitor with the most points in the novice classes and the most points overall in the show. Don’t worry if you are not sure how to stage your fruit, there will be other more experienced members there who will be more than willing to help you.
Remember, nothing ventured – nothing gained, it could be you walking off with the prize money. So go on have a go, it would be good to fill the tables and demonstrate how well fruit can be grown in the North.
Setting up takes place in the morning then the show will be open to the public from 2.30 pm until 4.00 pm. Presentation of the prizes will be at 3.30 pm. At the request of Harlow Carr, to allow the public to view the show, exhibits should not be removed until after 4.00 pm.

It is July so that means it is time for the Great Yorkshire Show, followed a week later by RHS Tatton show. We will be at both shows with our display of soft fruit so why not come along and say hello. The Great Yorkshire Show is this week from Tuesday 9th to Thursday 11th July. You will find us in the floral marquee just to your right as you enter through the main gate.

Mount Grace Priory are holding a garden event Saturday Sunday 22 and 23 June. The N.F.G. will have a stand next to the old orchard inside the priory grounds, between 11am and 3pm both days to answer questions about fruit growing. Why not have a nice day out in beautiful suroundings and come and see us.

On Sunday 19 May we will be holding an open day at our Dewhurst Rd. teaching garden in Huddersfield. Come along between 11am and 3pm to see what we are doing and admire the blossom. Refreshments and produce will be available.

How to find us:

Dewhurst Road runs between Bradford Road (A641) and Woodhouse Hill. The entrance to the allotments is on the back street behind the garages near the Woodhouse Hill end, post code HD2 1BW. There is limited parking on site. 
Buses run along the B641 (X63/363) and Woodhouse Hill (328). All leave from the bus stops in George Square outside the rail station. Get off before the bus starts climbing the hill and walk along Dewhurst Road to the garages.

The next members’ meeting will be held on Saturday May 11, at 1.00pm, in the Jubilee Room in the Learning Centre at Harlow Carr. This meeting will feature a very informal “Fruit Growers Question Time”; please come armed with your questions, queries and observations. Remember you will need to show your membership card to get free entry to the gardens

 

We will be carrying out restoration pruning on the apple trees at the Great Yorkshire Showground on Thursday 14th March. All members are welcome but contact Margaret Drury in advance so she knows how many to expect, contact details in your last newsletter.
You will need a packed lunch and hot drink as there will be no facilities open on site and good boots and tough gloves are advisable.
If you have loppers, pruning saws and secateurs please bring them along but some equipment will be available for those without their own.

Our next meeting is the annual scion exchange (otherwise known as the stick swap) this Saturday, February 9^th at 1pm. Full details and directions are in your January newsletter.  Please bring along any spare scions (clearly labelled!) that you think might be of interest to other members and/or go away with any that take your fancy.  Remember, you don’t have to give to receive, some members have more surplus than others and are happy to see scions go to a good home.  Many of the scions on offer will be from unusual varieties but there is always plenty of helpful advice available.