Would you like to make your own Christmas Wreath or Table Decoration this year?

Then join us in Capel Parish Hall on Thursday 13 December at 7.30 pm.

All you need to bring is a pair of secateurs, a camera/smart phone would help you remember what to do for future years and if you have greenery from your own garden that you would like to include, bring that along too.  All other components will be provided,

Mince pies, mulled wine or tea/coffee included in the price of £25.00.  Arrive promptly as the evening starts with a demonstration from local professional florist, Vicky Edwards, who will then help you create a stunning Christmas decoration.

There will also be a Christmas themed raffleincluding a delicious Christmas cake to take home and decorate as you wish.

Places are limited, so contact Jane Major as soon as possible.  Tickets must be bought in advance only.  Cheques made out to Capel Horticultural Society.

oldjoinery@gmail.com

The Old Joinery
110 The Street
Capel
RH5 5JY

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Another amazing show brought over 5000 visitors from near and far to Capel Recreation Ground on Saturday 18 August.  The wonderful summer weather produced an increase in the number and types of entries to the classes on display in the Horicultural Society’s Grand Marquee.  Fruit and vegetables were dwarfed by a massive pumpkin that needed four people to carry into the tent!  This year the Society celebrated its 125^thAnniversary and added a few new classes reflecting changing tastes over the years. Beautiful Victorian style blancmanges sat alongside that 1930’s favourite – a Pineapple Upside Down Cake.  This year many more children entered exhibits bringing the total to 715.  The organising Committee are delighted to see young people and their families showing such an interest in growing and creative crafts.  Their involvement should help ensure the longevity of the Capel Show.

Special congratulations go to Chris Coke on winning both the Banksian Medal and the Great Potato Growing Competition and to Mr Attridge for taking home the National Dahlia Society’s Silver and Bronze Medals along with the Broadwood Silver Cup for his selection of vegetables.

Cups, shields and prizes were presented by Robert Snell from The Archers – more commonly recognised to villagers as recently retired local GP, Dr Graham Blockey.   He and his wife joined the Judges, Stewards and Life Members for a celebratory lunch in the Memorial Hall.

Outside the Marquee some 700 classic cars and motorbikes were exhibited.  Ranging from 1912 to 1995 these magnificent vehicles with an approximate value of £5-10million intrigued visitors.  Their highly knowledgeable owners, ever keen to share interesting history and stories, kept people entertained.  19 Autojumble traders were selling everything from books and bike parts to tools and model cars.

Meanwhile the Fun Dog Show brought in the crowds.  Dogs of all shapes and sizes competed in 7 different classes.  Congratulations to Best in Show, Joe Buckingham’s magnificent Blue Staffordshire Bull Terrier, 6 month old Reggie.

Visitors enjoyed all the fun of the afternoon.  The Copthorne Silver Band kept feet tapping.  Pigs and donkeys fascinated small children.  Crafters demonstrated their skills and food and beverage stalls kept everybody going.

As ever Capel Show provided a platform for local groups  and charities to fundraise.  Whilst St John the Baptist Church, Capel was the main benefactor, local Guides, the WI, Capel Cricket Club and many others all had the opportunity to raise money for their individual cause.  A hugely successful event for participants and visitors alike.

Photos courtesy of Kim Rowley and Julia Forsyth

CAPEL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY           SUMMER SHOW AWARDS 2018

Capel Fun Dog Show Results 2018

Class 1, Most Handsome Dog – Joe Buckingham, Reggie, Blue Staffordshire Bull Terrier, 6 months

Class 2, Prettiest Bitch – Emily Ward, Maisy, Papillion. 2 years

Class 3, Best Puppy – Joe Shuttleworth, Tinker, Alsatian, 11 weeks

Class 4, Dog the Judge would like to take home – Carole Clear, Bubbles, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, 5 years

Class 5, Best Rescue Dog – Amy Betteridge, Bessie, Welsh Collie Cross, 5 years

Class 6, Best Trick – Dereck Bull, Ellie, Flat Coated Retriever, 5 years

Class 7, Best in Show – Joe Buckingham, Reggie, Blue Staffordshire Bull Terrier, 6 months

Many thanks to our judges, Claire Challinor and Alice Drawater, from Brelades Veterinary Surgery Dorking..

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We would be grateful if you could spare 5 minutes to give us your feedback on this years’ Capel Show

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You can also scan the QR code below to be taken to the survey:

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Don’t be surprised to see an invasion of scarecrows when passing through Capel between now and mid August.

Capel Show is set to take place from 12 noon on 18^thAugust and the scarecrows want to be sure you don’t forget to come along!  The Horticultural Society celebrates its 125^thAnniversary this year and their Flower Show in the Grand Marquee sits alongside an amazing display of Classic Cars.  In addition a traditional village fete and Fun Dog Show and so much more provide a great afternoon’s entertainment.  Beat the queue and buy tickets in advance www.capelboxoffice.co.uk £5 per adult children under 12 free.

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Congratulations to this year’s Allotment Competition Winners

Judged Best Recreation Ground Allotment:     Alf Shepherd

Runner up:                                                        Martin Earp

Judged Best Temple Lane Allotment:     Terry Ward

Runner up:                                               Viv Taylor

This year, because the general state of the two allotments sites has vastly improved, Dave Goodall, our allotments judge, suggested we present ‘runner up certificates’ at both the Capel Rec site and Temple Lane.

The Society has been delighted to be able to do this in recognition of all the effort that has been put into cultivating what is ultimately pretty heavy clay soil in need of constant attention most of the year round.

Judging is based on general cleanliness and cropping of the allotment.

Despite the lack of rainfall most of the crops growing were in good condition and the ground was relatively weed free.

1st prize Capel Recreation Ground allotments

1st Prize at Temple Lane allotments

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Whoops!  We’ve had several enquiries about the Robot Model Class and inadvertently forgot to add the appropriate detail – sorry.  Please click here for all the info you need.

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Garden work for July 2018

Flower garden

It will soon be mid-summer and many of the earlier flowering perennials start to look rather forlorn. It may be worth your while to be ruthless and cut back foliage that is straggling. In particular, hardy geraniums, delphiniums alchemia mollis (Lady’s Mantle) should all benefit from this treatment.

Stake sunflowers and autumn perennials like Michelmas daisies to help them through the time when the wind will blow. Remember to keep your mower blade raised in dry spells, allow the grass to grow to 3cm. Shade and ventilate the greenhouse.

When roses have come to the end of their first glorious flush of blooms, try to give them a feed of a complete fertilizer as this will help with the second lot of blooms. Don’t forget to dead head them as well. Outdoor chrysanthemums will also need a feed, one with a high potash content to help the flowering process.

Early in the month dig up and divide dwarf and intermediate bearded irises if they have been undisturbed for 3 or more years. Tall bearded irises should be treated in a similar way towards the end of the month.

When roses have come to the end of their first glorious flush of blooms, try to give them a feed of a complete fertilizer as this will help with the second lot of blooms. Don’t forget to dead head them as well. Outdoor chrysanthemums will also need a feed, one with a high potash content to help the flowering process.

Vegetables

July is a good time to be buying new strawberry plants, or propagate from your own runners. You should aim to replace all the strawberry plants that are 3 years or over. Remember to remove runners that are not needed.

Plant out sprouting broccoli, calabrese, winter cauliflower, kale and Oriental greens. Place bricks or tiles under developing marrows and squashes as it helps to prevent rotting and will aid ripening.

Early crops of new potatoes, early peas and broad beans will soon be finishing, make sure to clear away the top growth as soon as possible to make room for catch crops such as the round carrots and beetroot.

Complete leek planting as soon as possible. Sow swede by the middle of the month. Lift shallots when their foliage has yellowed and turned over. Make sure to dry them out completely before storing.

Tomatoes should be stopped after 5 trusses have set. If the bottom leaves start to turn yellow it is better to remove them and let the trusses develop in the sunshine. Keep an eye out for any sign of mildew and spray appropriately. The same goes for potatoes. If there is a bad attack towards the end of the month and it is too early to harvest it is better to remove the haulm and burn it safely, or take it to be re-cycled.

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Garden work for June 2018

Flower garden

June is the month when weeds go rampant, so a bit of time spent with a hoe will pay handsome dividends, even if the back does ache afterwards! Make sure ties on climbing roses or other plants growing on walls, arches, and such like are secure. There may be storms in July and if the plants are torn away from their supports it will mean a lot of time tying them up again.

Hedges need regular attention now, and should be kept in shape, otherwise they can so easily get away from you making the task so much more difficult. Grass needs to be mown, but keep the cutter bar on a high level and the lawn will look greener for much longer. Do not put sprinklers on lawns, even if they do turn a dusty brown, as soon as the rain comes back they will recover with surprising speed. If you do water the lawn you are wasting a precious resource to no real effect.

Roses are at their best towards the end of the month. It helps to keep them cut regularly and feed with a potash feed to keep them blooming longer. If you want to have specimen blooms it is advised to take out the side shoots carefully, as well as the smaller buds, leaving just one strong one at the end of the stem. Keep an eye out for pests and disease. Keep mildew at bay by regular spraying.

As alpine plants finish flowering, trim them back to keep the plants neat and compact. It will also encourage them to make good growth for next spring. Any gaps or vacant spots in the rock garden can be planted with summer flowering annuals or bedding plants to maintain the overall colour. Towards the end of the month cuttings can be taken from the alpine stock to increase the number of plants. Root the cuttings in a sandy compost.

Vegetables

If you are growing tomatoes in the greenhouse plant some Tagetes minuta which is more potent that either the French or African marigold in keeping whitefly and nematode populations to manageable proportions. They also work wonders in the garden when planted as border plants near dahlias and so on.

In the vegetable plot, make sure potatoes are kept ridged up, otherwise the tubers get exposed and ruined. Late Savoy cabbage can be sown now – use a variety like ‘Ormskirk’. Winter cabbage like January King should be planted out now. Leeks should be planted out using a dibber to make a hole about 6 to 8” deep, and then water it in well. Continue to make successional sowings of lettuce. Ones like ‘Tom Thumb’ ‘Little Gem’ and ‘Mini Green’ are fast growing, and the right size for many people. Webbs Wonderful is superb but rather large.

Frost susceptible, fast growing plants like courgettes and so on should be put into their final homes assuming that there is no ground frost forecast. If it has been very dry, make sure that they have a good drink before and after planting them out. But don’t water them all the time. Give the roots time to settle down and then water (if necessary, and allowed) about once a week with a thorough soaking, preferably in the evening or early morning before the sun has got its full power switch on

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