The Society has organised a great summer outing to West Dean Gardens near Chichester. Space will be limited so should you wish to come along please download the Booking Form, complete and return as directed with full payment to ensure your place on what should be a terrific day out”

WEST DEAN GARDENS

West Dean Gardens nestles in the South Downs National Park near Chichester in West Sussex offering a great day out for the casual, amateur or professional gardener.

With stunning views, architectural delights, exquisite planting schemes, collections of rare, unusual and classic fruit, vegetables and herbs – there is something for everybody.

Kitchen Gardens and Glasshouses

People looking for inspiration on how to grow vegetables should look no further than the restored Kitchen Gardens and 13 Victorian Glasshouses. The atmosphere is Victorian but the ethos is modern and innovative.

Edwardian Pergola designed by Harold Peto

An opulent Edwardian 300-foot long pergola designed by Harold Peto, draped in roses, clematis and honeysuckle, has been extensively restored following the 1987 storm. The Pergola can be viewed from a wide range of angles, and also offers a wonderful position from which to enjoy the stunning views of the 19^th Century flint house (now West Dean College) and beyond to the surrounding parkland.

Spring Gardens and Wild Garden

Going past the College to the most Westerly point of the Gardens you will find the tranquil beauty of the Spring Garden bisected by the River Lavant and featuring rustic summerhouses, fibreglass surrealist trees and flint and Bognor rock bridges. Wend your way through these Gardens and be knocked out by the flowers and foliage of the Wild Garden beyond.

Parkland and Arboretum walk

For the more active, enjoy a circular 2 ½ mile walk through the 49-acre St Roche’s arboretum with its varied collection of trees and shrubs, and breath-taking views of the South Downs.

The Gardens Restaurant offers a delicious range of homemade meals, light snacks, cakes and scones and the Gardens shop sells a range of quirky gifts, cards and during March to October plants.

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Capel Horticultural Society is celebrating its 125^th Anniversary.

 A number of special events are being planned as part of the Society’s celebrations.

Picking and serving fresh vegetables from your own garden is rewarding as well as delicious. With this in mind, both local residents and members are invited to an illustrated talk given by Barry Newman on “The Modern Kitchen Garden”. Barry will be covering the traditional approach to growing vegetables, moving on to container growing, for those with limited space, then finally to the increasingly popular method of raised bed cultivation. Following the presentation there will be a Q & A opportunity.

Barry Newman has spent his life working in horticulture.  He is an acknowledged expert on kitchen garden and allotment growing.  A member of the RHS Fruit, Vegetable and Herb Committee, his knowledge of growing edible crops for the kitchen is extensive.  His talks are both inspiring and humorous.

 If you are keen on growing vegetables then this is the man to listen to! If you are not yet keen on growing vegetables but quite fancy the idea, then, again, this is the man to listen to!

 When:                Tuesday 24 April 2018 @ 8pm

Where:               Capel Parish Hall
Cost:                   Free of charge

How:         Space is limited
Please contact Jane Major 01306 711170
e: oldjoinery@gmail.com to register
capelhorticulturalsociety.org.uk

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When originally founded in 1893 we were known as Capel and District Horticultural Society so it seems only appropriate that members of the current Newdigate and Ockley Societies join us in the various celebratory events planned for this anniversary year.

Our first event on 13 February was a trip to RHS Wisley for a celebratory lunch followed by an illustrated talk.  35 people attended, 26 from Capel; 4 from Newdigate and 5 from Ockley. After a delicious meal Stefan White entertained us with an amusing and informative talk-Skulduggery in the Shrubbery.  An excellent outing on a cold, wet and windy February day and a great way to kick off our programme of events throughout 2018.

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A date for your diary…

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The Plant A Daffodil event is now postponed to Saturday 4 November 1030 – 1200 meeting at Chestnut House, The Street, Capel

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Glorious sunshine brought the crowds out to the Capel Show last Saturday when more than 4,500 people enjoyed the traditional village show that really does offer something for everybody.

The Horticultural Society’s grand marquee was filled with almost 700 entries ranging from simple cakes made by 2 year olds to stunning flower, fruit and vegetable exhibits. Domestic and garden skills abounded alongside amazing art, photography and handicrafts.

At the other end of the Recreation Ground 670 Classic Cars and Bikes (a record number) attracted huge crowds. This year Land Rover Series, 1, 2 & 3 were a special feature and generated much interest.

The remainder of the area was a mass of traditional country exhibits. Owls, donkeys and sheep fascinated many of the smaller visitors whilst others enjoyed the opportunity to watch country crafts and buy locally produced plants and food. All accompanied by familiar tunes from the Copthorne Silver Band.

The Fun Dog Show delivered a wonderful result this year. A rescue dog, Dudley, who had only recently arrived in the UK from Cyprus, won Best in Show.

Local organisations including Girl Guides, Evergreens, St John the Baptist Church, Capel Cricket Club , and St John’s Group of Artists had various stalls enabling them to raise funds for their own projects

The whole day was a real community event with a wonderful atmosphere, long may it last.

A gallery of photos from the day is available to view here

Results

CAPEL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY           SUMMER SHOW AWARDS 2017

Capel Fun Dog Show Results 2017

Class 1, Most Handsome Dog – Deborah Baker,   Graff 1 year, Rottweiler

Class 2, Prettiest Bitch – Caitlin Paddy, Biscuit 4 years, Jack Russel Cross

Class 3, Best Puppy – Dyllis, Bramble 4 months, Working Cocker Spaniel

Class 4, Dog the Judge would like to take home – Amy Scott, Bella 4.5 months, Bulldog

Class 5, Best Rescue Dog – Jackie Romoff, Dudley 18 months, Bruno Juru Hound

Class 6, Best Trick – Marilyn Lyons, Poppy 5 years, Miniature Schnauzer

Class 7, Best in Show – Jackie Romoff, Dudley 18 months, Bruno Juru Hound

Many thanks to our judges, Claire and her assistants from Brelades Veterinary Surgery Dorking and Pointers Forest Green for donating the prizes.

Well done to Dudley Best in Show (also Best Rescue) who arrived in the UK only last week having been rescued from Cyprus and has settled so well.

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The Potato in a Sack Competition will be judged at The Capel Show on Saturday August 19th.  Prizes will be awarded for:

Heaviest crop of potatoes

Heaviest single potato

Please submit your entry form to the Show Secretary at 37, The Street, Capel, by 8pm, Wednesday 16th August.

Please bring your potato sack (with some or no foliage) to the tables to the right of the marquee, between 8.00am and 10.30am on Saturday 19th August.  (Wheelbarrow available for transporting your sack from your car).

Judging will take place from 2.00pm.  Results will be displayed on the board in front of the tent and the winners can collect their prize money at 3.30pm.

The winner of the heaviest crop of potatoes and the winner of the heaviest single potato will be presented with a certificate at 4.00pm when the trophies are awarded.

At 4.00pm you can collect your exhibits.  We will remove the soil, so you will be able to collect the potatoes in their sacks.

Good Luck!

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Please be aware that whilst we always do our best to assist the less able, accessible parking is limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

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Congratulations to the following keen Capel allotment holders.

Clear Silver Cup (Recreation Ground allotments)
1^st Prize Mr & Mrs Shepherd, Allotment 10.

Highly commended Mr Martin Earp, Allotment 4

Hough Silver Cup (Temple Lane allotments)

1^st Prize Terry Ward, Allotment 24

Highly commended G & P McConnell, Allotment 12

Judging took place on Sunday 16 July when a great improvement in general upkeep and appearance was noted at both sites. The judges were impressed with the amazing displays of artichokes and thoughtful planting of flowers to help pollinators. Congratulations to all our allotment holders.

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Help is at hand – check out recipes, both sweet and savoury submitted by members of our Society. All have been tried, tested and are thoroughly recommended – enjoy!

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