Growing Roses in West Wales by Richard Bramley of Farmyard Nurseries was one of the best talks we have had for a while. Informative, practical and humorous, Richard took us through how to buy, planting, diseases/pests and types of rose before showing us specific varieties. West Wales is not the ideal climate for roses and his sound advice when choosing a rose to avoid disappointment was to consider ‘not what you want but what you can grow’.
Rose de Rescht
Roses worth a mention as being ‘good doers’ were the Rugosas generally, shrub roses such as Bonica and Rose de Rescht, and ramblers or tree roses such as Pauls Himalayan Musk and Seagull.
Paul’s Himalayan Musk grown up a Hawthorn Tree
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Photo courtesy of the Vincent Wildlife Trust
Our speaker in November is rather different. Usually we learn something horticulture-related but in a change to our original programme (sadly Keith Brown couldn’t join us due to ill health), we’ll be welcoming Dave Bavin from the Vincent Wildlife Trust.
Some of you may have heard about the plan to re-introduce Pine Martens to Wales and one of the sites selected by the VWT is near Pontrhydfendigaid. Please join us on November 16th at 7pm to hear the background to this ambitious project and to follow the progress of some of Wales’ new wild residents.
Photo courtesy of the Vincent Wildlife Trust
These websites offer an insight into these lovely creatures.
http://www.vwt.org.uk/projects/pine-marten-recovery-project/
http://www.pine-marten-recovery-project.org.uk/blog/miss-piggys-year
The Vincent Wildlife Trust is also leading the control of grey squirrels locally, in order to encourage the three populations of red squirrels in the forests to be able to get together and party. Many members in the local community are taking part in this project.
Please note: Now that the clocks have changed, our meetings begin a little earlier at 7pm. This is the last open meeting of Cothi Gardeners for 2016, our 2017 programme will be available shortly.
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Christmas Lunch
Our Christmas lunch this year is taking place on Wednesday, December14th at the Dolaucothi Arms at 12 noon. Please remember to bring your deposit (please note that this is £7, not £5 as previously thought) and menu choices (see menu below) to the November meeting.
Dolaucothi Christmas Menu 2016
£22 per person for three courses
Jerusalem artichoke soup with spiced hazelnut crumb and lemon oil (gf/df)
Potato pancake, smoked salmon, horseradish creme fraiche & salt baked beetroot (gf/ df on request)
Caramelised pear, chicory and mouldy mabel bruschetta
Chicken liver, apple and smoked bacon pate, sourdough bread
Free range Turkey, stuffing, pigs in blankets, bread sauce (df on request)
Mushroom, chestnut & Caerphilly wellington
Rump of Welsh beef with sherry & shallots (gf/df)
Hake with winter vegetable saffron chowder (gf)
All served with roast potatoes and seasonal vegetables
Figgy toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce
Mincemeat strudel & brandy butter (df on request)
Chocolate cardamom mousse cake, poached pear (df, gf)
St Clements Trifle (gf)
Two cheeses, oatcakes & homemade preserves (+£2)
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Cothi Gardeners 
Two great subjects, those of pine martens and that of the great Richad Bramley. I went to a talk in the Llanelli wildlife group last winter, you will enjoy this one I can assure you. Richard is a good friend of mine, I get all my plants for client at farmyard and have had great discussions and debates about really any subject or plant you can think of. I think the last one was on snowdrops and ended on how they were once native until the ice age pushed them back to Turkey, or something. A trip to Farmyard in winter is a treat, seeing his fantastic hellebores doing their best to enchant you is truly a sight to remember. Rich has put a lot of time money and effort in his breeding program and the results just have to be seen to be believed. You can’t help but admire the man, he bounced back after those hard winters we had a few years ago where others failed to, that was a difficult time, and once again has the most comprehensive collection of healthy tough stock you can find anywhere. Buy a plant from Farmyard and it will grow anywhere
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