VPA News

We are absolutely delighted …… we had a very successful Winter Show ….. the hall was over-flowing with supporters coming to view all the entries which numbered around 250 in total.  Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this traditional event such a success for us all to enjoy.  Congratulations to everyone who was able to enter and particularly to the winners of prizes (details listed on our web site https://lgvpa.org/vpa-events/vpa-winter-show/).  We are very thankful to our judges and we now know where to go to taste exquisite sloe gin; taste a variety of delicious cooking; view beautiful pictures and so much more. Scroll down to see a few images from the day.

You will recall the situation that prevailed upon the VPA at the year end but due to several people coming forward, organising a show was the desire albeit on a short time scale to organise the many facets required; consequently an added thank you for rallying round to create entries and apologies for such a short time frame. 

Looking ahead the next events to be arranged are: the Summer Show set for Saturday 19 August 2023;  we also aim to organise an AGM along with a plant sale around the coronation weekend if that’s possible.  The Harvest Supper and Quiz is set for Saturday 30 September 2023. Please mark your diaries accordingly. It is also the 75th anniversary of the formation of the VPA in Little Gaddesden  https://lgvpa.org/about/history/; we are looking for ideas of how we should mark the occasion throughout the year, please send us your ideas?  

The summer show schedule will be reviewed very shortly and made available to aid your decisions on what seeds to plant up. 

For the plant sale we appreciate all donations that you can offer: “Sow a tray for the VPA” please; look out for further details on posters and social media.  

The VPA is an affiliated society to the RHS which has been renewed and as part of our membership we now have a RHS Garden Entry Discount Card which we can make available to share with our members; it offers two adults a 50% discount off entry to any RHS Garden (Bridgewater, Harlow Carr, Hyde Hall, Rosemoor and Wisley); excludes Flower Shows and Glow illuminations events.  If there is interest in taking a day trip to the Chelsea Flower Show in May 2023 please let us know asap: hello@lgvpa.org.

Solely due to the interest shown by Elliot Bachmann the Store will be opening from 26 February 2023; advance requirement notifications welcomed during the year to help with monitoring stock levels and placing orders with suppliers (being a small enterprise we are likely to have a two week processing window) store@lgvpa.org 

A separate communication will be sent out to the kindly folk who have offered their time to support the two hour store opening slot on Sunday’s; get in touch to add your name to the list, the more volunteers we have, the less frequent mornings are required of one person  store@lgvpa.org    If you are available on Sunday 26 February please pop along when a mini-training induction will be available to get everyone started; this will be very low key but ensure you are supported and feel confident in what is required. 

For anyone needing guidance in pruning our friend Alison Townsend can provide a teach-in (your garden or hers) during February and March on how to keep your plants in good productive order.  A donation to either Teenage Cancer Trust or the Hospice of St Francis is requested in return for her guidance.   If interested get in touch with Alison directly, 07490 954980 / gardeninspirations2000@gmail.com. 

Looking forward to seeing you in Store: The VPA garden store NEEDS YOU 👉 footfall must grow. 

From your Committee 

It is with sadness that we have learnt of the passing of David Moore earlier in December. For many years David was a stalwart of the VPA amongst many other successes during his life. David was the store manager (taking over from Bob Ward) and was a champion vegetable grower, he loved the show competitions having a huge garden devoted to growing. David, along with his wife Edna, supported the VPA in many ways over umpteen years along with being an aspiring artist and serious motorcyclist entering competitions particularly on the Isle of Man (where Edna originated from).

Below is a letter from Jules, David and Edna’s daughter, advising of the funeral details for anyone who remembers David and wishes to pay their respects:

Dear Friends

Excuse the general nature of this note- we had a lot to send out.

We are very, very sad to let you know that Dad – David – passed away peacefully on 4th December at the care home where he had been living for the past three and a bit years.

He had been declining gradually since his dementia diagnosis in July 2019 and although Dad was not able to do the things he loved, he always had a big smile on his face. Dad had a really wonderful life and had so many amazing experiences, and quite a few broken bones to boot! He also made some lovely friends along the way.

We would love you to join us to celebrate his life on Friday 13th January 2023. The funeral is at 12pm at St. Mary’s Church, High Street, Northchurch, Berkhamsted, Herts, HP4 3QW followed by lunch and drinks at The Greyhound Pub, Stocks Road, Aldbury, Herts, HP23 5RT. There is fairly limited parking at St. Marys so please leave plenty of time to cruise around the local streets to find spaces.

It would be great if you could let us know if you can join us. You can email us on leylandjules@gmail.com or call / text Jules on 07961 418283.
Or write to us Jules Leyland and Colin Moore, 5 Model Cottages, London, SW14 7PH

For those that remember Dad thank you for your time and kindness remembering him.

Dear Members                 

The VPA is looking forward to 2023 after all

Villagers have stepped forward to save the VPA.  We feel very fortunate to be able to send a positive news item following the last one which was very bleak.  Following a big push via social media and the various LG e-news items we have had several people get in touch offering a variety of helpful and supporting ideas.  THANK YOU to everyone and ongoing we very much welcome people coming forward to lend a hand, no matter how short a period of time you can spare.

Firstly, the Committee have been sorry to say goodbye to Lin Underwood and Stuart Buchanan-Barrow.  It goes without saying that we owe a great debt of gratitude to these two departing Committee Members, Lin having been Store Manager for the last 3 years and Stuart, Treasurer for 6 years, both have done a sterling job and are in the process of handing over to the new Committee. An enormous thank you as you move onto other projects.  The last store opening for the year was 11 December where visitors were able to enjoy a cup of mulled wine or a coffee.

Going forward we are pleased to say Elliott Bachmann will be our new Store Manager and Kate Filippidis is our new Treasurer. In addition Faye Robinson, Rachel Heaphy, Stephanie Royal, Glenda Cooper, Emily Hinde and Tim Crossley-Smith have all joined the Committee.  Alastair Greene, Janet Stinton and June Abraham have all remained on the committee and Stasia Parker has kindly agreed to continue supporting us on Social Media. We also have a number of volunteers who have said they are happy to help either with events or in the store on Sunday mornings.  A WhatsApp group is being set up to include all store volunteers to assist with instant communications and if you would like to be included please get in touch at hello@lgvpa.org

Now that we have a strong Committee and a new roof on the store (electrics to be done soon) we are in a good position to move forward. At our initial meet up with new people there was a strong desire to hold the Winter Show. This involves a lot of organisation, however the date is now in the calendar – Saturday 4 February 2023, so please put the date in your nice new diary also allowing time the previous week and in the lead up to the 4 February to prepare your entries. If every household were to put just one entry into the show we would have a bumper record of entries which would be great fun for members and visitors alike.

The usual classes will be there, cooking and preserves, wines and spirits, floral art, photography, children’s classes and pet classes. More details will follow. As the future of the VPA was uncertain, we do not know if exhibitors will have fruit and vegetables to enter.  It would help us in the final preparation of the programme if you can give an indication of any likely produce suitable for entry by emailing: vpa-show@lgvpa.org

During our closed period if you need any supplies, particularly the popular bird food, please email: store@lgvpa.org and we can organise your order. Payment by card, cheque or cash is welcomed.  Currently we plan to re-open in February 2023.

As you will recall in the past we have often awarded local good causes a donation and with the year-end upon us we felt in a position to make the following awards:  The Hospice of St Francis, Rennie Grove Hospice, Horatio’s Garden (Stoke Mandeville Hospital), Westcroft House (Tring) and Riding for the Disabled (RDA, Gaddesden Place), each receiving £400 which we hope will help in a variety of ways towards the services they each provide on a shoe-string budget.

Thank you and Happy Christmas to all our members from the VPA Committee.