Village Produce Association (VPA) Store to close?

Dear Members of the VPA

What a sad heading this is!

After three years looking after the Store our manager Lin  Underwood is now stepping down. Her last time in the store will be 11 December 2022. We are very grateful to Lin for her guidance and enthusiasm in managing and developing the business.

Also, Stuart Buchanan-Barrow has decided to step down from the Treasurer duties he commenced over six years ago. Just as Lin has done with the store, Stuart has with books and accounts, keeping the records in excellent order and steering us forward, with a good watchful eye on incoming and outgoing money requirements which has been essential.

Consequently we are in urgent need of volunteers to fill those shoes.

To keep the Store running we need someone to manage the ordering of stock, store opening, either by being present personally, or by ensuring a rota of volunteers is covering Sunday mornings between 10 am and 12 noon (the current opening times of the store).

Our sales, which cover all things to make gardening successful, plus the very popular bird food selection, continue to deliver profits to the VPA funds and we have a turnover of c.£5,000pa.

In order that we have a smooth handover we need someone to step up straightaway for both of these roles.

Please contact any committee member to discuss what is required.  If we do not receive any interest in helping with these requirements the store will not be able to function and will close for good on December 11th.

Lin Underwood: store@lgvpa.org

Alastair Greene: membership@lgvpa.org or 843667

June Abraham: info@lgvpa.org or 07760144057

Stuart Buchanan-Barrow: 843602

Janet Stinton: 842218

The Store, which is situated next to the Village Hall, is the heart of the VPA and alongside that we run events like the May Plant Sale, the Winter and Summer Shows and the always popular Harvest Supper and Quiz night.

We have continually flagged up the need for volunteers and thankfully we have been able to run with a very small Committee in recent years.  However, the need to have someone(s) undertake the organisation of the Store is a critical one.

The remaining Sunday opening days are: 30/10, 06/11, 20/11, 27/11, 04/12 and 11/12/2022.

Are there some entrepreneurial young people out there that could get involved and learn about stock ordering, pricing and selling on a small scale which would enhance a CV?  You do not need to have a knowledge of gardening but need to be prepared to learn the basics to keep the Store viable.

If anyone has any ideas or can contribute to mapping out a possible strategy for the Store to continue we are all ears and very much wish to hear from you, now.

Your Committee

[lgvpa.org]

Harvest Supper and Quiz success

A week ago already …….. for those who couldn’t attend, we all had a really fun evening. The hall looked great having been decorated by Janet’s expert hands, with arrangements on every table along with hanging window wreaths all in splendid autumn colours.

Everyone was welcomed with a drink to settle at their table, agree a table name for the quiz, start on the answers for the table picture quiz and their pate starter (courtesy of Glenda, one of her specialities). A couple of rounds were completed before the break for supper (courtesy of Julia Maddox and her super team) which was excellent and thoroughly enjoyed. Shaun McCarthy kept everything on schedule and together with his fun-loving approach. It seemed everybody enjoyed the quiz rounds, whether they scored high or low. This year we had twelve tables mainly of 8 and a turnout of 90 folk in total.

The scoring was kept on target with Lin, Judie and Lin in charge. The winning table was Short Planks, (regaining the trophy from last year); in second place were the Sausage Rolls, and third place went to Barking Mad. Congratulations to everyone for taking part.

Whilst the final scores were gathered, the raffle, organised and managed by Janet, was drawn enabling some to take home a prize as well as memories of the evening.

Thank you very much for your support, we hope to see you again soon.

The VPA Committee: Janet, June, Lin, Alastair & Stuart.

If you wish to get in touch with us, we would really like to hear from you: hello@lgvpa.org

Harvest Supper and Quiz night

Saturday 1st October. Little Gaddesden Village Hall.

Doors open at 6.00pm, quiz starts at 6.30

Three course meal, quiz, raffle and a welcoming glass of Prosecco, all for £22 per head.

Quiz host Shaun McCarthy will run the quiz, Janet the raffle and Julia Maddox the catering. This year it is bring your own drink, we’ll supply the glasses.

We will have ten tables of eight but if you haven’t got an eight, we will be able to create a team for you to join, so whether you are singles, couples or full teams, buy your tickets now to avoid missing out on the night.

Tickets can be purchased from Alastair Greene 843667 (please leave message on answerphone), or at the VPA Store on Sunday morning, or June Abraham (07760 144057); hello@lgvpa.org; payment by cash or bank transfer to Sort code: 090151: Account number: 48549306; Account name: Gaddesden District Village Produce. (Give your surname as the reference and the word ‘Quiz’)

Any special dietary requirements please advise when purchasing tickets; where possible send details to: hello@lgvpa.org.

Summer Show cancellation

Dear Members

It is with very heavy hearts that we have had to take the decision not to go ahead with the Summer Show this year because we simply do not have the capacity to organise everything that is needed for a successful show. The regular Committee members total five, a priority being the store management but a mixture of health issues and personal commitments has just not allowed time for a small group to organise the show due at the end of August. As you know we have called for help many times and without additional support we cannot manage all the events.

Having shared the bad news, looking further ahead is the Harvest Supper and Quiz on Saturday 1 October 2022 which will go ahead.  We have started planning this event already and it would be really useful to know how many tables we will need, last year was great fun and a complete sell out so please reserve your seat or tables (tables of 8) at the following email address: hello@lgvpa.org   We hope pricing will be similar to last year.

We look forward to hearing from you.

AGM Minutes and Plant Sale results.

AGM Minutes

Held – 27 April 2022 Location – Thomas Field Church Hall

Present
Jenny Birks, Glenda Cooper, Chris Mawhood, Josie Jeffrey, David and Anne Heard, Barbara Sheard, Sandra Walsham, Sue Godar, Carolyn Wise, Valerie and Jeremy Neve Foster, Lyn Hyde, David and Pat Seymour, Trevor Fernandez, June Abraham, Alastair and Alison Greene, Stuart and Linda Buchanan-Barrow.

The meeting welcomed the guest speakers, Julia Bolton and Amy Moffatt from Horatio’s Garden.

Continue reading “AGM Minutes and Plant Sale results.”

Horatio’s Garden talk and AGM

Our AGM will begin tonight at 7pm, (Wednesday 27th April) at the Thomas Field Hall at Little Gaddesden Church. with nibbles and a glass of wine or soft drink before the AGM reports and then our speakers for the evening: Julia Bolton, who is heavily involved in the “Horatio’s Garden” at Stoke Mandeville Hospital and is passionate about the charity, and Amy Moffett, who was appointed head gardener at Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville | Horatio’s Garden (horatiosgarden.org.uk) in January 2021. “Horatio’s Gardens” are being installed in all major spinal units throughout the country and they are hugely influential in the recovery of some patients, as well as being helpful and supportive to relatives, giving them a peaceful place to be away from the ward. The original garden was created in Salisbury where Horatio Chapple was a volunteer until his sudden death aged only 17. This will be a very informative talk and we are delighted that Julia is available to come along.

Horatio’s Garden talk and AGM

Dear Member

Our AGM will begin at 7pm, Wednesday 27th April at the Thomas Field Hall at Little Gaddesden Church. with nibbles and a glass of wine or soft drink before the AGM reports (see attachment), and a top up, or coffee, before our speakers for the evening: Julia Bolton, who is heavily involved in the “Horatio’s Garden” at Stoke Mandeville Hospital and is passionate about the charity, and Amy Moffett, who was appointed head gardener at Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville | Horatio’s Garden (horatiosgarden.org.uk) in January 2021. “Horatio’s Gardens” are being installed in all major spinal units throughout the country and they are hugely influential in the recovery of some patients, as well as being helpful and supportive to relatives, giving them a peaceful place to be away from the ward. The original garden was created in Salisbury where Horatio Chapple was a volunteer until his sudden death aged only 17. This will be a very informative talk and we are delighted that Julia is available to come along. Please put the date in your diary so it does not slip your mind. Agenda and reports can be downloaded below.

Continue reading “Horatio’s Garden talk and AGM”

SEED POTATOES

Potato picture

ONLY £2:50 a bag
Cheaper than the garden centres!

First Earlies to plant around late March
Pentland Javelin (good all-round eating and can be used as show potato)
• Winston (good all-round eating and can be used as show potato)

Second Earlies plant early to mid-April
Maris Peer (good all-round eating and can be used as show potato)
• Charlotte (salad potato)

Main Crop plant mid to late April
• Cara (good all-round eating and can be used as show potato)
• King Edward (good all-round eating and can be used as show potato)
• Pink Fir Apple (salad potato)

The seed potatoes come in a 2kg pack ready for you to plant.
Potatoes couldn’t be easier to grow, they can go direct into your garden, or you can have them in tubs, plastic bags, or any container you can find!

Fill with compost and place the seed potatoes on top. Keep them watered and fertilised and you will be able to have fresh potatoes within 3-4 months.
Please visit the VPA store – Sundays 10:12
or contact store@lgvpa.org