Burpham Gardening Club News – January & February 2021
Written by John Boon (Burpham Gardening Club)
January & February 2021
The Club still remains closed at present, hopefully we can open in the Spring when we might have come out of the tiers and life has returned to normal whatever that may be.
I wish you all a successful year in your garden and that you will grow plenty of entries for our shows.
Things to do in the garden in January.
- If you cannot garden because the soil is rain sodden or frosted you can use your time by studying plant catalogues which have arrived in the post on a regular basis.
- The same advice applies as when ordering spring flowering bulbs, the larger the plants you buy the better they will be when planted out in May. If you only need a few plants it would probably be better to visit a local nursery, such as Elm Nursery at Sutton Green, in May where you can select your plants first hand.
…remember that this year’s novelty seeds are likely to be next year’s ordinary seeds.
- New seed varieties which are usually F1 Hybrids are expensive to buy and often difficult to germinate, so look on the back of the packet to see how many seeds you are buying for your money, remember that this year’s novelty seeds are likely to be next year’s ordinary seeds.
- Whilst the fruit buds are still dormant Apple and Pear trees can be pruned, cut out any congested growth to increase airflow which will improve the quality of next seasons fruit, cut back to a fruit bud which is large and rounded on older growth, one year old shoots should be pruned back to a slender bud.
Things to do in the garden in February.
- Plunge shrivelled Dahlia tubers into a bucket of tepid water overnight, having removed any rotten tubers, they can then be started into growth to provide cuttings for new plants, place the tubers in a seed tray or pot and lightly cover with damp soil.
- Slow germinating annuals such as Antirrhinum and Lobelia should be sown indoors.
- Prune Summer flowering deciduous shrubs such as Buddleia which flower on the current year’s growth. Cut back Summer and Autumn flowering Clematis to the lowest pair of strong buds.
- Sow Sweet Peas and pot on those sown in the Autumn.
When it is mild Broad Beans, Carrots and Parsnips can be sown under cloches.
- When it is mild Broad Beans, Carrots and Parsnips can be sown under cloches.
- Sow Greenhouse Tomatoes, Cucumbers and Peppers at 21°C.
- Seed Potatoes should be placed on their ends in a light, cool, frost free place to sprout.
Burpham Gardening Club News – November & December 2020
Written by John Boon (Burpham Gardening Club)
November & December 2020
There’s plenty to do in the garden in November & December. Here are some hints and tips from Burpham Gardening Club who are hoping to resume their meetings.
Please note that all Club meetings remain cancelled until further notice due to the Covid-19 virus and the Rule of Six. The Trading Hut remains closed. If there is anything that you need please call 01483 874123.
Things to do in the garden in November.
- Planting of Tulips should be completed by the end of this month.
- Cut down faded perennials leaving Penstemon and other late flowering perennials to continue flowering.
- Dahlias and Cannas should be lifted, dried and stored in a frost free place ready for planting next Spring, if they are being overwintered in the ground they should be covered with a mulch dressing.
- Apply an application of a mulch dressing to protect Agapanthus from the frost.
Reduce the watering of houseplants.
- Half hardy Fuchsias and Pelargoniums should be cut back and brought undercover, reduce watering so that they remain dormant during the winter months.
- Amaryllis bulbs should be potted up for Christmas flowering.
- Bring potted Hyacinths into a light cool area once they begin to shoot.
- Reduce the watering of Houseplants.
- Now is a good time to plant Raspberry Canes, Fruit Trees and Bushes.
- Start the winter pruning of Apple and Pear trees.
- Aquadulce Broad Beans should be planted now to produce an early crop ahead of the Spring invasion of Blackfly.
- Garlic cloves can still be planted.
- Continue to rake leaves off of the lawn.
Things to do in the garden in December.
- Indoor Azaleas should be watered frequently to prevent the dense root ball from drying out, rainwater is better than tap water.
- Poinsettias are a popular gift at this time of the year, they should be kept in a warm light place away from draughts, they do not like to be over watered. All other Houseplants should be kept in a bright place as winter light levels fall, on frosty nights do not leave them trapped between closed curtains and the window.
- Pinch out the tips of Sweet Peas sown in October to encourage bushy growth.
Poinsettias are a popular gift at this time of the year, they should be kept in a warm light place away from draughts, they do not like to
be over watered.
- The vegetable plot should be cleared of all left over plant debris and lightly dug over to open up the ground so that the winter frost can get in and destroy
bugs and diseases. - Rhubarb crowns can be forced by covering them with dark bucket.
Keep off of the lawn when it is frosty or very wet.
- Grape vines should be pruned before Christmas to prevent bleeding.
- Keep off of the Lawn when it is frosty or very wet.
- Insulate garden taps and exposed pipe work against extreme weather.
Burpham Gardening Club News – September & October 2020
Written by John Boon (Burpham Gardening Club)
September & October 2020
There’s plenty to do in the garden in September & October. Here are some hints and tips from Burpham Gardening Club who are hoping to resume there meetings.
We intend to restart our monthly talks on Tuesday 27th October at 7.30pm in the Village Hall when Nigel Choat will be taking us on a trip along the ‘Wey side and woodlands’. Subscriptions which we were unable to collect in April will now be collected in September at the reduced rate of £2.00 per household to allow for the missed meetings during the Lockdown. The Trading Hut remains closed, if there is anything that you require please call 01483 874123.
Things to do in the garden in September.
- Enjoy your garden whilst it is still at its best but as the evenings are drawing in we should be on the lookout for a frost by the end of this month in the weather forecast.
- On sunny days continue to collect the seed of Annuals, except F1 Hybrids, for sowing next Spring.
- Cuttings can still be taken from tender perennials such as Fuchsia and Pelargonium.
- Evergreen hedges should be given a final trim for the year.
- Daffodils and Narcissi should be planted this month for a good Spring display. Remember that the bigger the bulb the larger the flower.
- Keep Camellias and Rhododendrons well watered to ensure that there is good bud formation for flowering next Spring.
Enjoy your garden whilst it is still at its best but as the evenings are drawing in we should be on the lookout for a frost.
- A late sowing of Turnip and Spinach can still be made.
- Plant out over wintering Onion sets and Spring Cabbage.
- Harvest Main Crop Potatoes and Sweetcorn, continue to pick Runner Beans and Courgettes.
- Cut out fruited canes of Raspberry and Loganberry.
Things to do in the garden in October.
- At the first sign of frost all tender plants should be brought inside and kept in a frost free place.
- Cut back and divide Herbaceous Perennials, once Dahlias have had their leaves blackened by frost they should be lifted, dried off and stored in a frost free place.
- Spring Bedding plants can now be planted out.
- Climbing and tall Rose bushes can now be pruned to minimise damage from wind rock.
- Tulip bulbs should be ordered or purchased for planting in November.
- Towards the end of the month Sweet Peas can be sown under glass.
- Now is the time to plant up pots of Hyacinth and ‘Paperwhite’ Narcissi for a Christmas display, keeping the bulbs in a cool dark place until they begin to sprout. To flower together Hyacinth bulbs all need to be the same colour.
- Garlic cloves can be planted this month just below the surface of the soil 15cm apart with the tip of the clove upright.
Now is the time to plant up pots of Hyacinth and ‘Paperwhite’ Narcissi for a Christmas display.
- Rhubarb crowns can be lifted and divided.
- Now is a good time to plant hedges and trees.
- The lawn should be scarified and then an Autumn dressing applied just before rain is forecast, this is an ideal time to lay turf and to reseed the lawn.
- The watering of Houseplants should be reduced as the days shorten.
Advice from the Chiropractic Clinic during Lockdown
by Philip J Hehir DC
Millions of people around the world are currently facing the challenges of working from home. As such, these can place significant strains on our physical and mental wellbeing.
As I write this article, it is Week-6 of UK COVID-19 restrictions and I have to report, our clinic is receiving an increasing number of phone calls asking for advice. To help with these challenges, the clinic has been giving free virtual consultations to members of the community which has given us a snapshot of what’s happening out there.
Most requests are related to back, neck and muscle pain; and of course, stress. We believe the most likely culprits for this sudden rise is poor workspace setups and living more sedentary lifestyles. I include here some of the key issues that have cropped up consistently in our consultations and encourage you to take on board:
- Assess your workplace Workers who have been asked to work from home do so in environments that aren’t necessarily ideal. Just as you would modify your car seat after your spouse has used it, you should assess and modify your workstation. HR don’t plan to come to your house to do it for you. Here’s the checklist:
Eyes: Screen height should be straight ahead at eye level. Adjust the height of your seat. Don’t work with your laptop on your thighs! Consider a verti-lift screen adjuster or if wish to splash out, a sit to standing desk.
– Good Posture: Elbows level with the desk and shoulders relaxed. Bottom should be against the back seat and shoulder blades should be touching the back rest of the chair. Knees should not be higher than hips. Maintain a relaxed posture. Breathe.
– Brugger! Google ‘Bruggers Relief’ and do this throughout the day.
– Standing: Stand up every 45-minutes (at least) and move around, even if it’s just to get a glass of water. This will stop a process called ‘creep’ occurring in your muscles which increases your risk of injury. - Hydrate Have a glass or a bottle of water next to your desk throughout the day to help keep you well hydrated.
- Have a break Ensure you have a break in your designated lunchtime. Get out in the sunshine and get some immune enhancing Vitamin D – viruses don’t want you to know about this!
- Exercise ‘Sitting is the new smoking’. This WILL be a driver in the surge of aches and pains we will see after the lockdown is lifted. Ensure you use your one-hour every day for some form of exercise. This is particularly important for our mental wellbeing as well as physical.
- Offer Support Human beings are social animals. Keeping in regular contact with your friends, families and neighbours and offering to help out whenever you can, causes the brain to secrete dopamine – one of our happy hormones. If you haven’t tried in a while, give it a go.
- Watch Your Thoughts Be grateful that you have a roof over your head; a job; a family; a purpose; an opportunity to reflect; an opportunity to plan. A good mindset will most certainly help you and your mental wellbeing get through this time.
Autumn musings from Mandira...
Lettuce cups with Keema Mattar recipe
I’m not sure if I’m sad or happy that Summer is on it’s way out and we are slowly beginning to see the back of 2020. Despite the sunshine of the last few days, there is a distinct autumnal nip in the air which makes me crave
home comforts in every sense.
In the garden and local farms shops too there is so much seasonal produce available – it would be a shame not to make the most of it. At Mandira’s Kitchen, we like to batch cook and I find it handy to have some cooked dishes in the freezer ready for those evenings when I just want something quick and easy.
Alternatively, Keema Mattar can put into scooped out tomatoes or peppers or on pizza bases topped with cheese and baked for a fabulous meal.
Here I’m using our Keema Mattar curry (minced lamb) which is fabulous to use with fresh lettuce. Alternatively, you can put it into scooped out tomatoes or peppers or on pizza bases topped with cheese and bake for a fantastic meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 green butterhead lettuce, washed and dried (any left over leaves can be stored in a container in a refrigerator for up to 5 days)
- 1 pack of Keema Mattar (re-heated using on pack instructions)
- 1 pack of Peas Patties (re-heated using on pack instructions) then chopped into small pieces
- A few spoons of Tamarind Chutney
- A handful of fresh mint leave
- 200ml thick natural yogurt
- 3 dessert spoons of diced cucumber
- Salt and black pepper
Keema Mattar, Peas Patties and Tamarind Chutney are all available from Mandira’s Kitchen and many of the local farm shops.
Method:
Mix the yogurt, some freshly chopped mint and cucumber together and season. Place a spoonful of Keema Mattar in a salad leaf and top with chopped hot Peas Patties and a teaspoon of raita. Drizzle with Tamarind Chutney and garnish with fresh mint leaves. Serve immediately.
Burpham resident Mandira is the founder and inspiration behind Mandira’s Kitchen an award winning Indian food producer based in the Surrey Hills. A confirmed foodaholic, she was so frustrated with the lack of authentic Indian food that she embarked on a second career and set up her all women kitchen out of a converted cowshed at the Silent Pool. Other than their Freezer Meals, the team at MK also offer hands on cookery lessons, spice tours and bespoke catering in between sampling the gin and wine from their neighbours!
If you enjoy Mandira’s recipe please do let us know at Stoughton Pages by leaving some feedback online. Click on ‘Leave a reply’ at the foot of this article.
Going wild in Guildford
Whilst we were all in full lockdown the local wildlife flourished and seemed to gain a new level of confidence. As spring and summer approached and lockdown dragged on some people used the situation to their advantage. Ben Hancock-Smith was one of those making the most of it.
It seems that whilst us humans were finding the lockdown difficult and restrictive to our normal daily routines the local wildlife was flourishing in our absence and enjoying the quieter streets, parks and rivers undisturbed.
I’ve spoken to Ben Hancock-Smith who lives in Burpham and is a keen wildlife photographer. He’s currently a pupil at George Abbot School but soon hopes to study at local Merrist Wood College to gain qualifications and experience to pursue a career in wildlife photography.
Merrist Wood is a 400-acre, multi-award winning college in Worplesdon specialising in the land-based industries, with subject areas ranging from Animal Management and Aroboriculture & Forestry to Equine Management and Wildlife & Conservation. The College is a part of the Guildford College Group along with Farnham College and Guildford College. Having seen a range of his recent pieces of work I asked Ben how he always seemed to be in the right place at the right time.
“As a keen wildlife photographer I always carry a camera with me on my daily exercise walks allowed by the government during this lockdown. So, by taking advantage of the limited numbers of people out during April and early May, I scanned Guildford for opportunities to capture as much nature as possible.”
So what’s your favourite animal that you’ve managed to capture with your camera this spring?
“One of my favourite animals spotted is an annual spring visitor to the area, the red legged partridge. This year I have noticed them wandering around the empty pavements and crossing the barren roads. Occasionally when people approach, they now seem tamer and pay little attention, even when getting within a couple metres of them.”
So where have you managed to track down the local wild life?
“In late spring I went to Britten’s Pond on Whitmoor common to photograph goslings (baby geese) – one of my favourite spring subjects. This year the lake was inundated with them, unlike last year when an invasive mink had eaten all the eggs resulting in no hatchlings at all. Lying flat in the dirt to get eye level shots, I managed to photograph these cute little birds, most of the time they were quite relaxed and I could get close without spooking them – sometimes too close as I could not actually focus.
A migratory visitor to the lake was also present when I was there, the Common Tern. These speedy and agile birds were diving into the water hunting fish. I tried photographing them crashing into the water, but they were usually too far out to get a decent shot. The Common Terns migrate north for spring and summer, returning to the southern hemisphere for winter and autumn, this means they can cover up to 35,000km a year one of the longest distance migrations of any bird worldwide.”
Ben has also been out and about with his camera at the nature reserve and along by the river Wey.
“As a keen wildlife photographer I always carry a camera with me on my daily exercise walks allowed by the government during this lockdown.”
“As lockdown restricted outdoor activity, the canals and rivers were even more deserted than our roads with barely anyone sailing. At the riverside nature reserve in Burpham, this resulted in the sight of more Cormorants, normally a shy fish-hunting bird. These black snake-like necked birds are usually quite timid and often get scared off by boats when they try to fish, but with fewer people there were more of these remarkable predators about. However, unlike the partridges they are still very shy and getting near one is quite hard.”
With lockdown encompassing spring, there were chicks coming out to feed with their parents and enjoy the warmer weather. Another prevalent bird doing the same are the starlings. Their chicks have fledged and are now flying around in flocks looking for food. Despite the chicks (coloured brown and grey) being able to fly, they were still being fed by their parents (the black and colourful ones). Whilst the parents were gathering food, the chicks got to enjoy the beautiful spring weather.
Let’s hope, now that lockdown has relaxed further, that the local wildlife can continue to enjoy the autumn and we wish Ben the best of luck with his wildlife photography career. It looks like he’s off to a good start.
Foodwise adapt to the needs of the community
Foodwise is a Christian based charity which addresses food poverty and supports local communities by running cooking courses for parents and provides the ingredients to allow those parents to feed themselves and their families. They also support children and families during school holidays by running fun days with activities and a hot meal free of charge.
During lockdown we have adapted to the needs of the community and turned our attention to cooking meals which we fast freeze and then deliver to families in need. We have partnered with local schools through the Home School Link Workers and we are supporting anyone who needs food, due to change of circumstances or the fact that they cannot get to shops or are shielding.
Currently Foodwise are operating out of Emmanuel Church in Stoughton, The Refresh Café in Queen Elizabeth Park and have partnered with a further operation in Guildford and one in Woking.
Every week we deliver twice to each family and we have a whole team of amazing volunteers who come each week to help us with packing and delivering. The meals make a huge difference to the families we give them to and we have had lovely notes and messages to thank us for the work we are doing. We could not do this without the continued support from everyone who has donated, and we are extremely grateful for your support and prayers.
Foodwise have also been able to run some online cooking courses. There are some simple, wholesome budget friendly meals on our website that you can cook along to from a YouTube channel and we are partnering with a local Mental Health charity to offer Zoom courses once a week where clients can cook along in their own homes.
Guildford City FC 2020/21 up coming season
Guildford City Football Club is looking forward to the new season, and have entered into the FA Cup and FA Vase Trophy competition.
The club currently play at the Spectrum Stadium with a capacity of 1,375 and are currently participating in the Combined Counties League, just 4 leagues away from National League level.
New U23 Team
This season Guildford City have established an U23 team who are entered in the CCL U23. Everyone around the club is very excited about this new venture.
Attending games at the Spectrum Stadium
The club has put plans in place to keep everyone as safe as possible when attending games at the Spectrum during the Covid crisis. These plans can be viewed on the clubs website www.guildfordcityfc.co.uk/2020/08/14/gcfc-covid-19-risk-assessment-stadium/
Home games admission prices are £9 for adults and £7 for concessions. All NHS staff have free entry to all league games throughout the season. At the ground there is a large seating area and terracing plus a bar area with a range of beers and soft drinks. Stands serving hot and cold food and club merchandise will also be available.
Looking forward to the season
A new chairman is now heading up the club and updates in and around the club and our home ground are in progress. Guildford City is always looking for volunteers to help around the ground on match days, please do get in touch if you want to get involved.
To find out more about Guildford City check out the clubs new YouTube channel, as well as our Twitter and Facebook pages. Visit www.guildfordcityfc.co.uk for the latest news, history of the club, online shop and much more.
Restarting Reuse
Written by Ali Fisher
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle is a mantra that has been around in the UK since the 1970s and has arguably had some of its greatest momentum over the last couple of years, especially following Sir David Attenborough’s Blue Planet 2 in the autumn of 2017. Yet the Covid-19 pandemic has thrown a bit of a spanner in the works to say the least, especially when it comes to the second ‘R’ of Reuse.
As we continue to battle through a devastating global pandemic, why should we continue to worry about environmental waste? It is estimated in the UK that we use a staggering 5 million tonnes of plastic every year, nearly half of which comes from packaging.
Estimates suggest that globally around 12 million tonnes of plastics enter our oceans every year.
WWF estimated that in 2018 just under a third (29%) of single use plastics were recycled, with almost half (48%) going to Landfill. Then there’s the other third. Estimates suggest that globally around 12 million tonnes of plastics enter our oceans every year.
The very nature of the Covid-19 pandemic, with an urgent need to stop the spread of the virus, has meant the increased use of single use items. As we face the horrifying reality that this ‘new normal’ could be around for some time, it seems a good moment to check in on how we cope with a health crisis and environmental crisis simultaneously. Ultimately, we must all do what feels comfortable for each of us in our own situations.
One of the mantras of 2020, has been the call to listen to the science – something climate scientists have been saying for some decades.
In June, 119 scientists (including epidemiologists, virologists, biologists, chemists and doctors) from 18 countries published a signed statement aiming to reassure the public that reusable containers are safe to use during the pandemic. They advise that reusable containers do NOT increase the chance of virus transmission and individuals should wash reusable containers thoroughly with hot water and detergent.
So can we restart some of our pre-lockdown reuse habits? Costa Coffee have taken a lead on breathing life back into reusable coffee cups and trying to help us kick our UK habit of using 7 million disposable coffee cups a day!! On the 5th June they announced they had adapted their serving system so that there is no contact with the lid/drinking area on either reusable cups or bottles. Starbucks followed suit and restarted reusable mugs on 7th August, with a new contactless process in place, passing reusable cups through the system inside a ceramic sit-in mug. The City To Sea team launched a campaign #contactlesscoffee with a neat 4 step guide for coffee drinkers and coffee shops alike to show how a reusable cup can be kept contact-free. Find out more at www.citytosea.org.uk/contactless-coffee/
One of the most prevalent single use items at the moment is face masks – a current necessity as they are mandated for use in all shops and hopefully will help us control the virus better. It’s not a Reuse moment that many of us will have considered before March 2020 but, given they may be with us for the foreseeable future, it’s one we should think about doing as sustainably as we can. There’s now a plethora of fun, funky or glamorous reusable material masks available on-line or locally. We bought ours from a local Guildford lady who wanted to make a difference in these difficult times and just charged to cover the material (and they’re great by the way!).
One of the most prevalent single use items at the moment is face masks – a current necessity as they are mandated for use in all shops and hopefully will help us control the virus better.
There’s some good advice available from the World Health Organisation (www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/when-and-how-to-use-masks) on how to safely wear and take care of a reusable mask, including washing hands before putting on and taking off, holding the mask by the straps and storing it in a clean reusable bag when out and about but not in use.
A fabric mask can protect others around you. To protect yourself and prevent the spread of COVID-19, remember to keep at least 1 metre distance from others.
If you haven’t discovered it already, Noel’s Farm Shop at Sutton Green Garden Centre, just off the Guildford Road on the way to Woking, is a great way to get into Reuse. The shop offers shampoo, conditioner, bodywash, muesli, porridge and more, available to buy in reusable containers. It’s also a great way to support one of our local businesses.
It doesn’t look as if Reuse has mainstreamed yet in any of our big supermarkets but some are running trials, like the Waitrose Unpacked trial in 4 stores which has been running since last year.
It doesn’t look as if Reuse has mainstreamed yet in any of our big supermarkets but some are running trials.
There is a new kid on the block offering us a different way to Reuse. Loop launched in the UK this July, having launched in New York & Paris in 2019, with an at-home delivery service. Well-known brands from Persil to Heinz Ketchup, Nivea & Coca-Cola will be available to use at home and then return the packaging for cleaning and reuse. It’s new, it’s different & I really hope it will be a raging success, helping to keep more packaging in the loop and out of the environment. Good news is we’ve tried it and it is available in this area.
Please do share with us your thoughts on how we can Reuse more in a safe way so that we can look after both people and planet during these difficult times. Leave your comments below.
Ali Fisher lives in Burpham. She supports businesses and brands to help build a more sustainable future. PlansWithPurpose.co.uk
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