Message from the Chairman - January 2025

Dear Member

2025 – well it’s been a busy one! The Society continues to grow in member numbers which is so important to continuing this lovely society. Thank to everyone for your support. We have a very strong and talented committee who work tirelessly to make the shows and other activities successful and good fun. I’d like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank for all their hard work and commitment which is never ending and greatly appreciated.

We again ran our three shows in 2025, Spring, Summer and Autumn all of which were very successful. Our shows are now on a Sunday which seems to suit the majority of people. We are particularly seeing more children’s entries which is very heartening. To continue to encourage the children we are going to be involved with the new Thursday Gardening Club at St Margaret’s primary school in Ditchling which being led by Susie Godley. I understand that there is a waiting list to join, which is great to hear. Liz Pope, whom I’m sure everyone will know, will be our DHS representative at the club and will be encouraging children to enter the shows.

In addition to the Horticultural shows, in April the DHS hosted one of the Ditchling Village Association coffee mornings and on the 16th July, we visited Wisley gardens and the sun shone all day. Once again there was lots of interest, in fact it proved so popular that Claire McQuillan, our organiser had to order an extra bus! We plan to do another visit in 2026.

In June we had the Ditchling Open Gardens in support of St Peter and St James with 9 very interesting and varied gardens which were visited by over 300 people, a bit less than last year as the weather was exceptionally hot at 32-34 degrees, which did understandably deter some people. In July we had another Open Garden Day, this one part of the National Garden Scheme. This too was successful even with the day being rather wet. There were 6 lovely gardens open and we had over 300 visitors. Between the two Open Garden events we raised just under £9000 in aid of very worthy caring charities.

Co-ordinating these day takes a lot of time, energy and effort and I would like to thank Yvonne Hennessy who was the main organiser, supported by her able team in making this another great success for the village. Jane Baker who you may know as the NGS Regional Organiser, sadly passed away earlier this month. Jane will be missed in lots of ways.

Thank you to everyone who supported us in Martha’s Café in the Ditchling Village Hall during our three Shows and for our Open Garden days. All the bakers, dish washers, café helpers and others who support us in many ways. We couldn’t do it without you. As a thank you to all of our helpers, Katy Lebrecht is in the process of arranging a get together in The White Horse. The evening is planned for the 4th December from 6pm. If you have been one of our valued helpers, please come along to enjoy a drink or two and some tasty nibbles. Katy has already contacted many of you but we don’t have everyone’s contact details so if you haven’t heard, please do come along anyhow

Now onto 2026. Next year we plan to run the Ditchling Open Gardens in aid of the St Peter and James hospice but will not be Opening Gardens for the NGS in 2026 as it is Ditchling Fair Year, when we do a rather large plant sale which also takes a lot of organising, we will look forward to Opening Gardens for the NGS in 2027.

Show Schedules. With Laura’s excellent organisation we have started the planning of the 2026 Show Schedules which will be delivered in January. One particular thing we would like to put in place is to have as many members as possible to pay the yearly subscription through your bank. John, our treasurer will cover this in more detail in his Treasurer’s report.

With best wishes

Pamela Roy-Jones

Chair – DHS