4 Dec 2020 Update

 Good afternoon everyone,

Albeit a little cold out there, but at least it's dry and more importantly the sun is visible at times, or at least it was when I started this email!.

Don't forget it's the shortest day on the 21st of this month, and being positive, things can only improve thereafter.

Many thanks for coming along to Aberglasney last Friday, we were very lucky with both the weather and to have a very interesting walk and talk around the garden with Joseph the head gardener.

I can't help but feel inspired with gardening enthusiasm after a visit to Aberglasney and listening to his helpful advice, who knows it may lead me becoming an average gardener, only time will tell!

I hope you all enjoyed yourselves and are looking forward to future visits to all sorts of gardens in the coming spring and summer months.

As far as the gardening talks in the village hall, I have decided to put them all on hold until at least we have a clearer view of a safe way forward, apologies for this, it's the very last thing I wanted. I will endeavour to look at walks and talks, and get back to you when I have a plan.

Finally, can I remind you that the closing date for the Virtual Christmas Show is the 7th of December, so please send your entries to llantegshow@gmail.com as soon as possible.

Also, we are desperate for show entries in the Children's section, so entries would be greatly appreciated. Please remember, you don't need to be a resident of Llanteg to enter the show.

Kind regards,

Roy

23 Nov 2020 Update

 Good evening everyone,

I hope you all had a good day and that you spent some time outdoors enjoying the best of the weather.

I've arranged a visit to Aberglasney along with a walk and talk with Joseph Atkin (Head Gardener) on Friday the 27th of November, sorry for the short notice, but it looks like from the weather perspective, then Friday may be the best day of the week.

I'm hoping that we can meet up at Aberglasney at 11am and then either have a w&t with Joseph before or after lunch, obviously social distancing and the wearing of face covering indoors applies, and if there are any other precautions in place, then I will make you aware.

As I understand, the entry fee for non members is £9:50 with vouchers to the same value and for use in the restaurant on the day, see Aberglasney notice below.

Can you tell me if you are attending on Friday please, just to give Joseph an idea of our numbers, also note that the cost of the w&t will be £60 which will come out of our existing funds.

Kind regards,

Roy   

16th Nov 2020 Update

 Good afternoon everyone,

Hope all is well with you all and that you are either in the warm, or if your outside, then your wrapped up well.

As for the Aberglasney visit, we have enough interest, so I'm looking into the weather crystal ball to find a suitable date.

So I will get back to you soon.

As for the Christmas virtual show.

We could do with a few more entries across all the categories. So we would appreciate your help please, after all it's important to raise our spirits at this time, and to show how creative you are.

Cheers,

Roy

9th Nov 2020 Update

 Good evening everyone,

I really wish it had been a better day, what dreadful weather, still it's good to be able to move around a little! 

With regard to our planned gardening talk with Joseph Atkin on Wednesday evening at the village hall, unfortunately since meetings are still not recommended, I've had to cancel our talk.

However, if anyone is interested in a talk and walk around Aberglasney in the coming weeks, then please get back to me and I will ask Joseph for a suitable date and time?

Many thanks to everyone who helped in weeding and cleaning up the Old School Garden recently, unfortunately we had to defer our last planned session because of lock down, but I'm sure there will be other opportunities.

Thanks also to Pauline and Ken for planting the eighty bulbs (bluebells and snowdrops etc) and six fruit bushes we received from Keep Wales Tidy and all planted at the OSG.

In addition, many thanks to Roger and the Amroth Community Council for improving the access to the OSG and for the work at the Clay Pit entrance and Mountain Chapel, along with the new seating near Lansdowne and Stanwell. 

If you're still looking for gardening inspiration, then have a look at the following, although others gardens/gardeners are available on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_UOU_Qd6DU&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Qq33VwH_RE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-NwFjiXv0I&t=886s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhY4saekvnk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3lefiNCY_Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkUmwlJ5RQ8&list=RDCMUCeaKRrrpWiQFJJmiuon2WoQ&index=11

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpVkmpQnlDc&list=RDCMUCeaKRrrpWiQFJJmiuon2WoQ&index=12

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dbd7qo6nS9g&list=RDCMUCeaKRrrpWiQFJJmiuon2WoQ&index=17

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFGpmovWOqY&list=RDCMUCeaKRrrpWiQFJJmiuon2WoQ&index=16

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNVA0eC8Ucg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfMfnCxiHos

But if that doesn't help, then what about sending a few entries into our Virtual Christmas Show, the closing date is the 7th of December, so plenty of time to create and capture your entry. The email address for entries is; llantegshow@gmail.com

Also, thanks to everyone who completed the Village questionnaire, your views are appreciated, so any further questionnaires would be greatly appreciated.

Finally, Llanteg Village Hall has been chosen as one of the Co-ops local charities to benefit from their community fund, so if you've a Co-op card then please go on line and nominate Llanteg Village Hall, the more nominations we get the better.  

Many thanks, and stay safe,

Roy.

Llanteg Virtual Winter Show 2020

 

Llanteg Christmas Virtual Gardening/Craft/Photography/Painting Show

Please be aware you don't have to be resident in Llanteg to enter, or be an expert in a particular field.

For all entries, you should email a photograph of your produce/creation along with your entry details by 10am on the 7^th of December 2020 (closing date).

All virtual winners will be posted on the Llanteg Facebook page and website and blog in late December.

Some of the winning entries in each category could be included in a virtual 2021 calendar, which is under consideration.

Virtual Rules

All entries will be judged by independent anonymous judges, their decision will be final.

No entries will be considered if they are submitted after the closing date/time.

Virtual Certificates shall be awarded for First, Second and Third places in each category, and there will be no entry fee or prizes.

To enter just send an email to llantegshow@gmail.com and the entries should include the following:-

·        Your name (age for children).

·        Picture of your show entry.

·        The category your entry is being submitted into.

·        The first line of your address.

·        You can submit two entries (photos) in each category.

·        Only photographs can be submitted.

·        A category is defined as Art or Craft etc.

Note if you don’t want your photograph (entry) on our Face book page and or website and blog etc, then please say so.

Here's a breakdown of what you can enter:- 

For Children’s Categories:
Age 5 & under

Age 6 – 11

Age 12 - 15

Art

·           Christmas card either a drawing or painting.

Craft

·           Christmas decoration made from natural materials like:- driftwood/pebbles/leaves/pine cones etc.

Photography

·           Photograph of one or more of the following; wildlife, a plant or your pet, but photographed in your garden/home.

Cookery

·           Any cookery creation with a Christmas theme and decorated by you.

 

Adult 16 & over

 

Art

·           Recreate a Christmas song or carol in fancy dress or a photographic image.

·           Draw or paint a winter scene with an animal or inanimate object as the focus.

Craft

·           Make a Christmas door decoration from natural materials.

·           Make a Christmas decoration from driftwood or wood found in your garden or hedgerow

Photography

·           Photograph of an Autumn/Winter scene you have created within your garden or community area.

·           Photograph of any wildlife found in your garden or community area.

Floral Art

·           Create a floral display in a tea cup/mug.

·           Create a table centrepiece decoration from greenery etc.

Flowers and Vegetables

·           Take a picture of any flower(s) growing in your garden during the Autumn/Winter.

·           Take a picture of any vegetable(s) growing in your garden during the Autumn/Winter.

 

Digital Craft

·           Create a digital logo for Llanteg Gardening Group.

 

13 October 2020 Update

 Good afternoon everyone,

I hope you are well and not too busy, although we can at least see blue sky and the , so just enjoy!

If you step outside tonight, then have a look in the Eastern sky and the bright red planet (Mars), will be the brightest it's been since 2003, or you can wait till 2052 (year).

Meanwhile on earth, I have confirmed a visit to Llwyngarreg garden on Saturday the 17th of October and starting at 2pm, anyone wishing to come along can either meet us at Llwyngarreg or we can travel in convoy from the village hall (leaving at 1:15pm). The charge is £5, and we can wear masks, apply social distancing, and sanitize.....

Just take care.

Many thanks to all who cut and weeded the Old School Garden (OSG) last Saturday, it really is looking good now, and hopefully in the spring the snowdrops and bluebells will have a chance to bloom again. There is a little more cutting and weeding to do, so we are planning another session on Saturday the 24th of October and between 1pm and 4pm, so any help would be appreciated.

Also, we have some fruit bushes to plant out and there are a few apple tree's on their way from Keep Wales Tidy, so we can create a community orchard, and in the spring there is a plan to sow some wild flowers, so hence the need to cut back the brambles and ivy etc at the OSG.

As for our zoom meeting on Friday, can we discuss having a virtual Christmas show and along the lines of the summer show please, we should have some more information regarding the village hall ? 

Finally, if you are interested in cutting the weeds/grass at Crunwere churchyard, then please get in touch?

Kind regards,

Roy

8 Oct 2020 Update

 Good day everyone,

Many thanks to all who submitted entries into the virtual show and for the quality and creativity of your entries, all of which is much appreciated.

 

The judges have now made their choices and thanks go to all the judges for their time and effort in making their decisions, well done.

Appreciation also goes to Ruth Roberts for creating the virtual show blog and for all the virtual certificates and for hosting our zoom meeting, and making this all work. Can’t thank you enough Ruth!

 

When you open the virtual show blog (link below), then you can see all the entries and the judges choices, the virtual certificates are available to print, although Ruth will be emailing all certificates to the successful entrants.

https://llantegshow2020.blogspot.com/?zx=cfda33eda336c93b

If I’ve missed any entries, then my sincere apologies! 

We are contemplating holding a Christmas Virtual Gardening – Craft – Photography – Painting show, more information to follow soon. Any suggestions are welcome. 

 

As for the winter gardening talks (see below), the hall remains closed at the moment, so not looking good for the talks!

The WAG is strongly advising us to carry out activities digitally and to avoid indoor activities such as meetings.

So with this in mind and after contacting Liz and Paul O'Neill, we've had to cancel the talk on the 21st of October. 

However, if you're interested in visiting Llwyngarreg on Saturday the 17th of October and at 2pm, then please get back to me ASAP. If you've not visited before, then use the link below to have a preview. 

https://youtu.be/d-NwFjiXv0I

October 21^st         Paul/Liz O’Neill (Llwyngarreg) Plants we’ve Killed

November 11^th      Joseph Atkin (Aberglasney) Title to be confirmed

December 9^th        Carole Whittaker (Glynbach) History of Medicinal Qualities of Monardas

January 20^th       Jake Rayson (Forest Garden Wales) the Making of a Forest Garden

February 17^th       Piers Lunt (Abergwili) Designing Hidden History

March 10^th            Trish Cormack (Llanteg GG) No Dig

April **                 Bryony (Georgina’s daughter) Growing Crops by Aeroponic Methods

 

With regard to the Old School Garden clean up. Then weather permitting, it should be Saturday the 10^th of October (not Sunday typo), otherwise, if the heavens open, it’s the 24^th of October and between 1pm and 4pm.

Any time you can spare us would be a bonus, as long as you can identify weeds and in particular brambles, and apply social distance rules!

Also, there is a plan to cut around the churchyard, date and time to be announced, so if you've got the bug by then (sorry not Covid), then you are more than welcome.

Finally, our Gardening Group zoom meeting is on Friday the 16th of October and at 7pm.

Trish is kindly hosting this for us. 

2 Oct 2020 Update

 Good afternoon everyone,

I hope you are all well, and keeping safe from both the virus and weather?

To begin with, many thanks to all who entered the Virtual Show. We received one hundred and thirty five pictures, which are very inspiring considering our small community and the fact that we didn’t publicise the show until midsummer.

I’m sure that when you see the entries you will be impressed by the quality of the subject matter, and both the creativity and talent there is within the community.

The judges are now starting off the process of making their choices, so we will get back to you as soon as is practicable.

Please don’t forget, If you do not want your pictures and names publicised then e-mail Roy.james1536@gmail.com

 

As far as winter gardening talks, there is a plan in place, but bearing in mind there may be restrictions preventing us from meeting up at the hall, so will update you closer to the dates.

 

The autumn / winter talks look like this:

October 21^st                Paul/Liz O’Neill (Llwyngarreg) Plants we’ve Killed

November 11^th            Joseph Atkin (Aberglasney) Title to be confirmed

December 9^th               Carole Whittaker (Glynbach) History of Medicinal Qualities of Monardas

January 20^th                 Jake Rayson (Forest Garden Wales) The Making of a Forest Garden

February 17^th               Piers Lunt (Abergwili) Designing Hidden History

March 10^th                   Trish Cormack (Llanteg GG) No Dig

April **                        Bryony (Georgina’s daughter) Growing Crops by Aeroponic Methods

 

During the lockdown period a number of us have enjoyed the Old School Garden, Claypits, Mountain Chapel and Footpaths.

With this in mind, it has been suggested by Roger Harries and Gill and Trevor Bendall that we get together to remove brambles and weeds from the Old School Garden. So weather and virus permitting! If you could please spare some time either on Sunday the 10^th or 24^th of October and anytime between 1pm and 4pm, then this would be appreciated. Although, if these dates and times don’t work for you, then any time you can spare removing brambles, weeding and raking paths, would be absolutely wonderful.

So why start with the Old School Garden? Earlier in the year Keep Wales Tidy awarded the village some wild flower seeds and fruit trees etc and we’re hoping to sow/plant these in part of the OSG. In addition, Trevor has kindly offered to help us with wild flowers.

 

With regard to an annual Gardening Group meeting at the Village Hall , we are still awaiting more information from the WAG. In the interim I suggest we have a zoom meeting on the week commencing the 12^th of October, the exact details to follow, once I've spoken to Trish. If you have any ideas for the agenda, then please get back to me soon.

Some suggestions:

Llanteg Gardening Group YouTube channel.

Winter garden visits instead of talks?

Allotments and grant funding?

Virtual Winter Show with a Winter/Christmas theme?

Finally, Polly Raymond and family are moving from the village, many thanks Polly for all you have done to raise funds for the Gardening Group and support community activities, good luck, take care! 

 

Kind regards,

Roy

9 Sept 2020 Update

 Good day everyone,

I hope that you are all in good health and not fed up with social distancing and all that now goes with life at this time, although on the bright side its not raining!

With regard to the Village Hall. We are aiming to open on the 1st of October, although this would be to groups that can easily socially distance (2 metres apart). Therefore our gardening talks could perhaps go ahead, providing we are sensible. 

With this in mind, can each of you please tell me if you would be able to attend one or more of these gardening talks in the hall over the winter months?

I appreciate that circumstances could change, so don't get concerned about changing your mind later.

Moreover, we could have our annual Gardening Group meeting in the hall, provided we had an idea of the numbers attending in advance, and we apply some rules (common sense).  

However, if all else fails and you can't attend the hall, or we go into a local lockdown!

Then Trish has kindly set up a YouTube channel for us, and provided we have permission in place, then you could have access to Llanteg Gardening Group channel and view the gardening talks at home.

Fingers crossed and provided you have a good internet connection?

Unfortunately our planned visit to Panteg Llandewi Velfrey on Saturday the 12th of September has had to be cancelled, although there will be opportunities to visit in the future I'm sure.

If you would like to visit Llwyngarreg on your own or a small group then as far as I know Paul and Liz's gardens are open untill the end of October.

The winter gardening talks look like this at the moment, exact dates and confirmation by the speakers to follow:

Paul & Liz O'Neill (Llwyngarreg) "Plants we've Killed" October **

Joseph Atkin (Aberglasney) November **

Carole Whittaker (Glyn Bach Llangolman) "History of Medical Qualities of Monardas" December **  

Jake Raysson (Forest Garden Wales) "Introduction to Forest Gardening" January **  

Piers Lunt (Abergwilli) "Designing Hidden Gardens" February **

Trish Cormack "No Dig", March **

The Virtual Gardening Show entries are coming in slowly, so submit your entries soon please, we don't have entries in any of the children's sections which would be appreciated, the closing date for all entries is the 21st of September. 

If there is anyone who is looking for an allotment in the area, or has land suitable for allotments, then can you get back to me please?

In the spring, Georgina's daughter Bryony is interested in giving us a talk about growing crops by aeroponic methods and tree growth/cloning. 

Thanks Bryony, looking forward to the talk, the date is yet to be decided.

Finally, this is a message from Penny Lester, thanks Penny:

I was wondering if anyone in the Club would be interested in picking sloes to make sloe gin. My hedges are thick with them this year and if anyone would like to get some, they would be very welcome to pop round and pick them?

My number is 07950 204075 and a quick call would be great so I could point out the best place for parking and picking.

All the best,

Penny.

Kind regards,

Roy

24 Aug 2020 Update

 Good afternoon everyone,

I hope you are all in good health, and that your flower and vegetable gardens have managed to survive the late summer weather?

Many thanks to those who managed to join us on our first zoom meeting on the 19th of August. If you've time, then I would appreciate feedback, positive or otherwise regarding how you feel about using zoom as a means of communicating?

These are my brief notes from our Gardening Group meeting:

The hall remains closed, though we await information from the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) and our insurers that will allow us to safely re-open the place to the public sometime soon!

Our finances are healthy, and as a consequence of lock down etc, then there is no need to ask you all for an annual membership.

The only visit remaining on our summer calendar was to Panteg Llanddewi Velfrey on the 12th of September starting at 2pm. However, I will confirm if this can go ahead nearer the date, so that those who wish to attend can make arrangements.

As for possible winter gardening talks, we are aiming to hold them in the village hall, although this is dependent on the WAG instructions and our insurers, along with your individual requirements.

For example; We could zoom or podcast the gardening talks to those who wish to remain at home, and have a talk to a socially distancing audience at the hall? This all depends on a number of factors, most of which is developing day by day.

Talks so far include: Paul & Liz O'Neill Llwyngarreg "Plants we've Killed" - Piers Lunt Abergwili "Designing Hidden Gardens" - Trish Cormack "No Dig" - Caroline Whittaker Glyn Bach Llangolman "History of Medical Qualities of Monardas" - Jake Rayson Forest Garden Wales - "Introduction to Forest Gardening" (https://bit.ly/backyard-forest-playlist)

Other speakers who have yet to reply include, Joseph Atkin Aberglasney - Huw Richards Huw's Nursery....

The Virtual Gardening Show is seeing a number of entries (ok 6 is a number), so please submit your entries soon, after all it's only a bit fun, and not to be taken too seriously. Although the entries for the Art creation of a famous painting are looking very interesting, and I only wish I could share them all with you!

.

Proposed gardening visits in 2021 include: Llwyngarreg - Glyn Bach - Panteg - Upton Castle - Stackpole Walled Garden - Aberglasney - Abergwili - Picton Castle - Colby Lodge - Nantyietau St Clears.

 Finally, below is the link to the BBC Gardeners Question Time.

Kind regards, 

Roy