Welcome and News
The Gardens Association is for anyone interested in gardening or gardens, for those just starting out who wish to expand their gardening horizons through to those with a wealth of knowledge, for those who grow plants in containers on the windowsill or balcony to those who have acres to play with, and for those armchair gardeners who love to dream.  Click here to find out how to join us.
Our News  ​

Details of 2023 Garden Visits can be found here

The Big Help Out
Nurturing Nature in CSG

When: Monday 8th May, 2023 10.00 am – 2.00 pm
Where: The Village Green, Chalfont St Giles, HP8 4QF
Who: Everyone who wants to help but children under 16 should be accompanied by an adult.
 
Join us for an hour or two to help revitalise, enhance and improve some of the green spaces in our village and give nature a helping hand.  We champion bio-diversity and sustainability, so our aim is to plant pollinator friendly plants to boost local wildlife and bring the community together.   There are a number of areas in the village where some tlc, community involvement and a few carefully selected plants would pay dividends, making our village more attractive and creating habitats for pollinators and other wildlife. 
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To register you will need to download the App here  or email Membership@CSGGA.org

Our Christmas Tree

The Parish Council has, once again, arranged a Christmas tree trail in the village. The route of the trail is approx 3km or 30-40 minutes walk.  As one of the village organisations, the Gardens Associaiton was asked to decorate one of the trees.  The Committee, and Caroline, in particular, pulled out all the stops.  Once again our tree was decorated with natural materials mainly collected by Caroline. The flowerpot gnomes were an afternoon’s activity and the wool and red beads used to make them came from a local charity shop. 
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Our tree is located on the junction of The Deanway and Hillside Close.  There are ten trees, which have all been decorated by charities and community groups in the village. To vote for your favourite, either use the form on the link below, pick up a leaflet in the local shops or in the Chalfont St Giles Community Library. Return your form with your favourite tree and contact details to the library. Christmas Tree Trail 2022 | Chalfont St Giles Parish Council (chalfontstgiles-pc.gov.uk)

CHRISTMAS DINNER AT THE WHITE HART

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The Christmas spirit was very much in evidence at the White Hart for our Christmas Party. Our hosts, Yin and James, had laid out four large tables in an exclusive area away from the bar and, following complimentary drinks provided by the Gardens Association, we were treated to a delicious festive meal. The traditional quiz was held, and in true teacher style,  Sam “played a blinder” by repeating last year’s quiz to see if we retained knowledge – we don’t!  However, it was all for fun and chocolate coins!  

WE'RE TAKING BOOKINGS FOR OUR 5 DAY HOLIDAY TO DEVON 26-30 MAY 2023 

We have arranged to go to Devon in May 2023,  to a hotel by the sea!  Travelling by executive coach, we will stay four nights on half board basis at the 3* Best Western Livermead Cliff Hotel on the seafront at Torquay. 
We have agreed a full programme of excursions that will appeal to garden lovers and entry to the gardens is included, except for National Trust Gardens, which are free to NT members.  
£549.00 per person £69.00 single person supplement.
​For more information click here
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River Dart - We will be visiting Dartmouth and Greenway House and Gardens

Community Orchard News

PROPOSAL SENT TO THE TRUSTEES OF MILTON'S COTTAGE

We would like to create a community orchard, managed in a natural way, full of wildflowers and a haven for wildlife, a place we can all share, that can help revive forgotten skills and an interest in our fruit growing heritage. Our vision is to make the orchard a valuable addition to village life, offering the opportunity for cross generational learning and involvement in a community project.  


Click here to see the proposal and 


here for the plan.  

Why Chalfont St Giles should have a Community Orchard

RESULTS FROM THE AUTUMN SHOW

First prize and the Fenton Cup went to Caroline Jackson
Joint Secord was Chin Fenton and Heidi Nolan
Joint Third Sumitra Patel and Briony Wickenden
Click here to see full results in the October Newsletter

AUTUMN SHOW AT THE AGM - 14th October 2022

​Following the popularity of the event in 2021, we have decided to repeat the Autumn Show.  It is just for fun, please bring your exhibits to the Memorial Hall between 7.15 and 7.30.  We might have a number of very talented gardeners within our membership, but it is such fun to see what others have grown regardless of their level of experience.  So, please, try to bring at least one exhibit. 
 
Class 1    Vase of Asters, 3 blooms
Class 2    A spray of Fuschia blooms,
Class 3    Vase of Roses, 3 blooms, 1 variety
Class 4    Chrysanthemums, 3 blooms of any kind, may be mixed
Class 5    Any other flower from your garden, at least 3 stems, can be a mix of varieties
Class 6    Dahlia, 3 blooms, 1 variety
Class 7    3 Apples, dessert or cooking, 1 cultivar
Class 8    Any other fruit
Class 9    Tomatoes, same variety or 1 truss, any type, with calyx in a dish
Class 1   Trug or basket of salad plants, at least 3 varieties, not more than 60cm x 30 cm, judged for variety appearance and freshness
Class 11  1 Pumpkin / Winter squash or Gourd
Class 12  Cook’s Delight, trug or basket of mixed vegetables, at least 3 varieties not more than 60cm x 30 cm, judged for variety appearance and freshness
Class 13  Flowering Pot Plant (in flower) can be indoor or outdoor, including bulbs & orchids (max pot size 8”)
Class 14  Foliage Pot Plant – (No flowers) can be indoor or outdoor, max pot size 8 inches
Class 15 5 bunches of culinary herbs, different kinds, not varieties, named and displayed in individual containers. 
Class 16  Mixed Foliage Display (No Flowering Material) in a vase or jug.
Class 17  Cactus or succulent, pot no to exceed 20 cm
Class 18 Bonsai tree, pot not to exceed, 15 cm
Class 19 Carnivorous plant, any variety, pot not to exceed 15cm

Visit to National Memorial Arboretum and Hill Close Gardens, Warwick
​ At the end of July, we had a thoroughly enjoyable trip, brilliantly organised by Eleanor O'Connor. If you were unable to join us, both the Arboretum and Victorian gardens are certainly worth a visit.
What a gem the Hill Close gardens were. Even in this dry spell there was plenty to see. These were "real" gardens, lots of ideas to take home (and plants to buy!!) Caroline Jackson
Plans are afoot for a Christmas outing. Watch this space!   

CSGGA Holiday to the Peak District, 2022

On the first Sunday of “flaming June”, we left a rainy Chalfont St Giles, to enjoy the delights of the Peak District.  From out hotel in Buxton we visiting some fine gardens as well as Jodrell Bank.  Gardens visited included:  ​ I look forward to leading another trip next year – Torquay, at the end of May, is currently on the cards!

Community Orchard Awareness Day

​Thursday 2nd June
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​Come and find out about the proposal for a Community Orchard for Chalfont St Giles

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We are holding a Community Orchard Awareness Day
at 
 Milton’s Cottage  11.00 – 13.00.  

Fun activities for all ages 

Orchard Café 14.00 – 16.30
Reading Room Garden, High St, Chalfont Saint Giles HP8 4QH .

​ALL WELCOME! 

Children’s Competition to Make Bunting for the Queen’s Jubilee

Bunting Template

​Chalfont St Giles Gardens Association is sponsoring a competition for children and young people to design and create (sew, applique, draw or print) jubilee themed bunting flags using recycled fabric. 
 
We are inviting the children and young people of Chalfont St Giles to design and make some bunting to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.  There will be a prize for the best entry.  The bunting entries will be sewn together and displayed around the Church over the Jubilee weekend.  Adults can also join in and enter, but prizes will only be awarded to those under 18!
 
How to Enter
Using a template for the bunting which can be found here, you can decorate the front as you wish. You could:

  • Use fabric paint with a ready-made stamp or make one from a  potato or sponge;
  • Glue or sew on ribbon, felt, fabric, buttons or lace.
  • Use fabric pens to draw a picture
  • Embroider it
 
See below or click here for ideas or go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOVxBfHUAJY
 
Have fun!
 
We would like you to use recycled fabric.  While the official colours of the Jubilee is purple and platinum, we would prefer you to use red, white or blue fabric as the bunting will be used to decorate the Competitions Marquee of the Village Show in future years.  If you don’t have any suitable scraps of fabric or have any other questions, please contact membership@csgga.org
 
When your jubilee bunting is ready, please contact membership@csgga.org  ​Judging will take place on 28th May.  

Next Meeting - Thursday, 16th June – Summer Outing to Stokes Poges Memorial Gardens

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Church Lane, Stoke Poges, Slough, Berks, SL2 4NZ
Please note: it is on the 3rd Thursday of the month on this occasion.

After Frazi Cheesman’s talk about the Memorial Gardens at Stoke Poges, many members were keen to see them for themselves.  So, we have arranged a vist there for our Summer Outing. The gardens contain formal and informal water features, a colonnade, rose garden, woodland, rock garden and open parkland with stunning views across the Capability Brown landscape and Repton bridge to Stoke Park.

The gardens will be open exclusively for our visit, Franzi and her colleague will give us a guided tour and then we’ll be free to wander before regrouping to enjoy prosecco or elderflower presse and strawberry tarts. We do need to know the numbers by Thursday 9th June and there will be a small charge of £6.00 per person for entry and the tour – the refreshments are being subsidised.

​Please let Sam Patel know if you will be joining us so that we can buy the correct number of strawberry tarts!  01494 875319 sumitrardpatel@outlook.com
Please make your own way there, parking is available.  We will do our best to facilitate car shares, if necessary. Please let Briony or Sam know if you can offer a lift or would like one.  

Proposed Community Orchard

2022 is the Queen’s platinum jubilee year and we are all being encouraged to plant a tree for the jubilee. Additionally, the Government is urging us all to “plant for our planet”. Read more 

 We've set up a CSGGA Facebook Group - March 2021

Our Facebook page is open to all, not only CSGGA Members.   Anyone with an interest in gardening can join this group to discuss gardening matters, ask or answer questions about gardening and just chat all things garden! Whether you have a garden, a few plants on your windowsill or containers, join in the conversation! We’re a group of enthusiastic amateur gardeners who are sharing thoughts, knowledge and experience but any advice is not professional (unless stated otherwise). 

December 2021

​Outing to Waddesdon Manor Winter Light Festival 

On the coldest day of the year, just over 20 of us visited Waddesdon for their Christmas Lights. Perhaps it was the cold but there were mixed reviews, some preferring Kew and Wisley.  I really enjoyed it.  The sky was clear when we arrived and we watched the sun set before the lights turned the landscape into a magical wonderland – the elephants were particularly spectacular as was Waddesdon Manor.  
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Our Plant Sale - date to be confirmed in May, 2022

As things stand at the moment, we will be able to hold our annual plant sale on the Village Green again this year, so please remember to plant some extra seeds, make additional divisions and take extra cuttings in preparation! 
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