2023 Open Gardens
A very big thank you to all who opened their gardens on an extremely hot and humid Sunday (25th June 2023), and another big thank you to all the visitors who braved the heat to visit. Refreshments in the cool church were very welcome! Understandably, visitor numbers were down on the last Open Gardens (in 2019) but we are delighted to say that £378 was raised, split between Cambridge Sustainable Food and the Woodland Trust.

2023 Best Kept Front Garden Competition
Once again, Peter Jackson from Scotsdales very kindly came along to do the final judging for this year’s competition. Many congratulations to the following (and to all who won best in area!):

• First place: 42 Hillfield (Allan Newman and Lena Beale)
• Second place: 18 St. Laurence Rd (Ian and Maria Matthews)
• Third place: 47 High Street (Christine Mead)

The winner will be presented with the Mark Howard Memorial Cup at the Village Show in September.

2023 Village Show
This year’s Village Show will be on Saturday 9th September 2023. In August, every house in the village will receive a copy of the show schedule. We do hope as many as possible will enter (even if only 1 item!) and come along to view the show in the afternoon to view the exhibits, have some refreshments. enter the raffle and see the prizegiving.  For those already thinking about your entries, the draft programme is already online here.

Reminder: Return of cups
If you won a cup, or cups, at last year’s show, please can you return them by the end of July in order for them to be engraved. Please give them to Ian Constable, or contact us, if you have any questions.

Tips and hints for August
1. Trim hedges (but be mindful of nesting birds!).
2. Take cuttings from tender plants (e.g. fuchsias, pelargoniums).
3. Trim lavender when the flower heads have faded.
4. Lift and dry onions.

Plant Sale and Swap
Once again we were blessed with a lovely morning for the annual plant sale and swap on Sunday 21st May 2023. Lots of plants bought, swapped and sold and plenty of cakes, books and produce were sold. Many enjoyed fresh scones, a drink and chatting to friends both inside and out. Thank you to all who supported the event.

2023 Best Kept Front Garden Competition
The preliminary judging for the best front garden competition will be done by the FGA committee over the next few weeks. We are delighted that Peter Jackson from Scotsdales will be joining us on Wednesday 12th July 2023 to judge the shortlisted gardens and select the winner. The Foxton resident with best kept front garden will be awarded the Mark Howard Memorial Cup at the Village Show in September.

2023 Village Show
This year’s Village Show will be on Saturday 9th September 2023. In August, every house in the village will receive a copy of the show schedule. We do hope as many as possible will enter (even if only 1 item!) and come along to view the show in the afternoon. Stay tuned for more news about the 2023 show!

Return of cups
If you won a cup, or cups, at last year’s show, please can you return them by the end of July in order for them to be engraved. Please give them to Ian Constable, or contact us, if you have any questions.

Tips and hints for July
1. Deadhead flowers as they fade.
2. Divide bearded irises.
3. Layer and take cuttings from carnations and pinks.
4. Take semi ripe cuttings from shrubs.