Gardeners' Question Time comes to Claygate.

Following an invitation from Claygate Gardening Society, on 22nd July 350 people from Claygate and beyond had a very entertaining evening at Holy Trinity Church at a recording of two episodes of GQT.  A lively and enthusiastic audience posed a wide variety of gardening and plant-related questions to Bob Flowerdew, Pippa Greenwood and Juliet Sargeant, chaired by Kathy Clugston. Topics included a mature olive tree shedding its leaves, a Trachelospermum that refuses to flower, difficulty growing Hollyhocks, the role of fungi in the garden and the sometimes impracticality of garden designs.  It was also interesting to see how a radio show such as this is put together.

It was a great example of the village coming together to make an event a success.  Organised by Claygate Gardening Society members, contributors included both Claygate’s Women’s Institutes who provided light refreshments.  Patrick Bateman, Vicar of Holy Trinity, made the church available at no cost and his staff were very supportive.   The net proceeds of the evening will be donated to charities supported by Holy Trinity Church.

The two programmes will be broadcast on Friday 29th August at 15.00 (repeated Sunday 31st at 14.00) and Friday 26th September (repeated Sunday 28th).  The first will be from “Claygate”, the second from “Elmbridge”.