THE speaker at the September meeting was Dr John Page, Convenor of the History of Rock and Alpine Gardening Study Group of the Alpine Garden Society.

Welcomed for a return visit to Mickleton by Chairman, Pat Cook, Dr Page gave an illustrated talk on, “The Contemporary Alpine Garden”.

Tracing the evolution of rock and alpine gardening in Britain, with influences from around the world, rocks – in situ or introduced, were initially used to simulate natural geological forms for the cultivation of alpines. Through the pursuits of plant-hunters to mainland Europe, China and Burma, the increase in alpines has seen a development in the number of techniques in which the plants can be grown, including raised beds or troughs, in prepared peat or bog gardens, in walls or in an alpine lawn. Recent developments include the use of tufa and, as favoured by many specialist alpine plant growers in Britain, the crevice garden, with a fine example now gracing the Alpine Garden Society headquarters in Pershore. Further afield, Dr Page drew our attention to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, with the use of rocks with cascades and streams, and to the growth of alpines in the new Alpine House in Kew Gardens, specifically designed to create the cool, dry and windy conditions favoured by alpine plants.

Members were appreciative not only of Dr Page’s wealth of knowledge but his excellent photographic illustrations. To conclude the evening he answered members’ questions and judged the competition for the month, ‘An alpine plant or flower’. The winning entry (Saponaria x Olivana) was submitted by Susan Ward. Second was Pat Bell’s ‘Sempervivum’.

The Chairman, together with June Howse, the Show Secretary, thanked all those who had contributed to the successful staging of the Annual Flower, Produce and Handicraft Show in August. Thoughts and ideas for additional class entries for the Spring and Annual Shows in 2015 should be submitted to June for consideration.

Members were reminded of the AGM and Annual Supper in November, with the need to form a new committee and appoint a new Chairman. Tickets for the supper are now on sale. Members who may wish to join the Committee should approach Pat for further details.

Our next meeting is on Wednesday, October 15 in King George’s Hall at 7.30pm when Ross Barber, from Ragley Hall will be talking about roses. New members and visitors will be welcome.