The June meeting saw members coming together, not only for an interesting talk, but also to show and share their horticultural, culinary and photographic talents. The Members Table Show in June is the second show of the year. Members entered classes which showcased their skills in growing and displaying fruit, vegetables, plants and flowers. There were also classes for photography and cake making. Organised by the Waveney Gardeners Club Show Manager, Ken Abel, there were 20 classes in the show. Each one was scrutinised by the very experienced show judge Jan Lovell.
While Jan made her deliberations, members listened to an eclectic talk given by Anne Edwards from the John Innes Centre in Norwich. Anne, has worked at the centre for many years and is currently conducting research in to Lathyrus sativus, a drought tolerant member of the pea family.
The centre, now based at Colney near Norwich, started life in 1864 with a bequest from John Innes. Innes was a property developer and philanthropist who donated the bulk of his estate to the founding of a school devoted to the ‘science and art of horticulture’.
The school, which moved a number of times with some names changes, gradually became a centre of knowledge and excellence on the science of all things plant. William Bateson (1861-1926) the ‘father of genetics’ developed his theories at the centre. The John Innes Centre is now internationally renowned and has been joined by a number of other specialist organisations at Colney.
After Anne finished her talk, Jan Lovell presented trophies to each of the members who has won the show classes. More photos in our Show Gallery
