298 JULY 19 - Gryffe Advertizer

Next deadline - Friday 19th July
Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk
OUTDOORS
PHOTO: The Waverley by Matt Johnston
Brighter Bridge Of Weir
THAT’S BETTER!
After the rather spectacular mishap at the end of May, when
a car belly-fl opped onto Brighter Bridge of Weir’s wee garden
on Main Street old railway bridge, the Group arranged a rapid
repair. Thanks to the help of Beaton Brothers, who provided the equipment
and the manpower to relocate the damaged safety barrier, a posse of
volunteers re-arranged the retaining stones and replaced the damaged
plants. Things are now looking almost as if it nothing happened.
Also last month, in the sad absence of the village’s usual Gala Day, the
management and staff of the Gryffe Inn arranged a Saturday barbecue and
live music day. During the course of the day, funds were raised for local
good causes, of which Brighter Bridge of Weir was one of the three chosen.
The Group received £205 in proceeds from raffles, and a further £30 of
donations.
As for July, well, the new summer plants will need to be tended to if they’re
to look at their best this year. How hard that can be depends on the weather
but, going by the last few years, it usually it tends to be a few weeks of
wistful pottering punctuated by a few days of mild panic, due to drought,
high winds or hungry livestock. Oh, and Jeremy Clarkson wannabes.
Bridge of Weir Horticultural Society
Good news for gardeners! The Flower Show will take place on Saturday
31st August at BoW Primary School. The doors will open at 12.15pm.
Members will have received their improved Show Schedule but Info is also
available for non-members on our Facebook page or by calling Clare on
01505-690678. The Schedule has been updated to reflect current trends:
vegetable growers take note!
The Society’s annual Plant Sale was held at BoW Primary School. Of
interest to the children were cacti, particularly when the Society’s cactus
expert explained that, as a pupil, he had picked up his fi rst cactus at one
of the School’s events! Now he is a renowned specialist. Children were
given small pumpkin plants to bring on at home in a sunny spot. In October
there will be a ‘pumpkin-fest’ where growers of all ages can compare their
pumpkins. More details later, here and on Facebook.
The season wound up with an enthusiastic talk from Alan Mackenzie,
President of The Scottish Orchid Society. Alan became fascinated by
orchids after he retired and now has a large collection, some of which were
on display. The Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis), is the one we know best but
there are 26,000 species around the world, requiring different growing
conditions. In the 60’s a way was found to germinate orchids by cloning
and now c. 100,000 are produced annually by European horticulturists.
On a breezy Saturday, members visited Holmes Farm, Irvine, a nursery and
garden run by plantsman, Brian Young, who is famous for his collection of
over 400 Irises. Recently Brian was runner-up for Best in Show at Gardening
Scotland. Unsurprisingly, from the array of new or unusual plants, members
soon found plants to enhance their own gardens.
Recent mixed weather conditions have not helped us gardeners, so keep an
eye on forecasts, prepare accordingly - and keep on top of those weeds!
Bridge of Weir Hillwalkers
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After a busy June schedule, July will see the group on the West Highland
way on the 8th from Drymen to Balmaha with an ascent of Conic Hill. On
14th July we are heading for Glen Coe and on 22nd July to Glen Branter for
our second visit of 2019. On 27th July, eight of us are heading for the Alps
with a trip to Saas Fee in Switzerland. Our aims are high!
We are all looking forward to a busy month of walks. Anyone interested
in joining our friendly band can follow us on Facebook or contact:
donwwsmith@gmail.com
The photos are from the ascent of Ben A’an in the Trossachs in May.