Monday April 18 (NB Date) - PETER BIRCHALL - Pete the Pond

The importance of a wildlife pond

In 2000 Peter Birchall became the official Pond Warden of his local area, Willingdon and Jevington in East Sussex when he joined the Pond Warden scheme - set up by BTCV and Southern Water to help save Britain's ponds. This started him on the road to building ponds and small lakes and also to develop and grow native aquatic plants, which he now supplies as part of his pond service.

He will tell us about: history of ponds, why we should have one and how to make and maintain it. He will talk about insect life, amphibians and the many plants grown in a pond including edible ones.

Monday March 28 - FRAN SAUNDERS Seedy Sunday

Why we should save seeds.

Fran will talk on The History of Seedy Sunday and explain the importance of saving seeds and how our choices are being taken away. She will show some very simple seed saving techniques, and will bring some tomato seeds and possibly some heritage tomato plants.>/p>

NB Seedy Sunday in Hove on Feb 6th

Monday February 28 - JAN JENKINS Holistic Gardening

achieving a sustainable balance with nature using organic gardening techniques.

Jan Jenkins organic gardener, allotmenteer and novice bee guardian will discuss how to successfully achieve a balance between the gardener and garden with wild life to include insects, reptiles, mammals and birds.

Broad principles, strategies, practical cultural advice and specific plants will be recommended to encourage a sustainable balance.

January 31 Satish Kumar "Earth Pilgrim" DVD

Satish Kumar takes us on a journey through the seasons of Dartmoor and explores our deep and profound relationship with the natural world. It is an Eastern view of the West, seen through the eyes of Satish Kumar who is a world-renowned conservationist. It portrays an engrossing account of Satish Kumar's philosophy and reverence for the living Earth.

November 29 Peter Johnson (Headmaster of Birdham Primary School)

"Sustainability and how it effects the school"

Over the last decade the school grounds have been developed as an outdoor classroom containing 5 learning Zones.

Birdham Primary School has won several awards and was a 2009 finalist in the National Teaching Awards in the South East of England. Many other schools visit to glean information and ideas.

October 25 AGM and Harvest Supper

Bring a seasonal dish to share plus your own plates, glasses, etc. No charge for the evening. Do bring good plants to exchange and seeds to share.

And do bring your subscription for next year please!

September 27 Chris Howkins "In partnership with nature?"

First indoor meeting of Autumn season

Chris Howkins is a well known Ethnobotanist, Writer, Publisher and Illustrator and has researched information on the use of plants in Britain for over forty years, so his database is now reckoned to be the third largest on the subject in the country. It includes material on both practical and ritual usages: from the sacred plants of ancient religions through to the Ivy and Mistletoe at Christmas and for the practical uses, everything from food and medicine, furniture and dozens of everyday commodities.

Chris will talk to us about our EARLY SAXON ancestors' relationship with the land of West Sussex and how the intervening years have changed our perception and relationship with crops and gardening practices...

Wednesday August 25 Chidmere Gardens

Chidham Lane,Chidham,Chichester,West Sussex, PO18 8TD We are delighted to have organised a private visit to these lovely local gardens. First opened in 1935, the garden underwent a large refurbishment several years ago and has several new features. Set in 33 acres the 60 foot herbaceous border has been replanted this year, a rose garden which should be in full flower, a white garden, 3orchards which contain 110 different varieties of apples, woodland area, a 5 acre Pond (Yes 5 acres!) which has varieties of grasses and dogwood planted around some of the perimeter. We will be shown round the gardens by one of the gardeners.

2.15 for 2.30 pm start Cost £2.30

Monday July 19 Visit to Monica Lucas garden

The Birches, 19 Selsey Road, Sidlesham, PO20 7NF.

A chance to see the 1 acre garden Monica talked about in September last year. Her garden is full of plants to attract honey bees and butterflies and has a large herbaceous border and she employs a colour co-ordinated planting.. Monica will be selling plants and honey for us to buy.

6.45pm for 7.00pm start. £2.00 donation for W Sussex Snowdrop Trust

Saturday 5th June 1pm Visit to an Eco house

COGS members have been invited to an informal visit to Ted and Pam Osborne's eco house at Hunston (on the way to Church Norton). They will show us round their home and explain the renovations they have done.

1.00 pm for approx 30 mins. Numbers limited. (Please call Vee 07789 013472 to reserve a place )

Saturday 5th June 1-5pm Private visit to two gardens in Church Norton

COGS members are invited to visit two gardens in Church Norton near Selsey.

Parking is very limited so please share cars where possible. To find us take the B2145 towards Selsey. Turn left to Church Norton (Rectory Lane) and then take the first right into Grange Lane and continue for about 1/2 mile. At the time of writing there is no road sign for Grange Lane, so look out for the COGS signs.

Tea & cakes in aid of COGS funds.

Susan Maguire's garden at Fieldings, Grange Lane, Church Norton, PO20 9DS

Fully organic one acre plot with a no dig vegetable garden, fruit cage, greenhouses, pond, wild garden and mature shrubs, roses and perennials.

Pat & Colin Evans' garden at White Gates, Grange Lane, Church Norton PO20 9DS.

1/3 acre plot with a small greenhouse and a fruit cage, some mature and several newly planted beds and one currently being converted from the old vegetable beds. Also 1 acre 'wild-ish' area comprising native trees, a tiny orchard and a new vegetable garden with raised beds surrounded by a willow fedge.

Monday May 24 May Spring Fling with Quiz

Do come, with a homemade (if possible) dish to share, your own cutlery, plates and glasses, and bring plants which you would like to pass on to others. You may find someone else has brought a plant which you really want and have been searching for ...

Monday April 26 Vegetable growing - tips from a head gardener - Mark Saunders

Mark has been head gardener at Fittleworth House for many years. He will give us helpful tips on how to grow vegetables including growing them in pots and containers, and the new varieties of vegetables available now. He will talk about flowers too, and will answer questions. Mark has a website - www.gardenlifephotos.com where you can read his blog and follow what is happening in his garden. He is a keen photographer and will be showing photos during the evening.

Read Mark's A to Z here!

Monday March 29 Using the non-dig method on a smallholding - Maggie Haynes

Maggie Haynes from Tuppenny Farm will come and talk to us about the latest developments on her smallholding. She reverted to using a non dig method of cultivating her fruit and vegetables many months ago and will talk about its efficacy. Several COGS members had a fascinating visit to Maggie's Farm in 2008 and it will be interesting to hear what has been happening since then.

Monday February 22 Dynamic, Rigid and Dying - the coastal areas of West Sussex - Andrew Lawrence

Andrew Lawrence is the National Trust coastal warden for West Sussex and he will tell us about the different environments of East Head, Bosham and Climping. He will talk about what plants grow on shingle, sand dunes and salt marsh and muddy conditions. He will give us an up date on the changing climate in our area.

Monday January 25 A Farm for the Future DVD (Shown on BBC2 Feb 2009)

A chance to see the film that shows how modern farming methods have to change. Presenter and co-producer Rebecca Hosking explores the importance of oil in farming and the potential impact of peak oil. The film has a passionate narrative centered on Rebecca's small family farm in South West England and how it can manage the transition away from a fossil fuel economy. Colin Campbell and Richard Heinberg contribute, permaculture, biofuels, biodiversity, forest gardens, gardening vs farming, industrial farming and no till farming are all covered. Present methods cannot go on feeding the UK and this film concentrates on the necessity to find a new way to feed the nation.
(We will have a short discussion after the DVD)

Monday November 30 Rosemary Moon - Ready Steady Cook

How creative can you be with garden produce at the end of November? Bring along a small amount of your own fruit or veg, or something seasonal and local, and Chichester-based cookery writer Rosemary Moon will create some delicious recipes on the spot. There will also be ideas for simple seasonings to bring life and vigour to cold months cookery. An evening of great tasting fun.

Monday Oct 26 Harvest Supper

Monday September 28 Monica Lucas - The Beekeepers Gardens

Monica Lucas, a local beekeeper, will talk about the plants that we can grow in our gardens to attract the honey bees without which the human race will not survive. She will also tell us about diseases that the honeybees are at present suffering from. Monica will also bring plants for us to buy.

Monday August 10 (Meet at 6.30 for 6.45 start)

Visit to St James Allotment, St James Road, Chichester

An opportunity to look at allotments and talk to some of the owners and see a variety of methods of growing vegetables and flowers. If time we may go to another allotment site.
Meet at St James allotments main gate (opposite small Tesco) at 6.30.
Please ring Vee to book a place 01243 780518

Thursday July 9th (Arrive 6.30 for 6.45 start.)

Visit to Tim and Maddy Harland's Permaculture Garden. East Meon

Set in a plot of half an acre, the permaculture garden was planted in the early 1990s. It includes over 60 fruit and nut trees, a raised bed area with annual veg, a developing forest garden area with ground cover, fruit and nut bushes and a mixture of top fruit, a native layered hedgerow, wildlife ponds and wildflower meadows. The house itself is an eco-renovated 19 century flint house with passive solar design, thermal mass and evacuated solar heating tubes for water. Tim will give us a garden tour with explanations of why the elements are designed in various ways, what worked and what didn't plus an opportunity for questions.
Cost £5 to include cup of tea.
Please ring Vee Cowan 01243 780518 to book a place + directions

Sunday June 28 2pm to 5pm Garden Trail

The Great Green Garden Trail is brought to you by Transition Chichester and Chichester Organic Gardening Society. It aims to enthuse and inspire visitors with natural kitchen gardening and wildlife conservation. Refreshments will be available in many of the gardens. We are hoping to repeat the event next year and would love more gardens so, if you would like to join in, please be in touch. For more information call Kate on 01243 787827 or email Kate at katesabin@phonecoop.coop.
Click here to download leaflet (530kB)

Monday June 15 (arrive 6.45 for 7.00) Visit to Fittleworth

A mature 3 acre garden near Petworth. Magnificent cedar, rose garden, lawns and mixed border, fountain. There are several new features: a wildlife pond, rose bed, rose garden and a new orchard. We will be shown round the gardens and there will be a demonstration of what to do in the vegetable garden. £3 entrance.
Meet in car park at 6.45 (please can we take as few cars as possible.)

Monday May 18 Spring Fling, Plant swop, and Quiz

We hope for a good number for this popular evening: an opportunity to acquire, or pass on, some plants, or seeds (also labelled), and exchange news.
As usual, please bring your own plates, glasses, cutlery; and a dish or two to share. Local food where possible. There will be a plant-based Quiz, with a prize for the winning team.

Monday 27 April - Nick Robinson - Diversity in the Organic Garden

Nick Robinson worked at Yalding Gardens in Kent for 10 years, starting as a student and ending up as head gardener. He now works in conservation in the High Weald. Nick will talk about natural pest and disease control, propagation and seed saving plus pass on some valuable tips.

Monday 30 March : Ganesh - Organic Gardening

Ganesh runs willow making workshops for adults and children and he is involved with ecological and environmental projects both in schools and the private sector. He runs a wide range of activities including teaching Organic Veggie Growing in Schools and will talk tonight on organic gardening.

Monday 23 February - Discussion Evening - Transition towns

Discussion Groups on Transition Towns

Following on from Tom Broughton's talk in September, we decided at the AGM to discuss ways we can bring about better community living. COGS can play a role in helping people about organic gardening and new members will have an opportunity to express their needs as well as people pooling ideas they have come up with.

Monday 26 January - Back to our roots

Sustainable food and medicine from mother Earth! Steve Taylor

Steve Taylor is a practicing Herbalist who has a passion for our local native flora. He is attempting to reinvigorate the traditions of our ancestors by once again celebrating and using the healing potential of the foods and herbs that share our environment and gardens. This is a way of life familiar to our grand-parents but generally lost to us. The sustainable vision of the future must include making use of all that nature freely provides. If we can learn how to benefit from the harvest that comes from our own environment, we can relinquish our over dependence on unsustainable systems of nutrition and medicine that have grown up out of a need for profit rather than a desire for harmony with our fellow creatures and plants. Join him in exploring this vision of healing for the 21st Century.