News
Plants for Health
Caroline Halfpenny
Afternoon Talk 8th February 2026 at Chart Sutton Village Hall
This was the first talk for the SVGA of 2026 and Caroline didn't disappoint. From the very start she kept us interested with her immense knowledge of fruit and plants that are beneficial to our health and environment. Starting from the soil they are grown in, to tomatoes and lettuce, various herbs, wildflowers and then to houseplants. It was so interesting that the time went too quickly and before long it was time for some questions. Caroline had even brought a pot of herbal tea for people to try if they wanted. A really enjoyable afternoon.
Flower Arranging from Your Garden/Foraging
Sue Davies
Afternoon Talk 8th March 2026 at Sutton Valence Village Hall
We were sad to hear that Sue Davies was unwell and couldn't give her talk to us on Sunday 8th March. However, we had an excellent alternative when Sophie Leathart kindly stepped in and came along to give us an excellent talk and demonstration of flower arranging with the Spring Show in mind for all flower arrangers and novices. Sophie explained how to read the instructions for the class you are entering and she showed us how to display the flowers and foliage for the best display.
The talk was very well attended and people had lots of questions at the end and were allowed to take the flowers and foliage used.
From Bramleys to Cut Flowers
Bek Bibby
Afternoon Talk 23rd March 2025 at Chart Sutton Village Hall
Bek Bibby is the co-founder of Blooming Green, a flower growing and floristry business set up on 2007 with her cousin Jen Stuart-Smith. Bek grew up on a fruit farm at Laddingford near Yalding. She studied environmental biology at university before working for nearly 20 years as a countryside conservation officer for KCC which included being a compost adviser. Running Blooming Green has been a chance for Bek to focus her various expertise on growing flowers using the no dig technique, which goes hand in hand with organic principles. In all, Bek has 30 years experience of environmentally friendly growing methods, and 17 years growing flowers for cutting. As if this isn't enough to keep her busy she has recently founded The Patch, a regenerative farm, offering work based training in horticulture for those with learning disabilities.
Our first SVGA talk using Chart Sutton Village Hall proved to be very successful with 48 people attending and some new faces too.
Bek Bibby from Blooming Green gave an interesting talk called From Bramleys to Cut Flowers. It was about how her little seed of an idea grew into her dream job with the help of family and friends and lots of arm twisting, gentle persuasion and persistence . She told us about obstacles in the early days, how she came to meet Monty Don and about her most recent venture: ‘The Patch’ offering work-based training in horticulture for those with learning disabilities.
There was very good participation in our "Flower of the Month" competion and the winner Janet took away the silver cup.
Carolyn and Bek had plant tables for those who wanted to buy something for the garden. There was a busy raffle and tea and home made cake at the end. A really successful first time at Chart Sutton Village Hall.
Boldshaves Garden Visit
Woodchurch, Ashford in Kent
16th April 2025
A group of 7 SVGA members visited Boldshaves Garden which is a lovingly restored garden and Arts and Crafts house in Woodchurch, Ashford in Kent for the bluebell walk. We were given a garden and woodland tour by the owner and tea and home made cake. A thoroughly lovely afternoon when the sun shone for us. If you are interested in going, the website address is - boldshaves.com
Sale on the Green
Chart Sutton Village Green ME17 3RP
3rd May 2025
It was a lovely sunny day on Saturday 3rd May when the annual plant sale took place on Chart Sutton Village Green to raise money for St Michaels Church.
Visit to Goddards Green
Cranbrook, Kent
September 2025
A small group of members visited Goddards Green Garden this September. The weather didn't dampen their spirits and as you can see the garden had colour even at this time of year. John Wotton took the group around to show them different parts of the garden .Their recent project is to plant an arboretum with almost 100 different types of tree and there is a mature mixed orchard of apple, pear, plum and cobnuts . The various parts of the garden are in contrasting styles : a traditional long border in front, shading into a meadow and birch grove, formality of structure in the Water Garden and they have extended their collection of camellias, hydrangeas and magnolias. There was lots to see and admire . The group were then treated to tea and cake inside the house as the weather looked doubtful . Altogether a lovely visit .
The Hop Bine & Hop Pickers of Kent
Chris Stewart
Afternoon Talk 26th October 2025 at Chart Sutton Village Hall
The SVGA talk on Sunday 26th October was at Chart Sutton Village Hall where about 50 people came along to listen to Chris Stewart talk about all things hops and hop farming. The first thing Chris told us was that the most important tool in a gardeners box should be a pair of safety glasses which he proceeded to demonstrate with a pair from his pocket. The talk was really interesting and made more so by the many anecdotes Chris added throughout together with the slides and pictures. At the end, he took a number of questions and he wasn't put off by the number of farmers attending who knew a thing or two about hops themselves. Flower of the month was won by Angela Tweddell who organises and runs the raffle with her husband Philip. The afternoon was finished off by tea and homemade cakes.
SVGA A.G.M.
Sutton Valence Village Hall Sunday 23rd November 2025
There was a very good turn out for the 2025 A.G.M. At least 40 people came along on a bright, cold Sunday afternoon to hear about the year and elect the officers for 2026. Blair (chairperson) welcomed everyone and told us about what had gone on throughout 2025. This was followed by David (the treasurer) explaining the accounts, John Killick telling the audience about the voluntary work he does one day a week with children and teachers from Sutton Valence Primary School and then Sue Killick explaining about the new website for SVGA. Tikki presented Ross (secretary) with a Christmas wreath for the fantastic work she does for the association - over and above what is required for the role.
After a break for tea and cake and the raffle, we were lucky enough to have Sue Davies show us how to put together a Christmas table centre piece with foliage, berries etc from our gardens or hedgerows. A very productive afternoon.
