TAGS Social Events

TAGS has proved to be a good way of making friends as well as learning about gardening and having an allotment.
 

Tuesday 16th April 9.30am-6.00pm TAGS coach trip to Caerhayes Castle Gardens. Please email topshamags@gmail.com or phone 877318 to book.

TAGS OPEN GARDENS - Friday 23rd June from 2pm to 4pm

Three TAGS members gardens were open on the afternoon of Friday 23rd June, numbers 9 Grove Hill, 16 Grove Hill  and 21 Grove Hill.

We started the afternoon at number 9 as there are chickens who live there and they enjoy an afternoon walk around their estate so we visited their garden between 2pm and 3pm then the lovely girls were able to have a peaceful walk afterwards.  TAGS Members were invited to tea and coffee at number 21.

All three gardens were a wonderful show of colour and an amazing variety of plants and the sun was shining and we all had a lovely afternoon. 

Usually we organise three trips to gardens, usually including one to RHS Rosemoor where we can take advantage of our affiliation to the RHS by offering free entrance. Most of the trips are by coach.

We also organise at least 3 winter events, usually talks by garden experts on a wide range of subjects. We often host a “Gardeners Question Time” with 3 local garden experts on the panel.  During COVID these moved to Zoom, but we have resumed talks in St Nicks as well as having Zoom talks.

As an Affiliated member, the Society has a card available for Members to borrow, which permits half price entry for 2 people to RHS Wisley, Rosemoor, Bridgewater, Hyde Hall and Harlow Carr.
Contact Social Secretaries on topshamags@gmail.co.uk or 877318 to borrow the card.

If you have any ideas for trip or talks then we would be pleased to hear them, just email topshamags@gmail.com.

Also if you would like to go on any of the trips then please either email topshamags@gmail.com or phone the Social Secretaries on 01392 877318. We prefer payment to be made at least 2 weeks before the trips, some do get sold out so don't leave it too late. Cash or cheques made payable to Topsham Allotments and Gardens can be left in the Trading Hut or sent to the Social Secretaries at 67 Newcourt Road, Topsham EX3 0BU, but the easiest way to pay is by bank transfer, details will be provided when you book.
Members have priority in the first instance. If you would like to go on these trips please email topshamags@gmail.com and we can update you with further details nearer the time.

It is not necessary to book our talks in advance, but if COVID flares again this may be necessary as numbers may be limited. We would love it if you stay for a chat afterwards over tea, coffee and a biscuit. Any Zoom talks will have to be booked by email to topshamags@gmail.com.

PLEASE BOOK AT LEAST 2 WEEKS BEFORE THE OUTINGS – PAYMENT FOR COACH TRAVEL AND ENTRANCE FEE ON BOOKING. BACS, CASH OR CHEQUES PAYABLE TO TOPSHAM ALLOTMENTS AND GARDENS. PLEASE BOOK AT THE TRADING HUT OR WITH DAVID AND STELLA McLARIN on 877318, OR EMAIL topshamags@gmail.com

Saturday 1st April - MEMBERSHIP FEES DUE.

Please pay at the Trading Hut or send to Cally Pettit, 24 Pound Lane, Topsham, EX3 0NA (enclose SAE). If you want to pay via BACS then email cjpettit@yahoo.co.uk

In view of the uncertainty surrounding any group activity while COVID restrictions in the future are unknown, please regard the following programme as indicative only and watch for further details on our website, www.topshamags.co.uk , Facebook page and emails,

Thursday 20th April - OUTING BY COACH TO ANTONY WOODLAND GARDEN WITH OPTION TO GO TO ANTONY HOUSE

Leave Holman Way car park at 9.30am, The Nelson at 9.35am. Return Topsham at about 5.30pm. Tickets for coach and garden to cost £18 for TAGS members, £19 for non members PLUS £10.45 for non National Trust members to go to Antony House.

Saturday 29th April - SEED AND PLANT SWAP at the Trading Hut at Butts Park 10.30am-12noon.

Bring any spare seeds, seedlings and plants to swap. Bring tea/coffee and enjoy a distanced chat with other members.

Wednesday 21st June - OUTING BY COACH TO MARWOOD HILL

Leave Holman Way car park at 9.30am, The Nelson at 9.35am. Return Topsham at about 5pm. Tickets for coach and garden to cost £17 for TAGS members, £18 for non members.

Friday 23rd June from 2pm to 4pm - TAGS OPEN GARDENS

We shall open three gardens on the afternoon of Friday 23rd June from 2pm until 4pm.

Numbers 9 Grove Hill, 16 Grove Hill  and 21 Grove Hill, you are invited to tea and coffee at  number 21 please bring a mug with you.

We ask folks to start the afternoon at number 9 as there are chickens who live there and they enjoy an afternoon walk around their estate so if everyone can visit their garden between 2pm and 3pm then the lovely girls can have a peaceful walk afterwards. 

Sunday 31st July - PHOTOGRAPH COMPETITION - Last day for entries.

Details to follow in the Estuary magazine and by email to members.

Friday 18th August - BBQ or picnic (venue to be advised) 6pm.

Bring your own food and drink to share. All TAGS members welcome.

Sunday 20th August - FLOWER AND VEGETABLE SHOW, MATTHEWS HALL

Staging of entries and judging in the morning. Open to the public at 2pm.

Why not give it a go, it's free to enter and free admission to the Show. All surplus produce welcome for the stall.

Tuesday 12th September - OUTING BY COACH TO RHS ROSEMOOR

Leave Holman Way car park at 9.30am, The Nelson at 9.35am. Return Topsham at about 5pm. Tickets for coach, garden and house to cost £10 for TAGS members, £11 for non members.

Wednesday 18th October – Michael Jordan of the Fungus Conservation Trust on The Good, the Bad and the Ugly 7.30pm in ST NICHOLAS CHURCH

Members £4, non members £5 including tea and coffee, or on Zoom.

Wednesday 29th November – TAGS own GQT 7.30pm in ST NICHOLAS CHURCH - GQT - Questions and Answers

Members £4, non members £5 including tea and coffee, or on Zoom.

Thursday 18th January 2024 - Topsham Wassail Time and place to be advised.

Wednesday 7th February 2024 – Becky Searle on Soil Science 7.30pm in ST NICHOLAS CHURCH

Members £4, non members £5 including tea and coffee, or on Zoom.

Tuesday 5th March 2024 - Annual General Meeting 7.30pm Council Chamber above Matthews Hall.

TAGS Programme 23-24

From Late June to early August 2021 we arranged 3 separate mornings when any member could turn up without booking to the garden or gardens of a kind member and enjoy a wander around, a chat and a cup of tea/coffee. We thank Rosie and Chris Hanvey, Jane Coleman, Sue Parr, Rosie and Paul Wiley and Celia Walker for being accommodating hosts. We are hoping to repeat this in 2023 and would welcome volunteers to open their gardens.

Programmes for previous years: 

 TAGS Programme 2022 to 23   2021-22   2020-21   2019-20   2018-19  

We work with Topsham Folk Club on the Topsham Wassail on the third Thursday in January each year when we usually host the final sing song in the Trading Hut.

If you are unable to get to our Wassail then you can celebrate your apples trees at any time using our  DIY Topsham Wassail, see OTHER USEFUL ARTICLES