Ilkley Gardeners' Association have now held their last meeting and this was hailed a great success. Some 30 people braved the cold weather and collected their bags of fifty free "Golden Anniversary" daffodil bulbs and stayed to enjoy a Christmas Horticultural Quiz, warmed with a glass of Prosecco, mince pies and great company.
Although the meetings normally start at 7.45pm, it was nearer 8pm when the Chairman called us to order as everyone was simply enjoying the company of friends. He thanked everyone who had stood on the Committee over the years, the stalwarts who provided the tea and biscuits every month as well as everyone who helped at the Stores Sheds and a Vote of Thanks was given from the floor. In addition to those present receiving their bulbs, a tub of the Golden Anniversary Daffodils was presented to both Anne Graham who helped found the Association 50 years ago, and to Bob Rowe who is the last President of the group. Both have thanked the membership for thinking of them.
Following on from the 50 Years of the Association in the Ilkley Gazette the other week, a message of congratulations and well wishes was received from Ilkley's most famous gardener, Alan Titchmarsh which was read out at the meeting. A letter from Steve Butler, Chair of Ilkley Parish Council was received and read out thanking the Committee for their work in guiding the Association for so many years and wishing all well. Special guests on the evening included Alan Wilson from Wharfedale Gardeners, and David Allison from Burley Gardeners, both regular and very popular Speakers that have presented talks to us many times over the years.
The meeting then got on with the business of the Quiz which was won by David Allison and a final raffle was held which included a very generous prize of a £50 holiday voucher from our friends Debbie & Katie of Travelwise on the Grove. Thank you ladies, this was gratefully received by the winner!
The Chairman presented a beautfiful bouquet of flowers to both of the "Tea Ladies", Margaret and Diane, we could not have coped without you all these years, thank you. He also then surprised the Association Secretary and Treasurer with a presentation of a stunning basket of flowering plants which had involved a lot of subtefuge to sneak these into the meeting without their being aware of the gifts.
A final vote of thanks was proposed from the membership to all the Committee for their hard work over the years and both David Allison and Alan Wilson spoke to invite anyone interested to come along to either (or both) Burley Gardeners' Meetings on the 2nd Thursday of the month or Wharfedale Gardeners on the 3rd Tuesday of the month. Everyone would be made welcome.
We had hoped to have a wonderful 50th year and from the comments received at the end of the meeting, we seemed to have managed this and hopefully done so with style. The weather then had to have the final word as it started to snow as we where leaving the hall for the final time.
Thank you to everyone who came to our meetings thoughout the years, to everyone who has helped and used the Stores Sheds and to everyone who has helped the Association hit 50 fantastic years of trips, to all our guest speakers making it such an enjoyable fun time for all involved.
We do have some funds left over and the Committee is currently looking for projects with a horticultural theme in Ilkley that would benefit from such a donation and make a difference. We have a number under consideration, but if your group has such a project in mind, please email details to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by the end of December 2017. Then watch this space!
