Newsletter

(June to December 2007)

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Dear Member(s)

As you may be aware it was decided previously by the Executive Council and at the AGM that a Newsletter was needed to fill in the gaps between the Annual (July-August) and the Winter Bulletin (January-February) so that the membership could be kept informed of all the developments going on in the Society. So we would like to welcome you to our first Newsletter. 

The weather this year will be talked about for a long time into the future and its connection to global warming will be debated even longer, however exhibitors and growers found ways to get around these issues to produce high quality dahlias. However, this year has been one of the most challenging for Dahlia growers with the constant rain and cold early in the growing season leading to flooding in many places. Soil temperatures were  much lower than normal, affecting the timing of flowering based on previous years, producing late flowers. This  meant that exhibits at the National Show were slightly  down on previous years although the quality was still maintained.  Discussing trends with exhibitors up and down the country seems to suggest that miniatures and novelties are types that more want to see and grow. This was certainly the case at this years National at Shepton Mallet albeit an unusual year weatherwise which may contribute towards a different trend.

Harrogate, our northern show & Malvern (autumn show) were well supported and many of the exhibits were outstanding due to late flowering this year. We will not pre-empt the Winter Bulletin by discussing the top exhibitors this year but feel we must congratulate the Scots for their outstanding 75^th show at Stirling.

In keeping with the strategy of consultation and involvement of members ,agreed at the preceeding AGM we were pleased to receive a large amount of positive  input from the members giving  the  Executive Council plenty to think about for the coming year, particularly on where possible improvements  may be made to the Show and help exhibitors. All the suggestions will be considered by the Standing Committees and where appropriate will be implemented. A number of the proposals  put to the Executive council have been implemented and have started to show  positive outcomes around the country and at the National Shows.

                               A new Consultative Process.

In view of opinions raised at the last Annual General Meeting ,The Executive Council have resolved that full opportunity will be afforded to the membership to provide their views to the Council .The membership’s views are paramount in the Councils minds when  decisions are made and hence we have formed a consultation team which will visit  regions around the UK over the coming months to discuss a strategy for  future of The National Dahlia Society with  Societies’ and the Membership generally  . This process will commence in November 2007. 

The Executive Council request that anyone wishing to contribute or host an event should contact the General Secretary (07904316238) who will advise the programme and ensure all interested parties are catered for. We are also happy to receive  any ideas that you may wish to contribute individually to improve the society.

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Below are some of the suggestions and ideas that have been received and will be discussed over the next few months by the Standing Committees 

Show & General Purposes Committee

Suggestions put forward are:

q       Formation of separate Miniature Semi-Cactus classes.

q       The dropping of six blooms Pompon to Five blooms.

q       The opening up of the Groups so that Singles, Anemone, Peony, Star or Single Orchid, Orchid and even Miscellaneous types can have bench space.

q       The reduction of Small Decoratives, Semi Cactus, Cactus and Small Ball down to three blooms per vase. Further review of championship classes.

q       Review of classes for Giants at Shepton Mallet.

q       More coverage and space for the single bloom classes. q       The role of regional representatives  q       A rotation system to be developed so that the AGMs will be held around the country making the Society truly representative.

Judging & Classification Committee

Some suggestions received  are:

q       Guide lines to be put in the next Classified Directory on judging Containers and Basket classes.

q       Are we reducing opportunity for filling show benches by not having dual classification

q       Looking at reinstating the Peony Group to by bring us back in line with the International Classification.

q       Further consideration of Informal , Formal Decorative, Large and medium Pompon

q       Discussion on putting together a Judging forum for members

q       Evaluating and discussing cultivars to be classified in the 2009 Classified Directory.

q       Introduction of Miniature Collerette classification

Publication Committee

Suggestions put forward are:

q       More articles on Exhibiting

q       Production and planning for the Winter Bulletin with the request for more colour pictures of new cultivars and winners at the Nationals to be considered.

q       Work to replace old booklets and bring up to date, Staging, Seedlings etc

q       Reorganising and re structuring the website to produce better educational information and further information on growing dahlias.

If you have any further suggestion or comments on the above topics then please write in the first instance to the General Secretary who will forward them on to the relevant committee(s)  General Secretary David Kent - 48 Vickers Road, Ash Vale, Aldershot, Hants GU12 5SE Email: David Kent