A wet and windy winter's night did not dismay the intrepid gardeners of Manorbier and District Gardeners Club.

A large number of people turned out for the annual general meeting in the Village Hall, where the atmosphere was warm and convivial.

In the absence of Joan Giles, chair, Patricia Price (an old hand as ex-chair) took the meeting and read the chairman's report.

The report particularly commented on the excellent calibre of most of the speakers of last year. The officers and committee were thanked for their hard work, especially Eira Neads, secretary, and Joan Beddoes, treasurer, who both stood down after many years of service. Joan Giles, too, resigned her post as chair.

After the election of officers, the new committee will be: chair - Lady Penelope Meyrick; secretary - Linda Parker; treasurer - Joan Giles; committee -Margaret McCracken, Patricia Price, Diana Mathias, Hilary Alexander, Anne Cryer, Felicity Klein.

Plans for the new year include talks on wild orchids, water plants, fungi, hardy exotics, flora of the Antarctic, and an evening with Roddy Milne, head gardener at Picton Castle. There will also be trips to Veddw Gardens, near Abergavenny, and an afternoon visit to Upton Gardens.

The third Village Show will be held in September at Skrinkle Community Centre and there will be the companiable summer BBQ and Christmas celebrations.

After a good discussion of future plans, the evening finished very sociably with wine and refreshments

The club meets on the second Wednesday of every month in Manorbier Village Hall at 7.30 pm. A very warm welcome is extended to everyone interested in gardening.