ON a December afternoon the Wharfedale Gardeners’ Group partygoers were welcomed with a warming glass of mulled wine or invigorating fruit punch to our yearly Christmas get-together.
The attractively-decorated room at Otley Rugby Club was festively decked with bunting, a large Christmas tree, tables covered in white cloths, jolly Christmas napkins and a delightful seasonal posy as table centrepiece
There was lots of opportunity for social chat as well as an action-packed afternoon filled with seasonal quizzes including a fiendishly difficult plant themed table quiz from The National Garden Scheme which created perplexed expressions and much discussion before Eureka moments! To get everyone moving a session of Stand-Up Bingo and a Picture Quiz was played in great spirit with much laughter
Our winter-hungry feathered friends were acknowledged in table prizes, which were packets of bird seed beautifully wrapped and topped with a lifelike decoration robin for each person.
Jo Hanson with her door swag (Image: submitted)
The highlight of the afternoon was a floral demonstration by one of our committee members, Jo Hanson. A florist by profession, she expertly talked us through how to create a swag, whilst putting together a huge bunch of winter greenery enhanced with citrus wheels, cinnamon sticks and pine cones. Her final creation, tied with string and a beautiful festive bow was stunning
Jo’s swag was the major prize in our Christmas raffle and much appreciated by the lucky winner. Jo had also donated a festive candle plant centrepiece as a raffle prize which again was snapped up quickly. In addition to those provided by the WGG Committee, a number of members also kindly donated raffle prizes, resulting in a bumper selection for winners to choose from. More than one person was heard saying ‘I never win anything – this is the first time!’
Our sumptuous buffet was provided by everyone bringing a plate of food and the resulting feast was delicious, with a variety of savoury dishes and mouth-watering desserts
Huge thanks go to Janet from the Rugby Club for keeping so many plates spinning in the kitchen, to everyone who contributed to make the afternoon a success and especially the committee members without whom none of this would be possible.
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