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December 2019 December 2019
ROGS Autumn Colours and the Spindle Tree

There have been some wonderful autumn colours this year, a combination of a
The Zoom Trophy 2019
warm summer, damp autumn and no early frosts. By the time you read this most
This was my last event as Captain and I would personally colours will have faded and the trees will be looking bare for the coming winter
like to thank all ROGS for supporting me this year and of months. The best of the colour was to be seen on beech trees with their varied
course the committee, who do a tireless job behind the hues of green, tan, yellow and brown and on field maple with their bright yellows.
scenes and sometimes centre stage.
However, one of the most startling local autumn displays is provided by Spindle
With the prospect of bad weather we brought forward the starting times and took trees. Rather than the colour being in the leaves their vivid colour is from the fruits.
our chances !!! This was a good decision. You should still be able to see the fruits hanging on the leafless branches. They
are unmistakable – a bright pink casing contrasting with the orange of the seeds
32 ROGS and 3 guests set off in reasonable conditions but unfortunately mother within. The seeds are said to resemble popcorn, but don’t try eating them, they
nature had her way and drowned us for about 15 minutes. The Isle of Purbeck a are very toxic to humans; powder from baked berries has been known to be
tough track but despite the conditions there were some good scores (and some used as an insecticide. Spindle is native to much of Europe and forms a shrub or
bad ones !!!!!) Coming out on top was Brett Standerwick with 37 points well done small tree, growing to a maximum height of 9 metres (just less than 30 feet). There
Brett 2nd on countback with 35 points was Graeme Price and third Phil Allen with are a number to be found in May’s Wood and the hedgerows of the area. The
the same score Spindle tree is easiest to identify at this time of year with their striking colourful
display of fruits. Spindle has a valuable role in ecosystems as its leaves are eaten
NP on the 4th Terry Peterson
by the caterpillars of various moths and the holly blue butterfly. The leaves also
NP on the 9th Brett Standerwick
NP in 2 on the 18th Julian Flower
LD on the 14th Dan Callum
The best guest was Sean Keen with 28 points
There were 2 two.s Sir G on the 11th and Julian on the 9th

See you all at The Cup of Good Cheer for the Ryder Cup format with the new
President (me) taking on the new Captain (Neil Middleditch). Looking forward to
the day.
attract many aphids and in turn their predators, including hoverflies, ladybirds
Captain Spalds
and lacewings, as well as birds. Also, the numerous white flowers which appear in
May are a rich source of nectar and pollen for insects. The Spindle tree’s value is
not limited to its natural role; Spindle wood is very hard, and can be cut to a
BERE REGIS FLORAL GROUP sharp point - it has been used in the past for making spindles for spinning wool, for
butchers' skewers, knitting needles, clothes pegs and tooth picks. Spindle wood
charcoal has also been used by artists and in the production of gunpowder.

Souls Moor Ponies
The floral group has a Christmas lunch on Tuesday 17
th
December at the Milton Arms, Winterbourne Whitechurch. The ponies have now left Souls Moor for their warmer and drier winter quarters.
The January meeting is the AGM at 2pm in Winterborne The ponies will hopefully return late spring next year. As previously mentioned the
Kingston village hall. The meeting will be followed by tea ponies are there to help with wildlife conservation and restoration. They have
and cakes. Everyone is welcome spent the summer munching through the long rank grasses that have built up
during the period Souls Moor was ungrazed. The long rank grasses tend to

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