Where were you born and where did you spend most of your childhood?
I was born and brought up in Christchurch. I spent my childhood in St Albans and went to Elmwood School which in those days went to Form 2 as Heaton had just opened and was for boys only, and then on to Christchurch Girls’ High. I worked at the National Bank in Hereford Street where I met my husband, David.
Where do you live now?
I have lived in Avonhead for the last thirtynine years.
What aroused your interest in gardening or horticulture?
When I was young I went to the Garden Circle at radio station 3ZB late each Saturday afternoon where David Combridge had a spot in the Children’s’ Show. He encouraged us to enter the Children’s section at all the Flower Shows and I would ride my bicycle with a box of flowers on the carrier and prepare my exhibit before going off to school. There were several shows each year in those days and it was always a thrill to win a prize.
What gardening or horticultural interests do you have now?
I am now a member of the Avonhead Garden Club and have been President and Committee member. My other hobbies are cake decorating and china painting and I also care for my disabled husband.
What’s your favourite plant and why?
My favourite plants are definitely roses. They are such good value in the garden and I like plants that are able to be picked and enjoyed inside. My garden is a garden of memories as many plants are from cuttings given by friends who have passed on and I also have peonies from my late mother and several plants from my late sister’s garden.
What’s been your most challenging and/or rewarding gardening project?
I think my most challenging gardening was when we lived on a hill in Wellington and got the full force of the notorious northerly wind. Vegetable gardening up there was not for the faint hearted!
When did you join the CHS and why?
When we came back to Christchurch I used to take my mother to the Shows at the Horty and decided after a while to join the Society as then I would know in advance when the shows were to be held. Now I have retired I enjoy All About Gardening and I also go on the day trips when I am able to.
What is your passion for the future of the CHS?
My wish for the Association would be for it to continue to keep members informed of the events planned and to encourage membership from all age groups.