Our Committee
Peter Worlidge
President
More information to follow
Mark
Chairman and Show Organiser
Once more elected as Chair in 2022 Mark looks after the overall organisation of big events such as the Summer Show and Social Media. He has been on the Committee for many, many years and is passionate about the well-being of Leigh's community. He represents the spirit and vision of what our Society aspires to be, and displays the hard work and commitment needed to get there. With 39 years of gardening experience and 21 years as Head Gardener at Little Mynthurst he brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the society. Mark has his own gardening service,
Gardener's Den.
Helen Taneborne
Show Secretary
Helen has been involved with L&DCGS for at least 3 decades, assuming many roles to ensure the continuance of the society and the success of Leigh Village Fayre. Moving into the village back in 1974 Helen was quickly seconded onto the Committee as the Treasurer had left at short notice. She feels her only qualification was that she worked in retail. Over the years she has worn many hats and filled many gaps as and when required, including Assistant Show Secretary, Show Secretary, Publicity, Catering - including Tea Lady, Stall Supervisor and any other job that has been directed her way. She believes she has been on the committee for far too many years but along with several other older hands she is passionate about keeping the Society alive.
One slight problem – she says is that she enjoys a garden full of colour and interest but is NOT a gardener ! On Village Show days, she can be found in the Show Secretary's Tent, organising the Judges and Prizes. This picture shows Helen (in the middle) at a Show in 1979.
Douglas
Treasurer
Douglas moved to Leigh in 1999 and, with his wife, Sue, immediately engaged in village and community life. Douglas has been a member of L&DCGS since 1999 and on the Committee as Treasurer since 2014. As he says: 'What's the point in living in a village, if you don't get involved?' Indeed, he is very much a firm believer in supporting the local community and 'community spirit'. Having a background in accountancy, (he has worked for KMPG and the WRVS and was the Chief Exec of Greensleeves), he has offered his expertise as an Examiner, scrutinising accounts for local groups including Leigh Lollipops, The Parish Council, among others, over the years and continues to support Leigh Heritage with fundraising and other activities. However, Douglas still finds time to enjoy a round of golf, research the history of Leigh and Leigh Church - and, when he can, lose himself in cricket on the television.
Penny
Events Secretary
Penny has been involved with L&DCGS for many years and on the Committee since 2014. Since she was a teenager, horses have been her main interest but over the years she has been roped into helping her family with Garden Society events. It was in 2014, when several committee members retired en masse and the future of the Summer Flower Show and Country Fayre was threatened and the viability of the Society in general, that she joined the Committee. She believes that the Society is an integral part of the Village and does not want to see it disappear as many such Societies – both Horticultural and others have – due to a lack of volunteers to serve on the Committee or just to take over the responsibility for one particular task.
Adria
Membership Officer
Adria has been keen on gardening since the summer when as a child she managed to grow a sunflower which reached all the way up to her bedroom window. Her front garden is currently being taken over by raised vegetable beds – more every year as she runs out of space to plant all the seedlings she has grown. She shares her back garden with a small flock of bantam chickens who create some destruction in the borders – but hopes that the eating of slug and snail eggs makes up for the damage caused. Adria has lived in Leigh since 2004 and has served on the Parish Council and is also involved with the Leigh Apple Press Group.
Paula
Committee member and interim secretary
Paula has lived in Leigh for 25 years and works at the village school. She enjoys cycling, wild swimming and has a sense for adventure and travel. She joined the committee to help promote the Summer Show as she believes it brings a sense of community to the village and surrounding areas.
Kerry
Committee member
Hi, I'm Kerry, compared to everyone I know I am really new to Leigh, only moving here in 2018.
I am an animal lover and my favourite hobby is travelling, I also love cooking and entertaining my nearest and dearest.
I joined the L&DCGS committee so that I could contribute to the village that I love so much and make a difference where it matters, a commitment I have come to enjoy and respect, it takes a special team to do what we do and we do it really well, we all volunteer our time and are always in need of help and new committee members. Laughter, team spirit, sheer will and our love of the village keeps us going each year, come join the dream team and help make things happen!
Cathy
Committee Member
I have lived in the village for many years and have enjoyed bringing her family up here. I like walking in the local countryside with our dog. I joined the committee to help with village events and support the Leigh & District Cottage Society in general.
Working to support our community
Leigh & District Cottage Garden Society is affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society and has links to many local gardening, horticultural and cottage garden societies. We like to support and get involved with all kinds of community events and organisations. In 2018 we planted crocuses on the village greens, in front of the Church and Plough Pub - with the hope of bringing the joy of the change of seasons - Winter to Spring to those driving through and living in the village. We’ve recently managed to secure an allotment and hope to inspire volunteers of a range of ages to get involved in growing plants and vegetables throughout the season. We support The Apple Press and Charity Plant Sale, along with organising Open Garden events. We welcome community members of all ages to join us as sponsors, or volunteers.