Our September monthly meeting was a fascinating and very informative evening, with an excellent talk from Andrew Gaunt, a Plant Health and Seeds Inspector with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), part of DEFRA.
Andrew has worked as a plant health inspector for over 25 years and is based in Chichester, covering plant health inspections, imports and exports. He has extensive experience in protecting the UK from harmful plants, pests and diseases, and is also a National Plant Collection holder specialising in Hedychium (flowering ginger).
His talk, “The Role of the Plant Quarantine Service,” gave us an insight into the work that goes on behind the scenes to protect our plants, gardens, agriculture and natural environment. Andrew explained what his day-to-day duties involve, including inspecting imported plants and plant products and helping to prevent potentially damaging pests and diseases from entering and becoming established in the UK.
He also talked about the growing challenges presented by climate change, global trade and invasive insects and plants, and highlighted some of the pests and diseases we should be aware of. His experience brought the subject to life, giving us a much greater appreciation of just how important plant health and biosecurity are.
It was an engaging and thought-provoking talk, packed with information, with examples from Andrew's many years of experience helping to illustrate and support the points he discussed.
Celebrating 111 Years of the WI
Our September meeting also marked the 111th anniversary of the Women’s Institute, and WIs across the country were encouraged to join in the celebrations by wearing purple, the WI’s signature colour.
Members were also invited to take photographs in groups of three, creating a fun visual representation of 111. We were delighted to join in the celebrations at our meeting, adding a splash of purple and marking this special milestone together.
It was a lovely opportunity to celebrate the WI’s long history, the friendships it has created and the many contributions made by WI members over the past 111 years.
