FOR the third year running, members the Bratton Clovelly and District Garden Club participated in the preparation of biodynamic 'horn manure'.

The annual event was originally inspired by a talk given to the club on gardening by phases of the moon. Having retrieved a cow horn that had been stuffed with horse manure and buried for a year or two, on the longest day of the year a number of people took it in turns vigorously to stir vats of water in which the horn's contents had been dissolved, creating a vortex in one direction then the other for an hour until the process was complete. The resulting liquid will be sprayed onto gardens to stimulate soil vitality and to improve crop yield.

The following club meeting continued the theme of looking after the planet with a talk from Roger Bristow, of Butterfly Conservation - a UK charity who, through monitoring how species are faring across the country over a period of time, are taking action to save our butterflies and moths.

At the end of May the club held a plant sale and made a donation of £250 to North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team. Other June events included a guided tour round Endsleigh Hotel Gardens and some members provided voluntary help at the garden festival held at Coombe Trenchard.

The next meeting on July 19 at Bratton Clovelly Parish Hall will feature a presentation on 'Plants in Medicine' given by Dorothy Murphy. Guests are welcome. Further details on 01837 871163.