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• Sunday, 19 January 2020:
  Winter pruning workshop - January 19th, 2020

  Our 2020 winter pruning event will be at Curthwaite. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DATE IS 19th JAN, not 12th.

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  Our winter pruning workshop will kick off the 2020 programme and will be at two neighbouring locations in Curthwaite, between Wigton and Carlisle. We will start at Beech House at 10.30am where Chris Braithwaite will give a short talk over coffee (and cake) in the barn prior to letting us loose on trees. At Beech House there are some small, old rejuvenated apple trees, a large quince and two (not very) wall-trained pears. At nearby East Curthwaite Farm the highlights are a very large Cox's, a large Bramley and a cordon hedge.

  Joy and Maynard Hall have now moved from Beech House into Wigton, so the pruning day is by kind permission of James and Kim Stockdale at Beech House, Curthwaite, Wigton, CA7 8BG and Joyce and Michael Cowen, M & J Cowen Farms Ltd., East Curthwaite Farm, CA7 8BJ.

  Directions:
  From Carlisle: turn left into Thursby Village, drive into centre of village, keep to left of little green and the lane to Curthwaite is ahead of you on the left. Follow the lane. It will cross the railway line and, as it enters Curthwaite, Beech House is the second house on the left. If you get to the left hand turn down to East Curthwaite you have gone too far.
  From Cockermouth, Wigton etc.: follow the A595 until you pass 'Jewellery By Michael King' on the right, Fiddleback Farm is in the hollow ahead of you on the left and the right turn into Curthwaite is just past the Jewellery workshop. The road executes very sharp left and right turns just after the junction. Drive into Curthwaite village. The Royal Oak pub is on your right, then the right turn to East Curthwaite and Beech House is the second house on the right after the turn.

  There is some parking on both sides of the road outside the Beech House frontage and opposite the Beech House frontage, as long as you keep one set of tyres on the road if you are not in a 4x4. Please do not park in the drive. There will also be parking on concrete at East Curthwaite Farm, and a vehicle or vehicles will ferry people the short distance to Beech House. There will be persons directing on the day. Arrive at Beech House initially as there may be enough parking there.

  Please wear stout shoes and bring your own secateurs, saws etc. if you have them. Gloves are also advisable.

  Please be careful when walking on the stone paths at Beech House-they are very slippery.

  We have use of the barn at Beech House for the day. It is very cosy as it has underfloor heating. Tea, coffee and I daresay some other warming drinks will be available. Please bring a packed lunch or lunch is available at the Royal Oak, a couple of doors down from Beech House. Booking is essential - please sign in to "My NCOG" and book there. Do not be afraid to bring cake. If you want to lunch at the Royal Oak, then you will need to book that separately with them.

  This event is bookable - see details and book

• Wednesday, 5 February 2020:
  Committee meeting February 5th, 2020

  Committee meetings are open to all members, but it is helpful if you let us know in advance that you are coming.

  The full event details can only be viewed by signed-in members.

  Members: to view the event details, first go to "My NCOG" to get an access link.

• Saturday, 15 February 2020:
  Grafting Workshop - February 15th

  Create your own apple trees for £2.50 each! Our annual grafting workshop will be held at Newton Rigg College. There will a demonstration of the techniques involved in grafting scion wood onto rootstock and assistance and supervision for you to graft your own from a wide range of varieties.

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  Date: Saturday February 15th 2020. Time: 11:00 - 16:00. Location: Newton Rigg College, near Penrith, CA11 0AH
  
  Our annual grafting workshop will be held at Newton Rigg College (in the "potting shed" to the left of the main car park - hopefully we will have put up signs). There will a demonstration of the techniques involved in grafting scion wood onto rootstocks and one-to-one assistance.

  NCOG members - if you wish to take part in the workshop, please book below (you can come for the morning, afternoon or both).
  
  Please bring a suitable knife (Stanley knife or equivalent with a new sharp blade) and gloves. Please do not bring a long-bladed knife. Some chopping boards should be available, but if you have a small board please bring it (or a wad of newspaper can be used). There will be a wide variety of scion wood available on the day. If you want to graft a specific tree variety please let Mark know by email as soon as possible so that we can try and make the appropriate scion wood available. Each rootstock you use will cost £2.50 (for NCOG members). There will be no other charge for NCOG members. You will need to pot up your completed grafts when you get home after the workshop.

  Bring a carrier bag or suitable non-plastic wrapping to keep the roots moist.

  The vast majority of rootstock that we have is MM106. If you require a different rootstock, please contact Mark in advance.

  For those staying over lunchtime:- PLEASE NOTE that the cafe may not be open, so you will need to bring sandwiches etc. (tea and coffee making facilities will be available for a small donation).

  Click this link for a map

  Not a NCOG member? Either join beforehand, join on the day or attend as a non-member and pay £5 per roostock, rather than the membership price of £2.50. In any case, please email Enable JavaScript to view protected content. if you would like to book.

  This event is bookable - see details and book