AGMs are not normally exciting affairs, but there was certainly a buzz in the air at that of the Friends of Hyde Abbey Garden as they heard of the progress of Winchester's Golden Jubilee project.

The meeting had as its guests the deputy mayor of Winchester, Jean Hammerton, county councillors ,Michael Woodhall and Pamela Peskett and Kim Wilkie, the landscape architect for the garden. Some 65 members also attended.

In her welcome to the first annual meeting since the group's inauguration, chairman, Mrs Barbara Hall, thanked Mayor John Steel for all he had done during his year of office to support the Friends in their fund-raising efforts while at the same time working hard for his own charities.

As well as the normal business of the meeting, members heard from Mr Wilkie, that work on altering the layout of the leisure centre car park was under way, to be followed in due course by the work at Hyde Abbey Garden.

The basic structure of the new garden will be in place by June 2nd, the Jubilee of the Queen's Coronation, when it will be opened by the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Mrs Mary Fagan.

Although everyone was delighted to know that the hard work of the past year in raising the first required amount of £30,000 had borne fruit, it was appreciated that there is still a long way to go with raising the further £50,000 odd to enable all the important elements of the design to be put in place.

Foremost among these is the proposed engraved glass panel by artist, Tracey Sheppard. Her large sketch of the likely interior of the east end of the great church drew much attention from the audience. It most aptly realised the full interpretative potential of the design of the garden.

Following the coffee break, members were enthralled by an excellent lively talk by Tracey Sheppard, illustrated with slides showing the way she goes about her work. This really brought home the skill and artistry exhibited in the variety of objects she enhances, ranging from a fruit bowl to interior doors for a church in Fulham.

Kim Wilkie, in his vote of thanks, voiced the feelings of everyone present when he said how lucky the garden is to have her involvement. The meeting closed with a visit to the site, led by Mr Wilkie.