Spring Show 2025

A good time was had by all at our 47th annual Spring Show on Monday 14 April. A great turn out of members and several entries for each class – including a magnificent 18 Narcissus ‘Pipit’ pots!

In total there were over 90 entries in 14 classes – well done everyone. Thanks is due to all those who organised, set up, judged, prepared the flags / certificates and did the raffle and refreshments.

We welcomed horticulturalist Joe Woodcock to judge the classes* and he was full of praise for each and every entry. Joe interspersed his judgments with interesting facts, tips and growing advice on everything from the merits of deadheading to an explanation of the source-sink theory.

Winners:

Class 1: Daffodils / Narcissi – single stem Pat K
Class 2: Tulips – single stem Fran A
Class 3: Flowering shrubs – 3 stems Chris B
Class 4: Foliage – three stems differing in shape, colour and texture Viv P
Class 5: Camellias, Rhododendrons, Azaleas or Magnolias Viv P
Class 6: Vase of mixed Spring Flowers (up to 12 inches) Clare S
Class 7: Vase of mixed Spring Flowers (over 12 inches) Pat K
Class 8: Any pot-grown plant (indoor or outdoor) Terry G
Class 9: A pot of Spring bulbs Anastasia N
Class 10: Primulas or Auriculas Vija V
Class 11: Tea cup floral display Wendy B
Class 12: Baking – Ginger biscuits any shape (any recipe) Maggie T
Class 13: Pipit Narcissi competition Maggie T
Class 14: Wild Card – to include garden-related crafts Viv P

There were some really unusual plants in this year’s show, especially in the pot plant class, including a fearsome-looking Begonia ferox, an incredible Clivia, and a beautiful Aquilegia ‘Rhubarb & Custard’. The daffodil and tulip classes really displayed what a wide range of different cultivars are available, and the mixed classes were a beautiful expression of spring in all its glory.

Special mention must go to the winning entry of both Class 4 and Best in Show – Viv’s beautiful Camellia, which seemed to bewitch judge Joe…

Finally we all got to taste the ginger biscuits in the baking category – delicious! Maggie T pulled off the astonishing feat of winning a ginger biscuit competition having forgotten to add the ground ginger to the mix**.

Here’s to a wonderful evening, and we look forward to the Autumn Show on Monday 18 August.

Ali H

* Except the ‘Tea Cup Display’ class, which is a people’s choice award
** (there was some crystallized ginger already, which clearly tasted good!)