Daffodils are ‘destined for
Compost heap’
CELEBRATING St David’s Day with the national flower of Wales is likelier to be trickier this year.
Welsh growers and garden retailers say vast quantities of daffodils are destined for a “giant compost heap” this spring because their usual routes to market are closed during the Covid-19 lockdown.
The same fate may also await other spring flowers such as polyanthus and primroses which are popular as Mothers Day gifts.
Ornamental horticulture businesses in Wales say they are getting “desperate”, having been unable to trade since curbs on non-essential retail were put in place on December 20.
If garden centres and florists remain closed, sales of potted daffodils are likely to be decimated this spring, according to the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA).
It said growers “need a miracle, like that said to have been performed by their national saint, if they are to weather the storm”.
One grower-retailer, Morris of Usk, faces writing off £20,000 worth of springtime favourites, having already lost its autumn crop of violas and pansies during November’s firebreak lockdown.
“We fully understand the need to protect public health,” said Nicola Pugh, HTA Council representative for Wales, and owner of Pugh’s Garden Centre in Cardiff.
“We support the government in its determination to fight the spread of Covid.
“But horticultural businesses are being pushed to the brink at what should be our busiest time of year.”
The ahead Welsh week.
It is hoping for concessions in view of the industry’s seasonal supply chain – and its contribution to people’s health and wellbeing.
Ms Pugh called on ministers to provide some certainty to the sector.
“If we are to meet the demand when reopening is possible, we need a timeline to help us manage the supply chain of perishable and seasonal crops,” she said.
Despite initial confusion over cut flowers, and whether these should be classified as non-essential items, they are being sold by supermarkets in Wales during lockdown, which should ensure supplies of St David’s Day buttonholes.
However, florists are shut, relying instead on deliveries and collections to stay afloat.
Cut flower sales are set to be hit by an increase in the price of flowers postBrexit, with the Fresh Produce Consortium estimating the new customs rules and tariffs will add £100m to the cost of importing cut flowers into the country.
However all daffodils sold in the UK are grown here – so growers have seen no need to rein in production.
Ceredigion-based
HTA spoke out of a review of lockdown restrictions by the Government this
Farmyard Nurseries, Llandysul, is also using click and collect to keep some money coming in.
Owner Rich Bramley said it is not a long-term solution.
“Click and collect and mail order are helping businesses like ours, but these processes are incredibly labour intensive and they don’t allow us to offer quite the same service to our customers. Our nursery grows plants that supply our garden centre. Without the ability to sell that stock in big enough quantities – quantities that just aren’t possible via mail order or click and collect – we will be looking at very challenging times from March if we’re not open again.”
The HTA is calling on ministers to consider the re-opening of garden centres in Wales, a sector worth £177m-a-year to the county.
This week the Welsh Government is due to publish an update roadmap for exiting lockdown.
HTA chairman James Barnes said the sector’s future hung in the balance.
“The Welsh garden retail sector represents hundreds of businesses, employing thousands of people,” he said.
“These jobs and these livelihoods are placed at increasing risk with every day that trade is rendered impossible by lockdown restrictions.
“We need a timeline for re-opening to help the industry plan how to survive and to safeguard a sector that facilitates the wellbeing of the health and wealth of the nation.”
THE Great Brummie Solo Contest, organised by Leyland Band solo baritone player Bethan Brown, which was recently organised online, received 65 entrants from around the world.
There was an Under14s Slow Melody section which was adjudicated by Brendan Caddy and top three places went to Michael Macdonald, Jennifer Richardson and Ciaran Rieff-Marganiec.
The Under-18s was adjudicated by David Taylor and the winner was Frederik Engelson, second was Natalie Colegrove and third was Harry Porthouse of Tredegar.
The Open Slow Melody was adjudicated by Ian Porthouse.
The winner was the outstanding euphonium player Yu-Han Yang, second was Samantha Ford and third was William Neeve.
The contest raised £320 for the charity Cancer Research UK.
Brendan Caddy was vey impressed with the lyrical interpretations of the young players in the Under-14s group and the playing was of a very high standard.
Michael Macdonald, the winner, was just 11 years old and gave a “wonderfully mature” performance of Song of the Night which was composed by Christopher Bond, the Musical Director of City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) M1 Band.
The second placed Jennifer Richardson also played a fine performance of another composition by Christopher Bond called A Pacific Melody.
Sixteen-year-old Frederik Engelson won the Under-18 Slow Melody with an outstanding performance of Edward Gregson’s Before the Cross.
In addition to the winner’s being awarded a certificate and a gold medal they also gained a lesson with the adjudicator of their section.
Yu-Han Yang, the winner of the Blue Riband Open Slow Melody, won the Juju International Brass Competition in 2020 and was proclaimed the 4BR 2020 Player of the Year.
He told 4BR: “It is a great honour to win The Great
Brummie Solo Contest! I was delighted to enter alongside my accompanist Hanami Oda and to support a great,well organised event by Bethan for a wonderful charity.”
Speaking about the event adjudicator Ian Porthouse was full of praise for organiser Bethan Brown as well as the quality of the performances in all three categories.
This has been a very difficult period for the brass band movement, but it is great to see a new generation of talented, committed players such as Bethan wishing to put something back by organising such a fine event and supporting such a worthwhile charity.
My congratulations go to her and especially to all the 65 players who took the time to enter.
The enthusiasm, dedication and quality was something that should give us all hope for the future of banding.
Bethan Brown who organised the event, thanked all who took part and the sponsors.
(Thanks to 4BarsRest)