Dazzling dahlias at gardening club show
DOZENS of dahlias dazzled visitors to Burbage Gardening Club’s 71st annual open show.
More than 70 of the stunning blooms were entered in the club’s renowned Dahlia Championship, contested by growers from across the country.
It was won by Mac Walker from Belper in Derbyshire, who was awarded the Bill Greenaway Annual Tankard in recognition of the achievement.
Mr Walker also won the W L Randall Perpetual Challenge Cup for the best exhibit in show, held at Hastings High School.
The show’s other classes attracted more than 650 entries, with nearly 80 more in the children’s classes.
Children’s trophies were won by Harry Gamble, Lucy Gamble, Lilli-Grace Gamble, Zade Hextall, Emily Ward and Nicole Shaw.
Adult cups went to Christine Godfrey, Judy Hextall, Linda Caswell, Trevor Allcoat, Mac Walker, Dave Baggott, John Lee, Phil Burgess, Judy Buckell, Ian Hextall, Terry Leach, D Spencer, Alan Johnson, Adel Whitworth, Claire Hewitt and Barbara Fletcher.
Phil Burgess from Stoke Golding won the Jack Ball Challenge Cup for the most first prizes in the vegetable section and also the Burbage Gardening Club Annual Challenge Tray for the most points in the whole show.
The Doreen and Harold Hodge Annual BGC Memorial Trophy for the best exhibit in the vegetable section went to D Spencer and Terry Leach from Whetstone won the RHS Banksian Medal for the most points gained in the horticultural classes.
The cups and trophies were presented by Burbage Heritage Group secretary Ann Crabtree.
Bob Gwynn, of Burbage Gardening Club, said: “Despite the lack of dahlias this year due to poorer growing conditions the display in the main hall was still very impressive and gave the visiting public a wonderful spectacle.
“The club would like to thank all of the exhibitors who supported the show and also all of the local businesses who sponsored classes, provided raffle prizes or advertised in the schedule, as without them there would be no show.”
Donations made in lieu of an entrance fee totalled £270 and are to benefit Mill Lodge at Narborough which supports people suffering from Huntington’s disease.
The club will boost that amount to more than £600 with money raised at its annual plant auction and donations made at its garden trading store.
Gardening Club meets on the first Tuesday of each month at Burbage Constitutional Club where it hosts speakers on gardening related subjects.
Visitors are welcome for £2 per meeting. Annual membership costs £10.