Flower show’s spring colours
THE SNOW must go on … the return of the Beast From The East didn’t stop members of Wokingham Horticultural Association from celebrating spring in the garden, even if it was a snow storm outside.
On Saturday, the group showcased daffodils, celebrated nature and enjoyed the sounds of Peter Barnett’s piano playing as they gathered at St Paul’s Parish Rooms for the quarterly contest.
The day before the show, temperatures had been well into double figures as spring sunshine enhanced the early blooms on display and the society, with a little help from borough mayor Cllr Rob Stanton, presented Daffodil Society Diplomas awarded to Margaret Finch and John Kerr. Terry Miller’s entry of three beautiful Temba daffodils scooped the Best Bloom in Show accolade.
Organisers said that visitors were greeted by superb displays in all sections and that the judges particularly praised a delightful miniature woodland scene created in papercraft by new exhibitor, Rachael Burrows.
Cheryl Cook excelled in the photography and domestic sections and also completed a hat-trick by winning with her colouring-in of a chicken scene.
There was a strong entry in the Young Exhibitors’ section and the judges could not separate the sausage rolls made by William Bethell from Ollie Edward’s superb night photo, so the Southfield School Spring Show Cup was awarded jointly to the pair, who are pupils from the Dolphin School in Hurst.
There was a mouthwatering spread of exhibits in the Domestic Section and Bob Newman was delighted to win first prize for his Victoria Sponge sandwich cake against competition from 10 other cakes.
The Gentlemen Only sausage rolls class was won by Marek Lokuciewski.
New exhibitor – 10-year-old Gemma Piper from Hawthorns School – created a wonderful imaginary animal from fruit and vegetables in the Young Exhibitors’ section. She also did well in the Domestic Section with a prize for her five cup cakes decorated for Easter.
The WHA said that they were pleased to welcome Borough Mayor, Cllr Rob Stanton, to present the prizes.
With Mayoress Maureen Stanton unwell, Mollie Cleary – winner of the Visitors’ Choice – sent the Mayor home with her Golden Daffodils arrangement as a get-well soon gift.
WHA said it is grateful to
Spring show winners
Ballylin Cup Class 1, daffodils
Terry Miller
WHA Novice Challenge Trophy
Best exhibit classes 15-19, daffodils
Ruth Lambert
Roy Austin Daffodil Goblet Best exhibit classes 20-23, daffodils
Margaret Finch
Daffodil Society Bronze Medal
Best exhibit in Daffodil Classes
Terry Miller
Philip Sale Cup Winner Class 36, Mixed Flowers Nina Preston
Staniland Goblet Most points in Flower Section, excluding daffodils
Nina Preston
Eve Scott-Horniman Cup Winner Class 55, Simnel Cake Pauline MacBrayne St Kilda Cup Most points in Martin Pickles of Wokingham and East Berks Camera Club for taking photos of the show.
Members now look forward to a Gardeners’ Question Time to be held at their Trading Store in the Ormonde Road allotments from 2-4pm on Sunday.
Domestic Section Pauline MacBrayne
Clifford Rawlings Cup Most points in Handicraft Section Jean Phillips
Heelas Cup Most points in Flower Arrangement Section Mollie Cleary Southfield School Spring
Cup Best exhibit in Young Exhibitors’ Section William Bethell & Ollie Edwards
Certificates of Merit
Simnel Cake Pauline MacBrayne Ornamental Foliage Nina
Preston
Flower Arrangement ‘Green
with Envy’ Mollie Cleary
‘My Favourite Photograph’
Cheryl Cook
Photograph ‘Made me Laugh’
Brian Chinneck
Visitors’ choice
Flower Arrangement ‘Golden Daffodils’ Mollie Cleary