Autumn Flower Show

Alby Berry's Pretty In Pink Vase of Dahlias

Chris Moore with her Award winning Autumn Fruits, Berries and Foliage

Chad Stone with Chairman Tim Nichols

Emma Hilton and Sue Sharpin with some of the scrummy cakes

Jean Webb with her winning Salvia Hot Lips

Visitors admiring the exhibits

The Club’s Autumn Flower Show took place at The New Hall last week and a bumper crowd came to view the beautiful exhibits that were on display. The show secretary, Monica Seatherton, together with the Director of Show, Ros Nichols, concluded that despite the difficult summer growing conditions, exhibitors put together a blooming wonderful display.


The principal prize winners in the decorative section were Maggie Roberts, Chris Moore, Tim Nichols and Pat Cyprus. The Award of Merit was given to Chris Moore for her exhibit of Autumn fruits, berries & foliage.

In the children’s section Jessica Ridgeway & Paige Nichols were the winners.

In the cut flowers section the principal winners were: Mary Smith; Jean Bennett; Chad Stone; Sue Gollop; Alby Berry; Ann Crawford; Val Diggle; Margaret Grose and Pam Armstrong. The Award of Merit went to Alby Berry for his Pretty In Pink Vase of Dahlias.

In the shrubs, trees and climbers section, the principal winners were: Pam Armstrong; Chad Stone; Ann Crawford and Jean Bennett. Chad was the winner with his vase of heaths.

In the pot plants section the principal winners were: Nora Mears; Mary Coles; Ann Crawford; Chad Stone; Val Diggle; John Mears and first time exhibitor Pat Payne. Chad won the Award of Merit for his large tuberous begonia.
The members class was well supported with 15 entries. Jean Webb won for the best Salvia “Hot Lips” plant, as supplied by Cove Garden Nurseries in the spring; second was Pat Cyprus and third was Denise Budd with Maureen Coldham, fourth.
In the photography section, the principal winners were: Tim Nichols; Yvonne Clark; Margaret Ellwood and Ros Nichols. Tim won the Award of Merit for his Garden Produce photo.

The Jubilee special collection class was very closely contended with Ros Nichols winning by ½ a point from Tim Nichols; third was Sue Gollop.

At the end of the afternoon, the Chairman, Tim Nichols, thanked the judges, Val Maunder; Linda Alexander and Richard Parrott for their hard work and also thanked the committee, helpers, exhibitors and visitors for making this show such a success.

Growing Dahlias for Pleasure by Terry Bratcher

Terry Bratcher gave an inspiring talk about Growing Dahlias for Pleasure at the first autumn meeting last week.  He talked with such passion about his lifetime hobby.  A national grower and show exhibitor he has won many medals and awards at national shows.

Mid Devon Show exhibit

Isle of Wight Highlights

Isle of Wight delights

42 members have returned from an excellent week away in the Isle of Wight.  An excellent tour of gardens and attractions filled the week.  The weather behaved and we only needed our raincoats on one occasion.

We stayed at the Ocean View Hotel in sunny Shanklin.  We visited Nunwell House & Gardens after a tour of the coast and a lunch break in Ryde.  Then Osborne House and grounds on Tuesday.  Wednesday we had a couple of hours shopping in Newport before an afternoon spent at Ventnor Botanical Gardens.  Thursday we dodged the showers to see the beautiful gardens at Mottistone Manor and Friday was a stop at the pretty village of Godshill before a ride on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.

Photos to follow.

Spring Events

Spring Flower Show