Alnwick Spring Show 18 April 2015

This report was contributed by Martin Murphy (text) and Tom Pattinson (pictures)

glorious daffodilsRows of bloomAt this year’s show there were over sixty exhibitors providing more than three hundred entries in the eighty plus competitive classes, ranging from floral art to flowering shrubs, from daffodils and tulips to alpine plants and from sugar-craft to cookery. The competitive entries were complemented by special interest, hobby and craft displays, trade stands and the show’s own extensive range of plants for sale. Keen interest was attracted, leading up to the presentation of awards by Guest of Honour Lord Howick of Glendale. Altogether, the result was a satisfactory reward for the work of the organising committee and their new Coordinator, Gill Starkey.

Over 30 competitive classes for daffodil and tulip growers attracted a wide range of entries from specialist exhibitors as well as from local residents and from Alnwick Garden Club members. There was a strong field in both of the championship classes with Jeff Smith being this year’s Daffodil Champion and Dave Bonser taking the Champion’s prize for Tulips

Show awards and prizes went to:

Floral Art Shield: Elizabeth Davidson
RA Scamp Voucher for best daffodil in the local residents’ classes: Jeff Smith
Daffodil Society Bronze Medal & Diploma, Daffodil Championship Class: Jeff Smith
Ringhaddy Daffodils Voucher for best daffodil in the amateur classes: David Parker
Crystal Award, the Duchess of Northumberland Tulip Championship Class: Dave Bonser
Best exhibit in the shrub and alpine amateur classes: Vera Parker
Childrens cookery awards: Georgie Allan, Finlay Taylor and Daniel Hardy
Best cookery exhibit: Barbara Graham
Highest aggregate score for cookery: Pat Dodd

The Pottergate Pantry team from Alnwick provided refreshments. The Northumberland Gazette gave the show good publicity both before and after the event. Click the links to read the pre-show article, watch the video, and read the post-show report (with results).

Click on the pictures below to expand.

Trophy presenters David Parker (L) Lord Howick (R)
Trophy presenters
David Parker (L)
Lord Howick (R)
Tulip judges Valerie Eyre Keith Eyre
Tulip judges
Valerie Eyre
Keith Eyre
A different way to show your daffodils
A different way
to show
your daffodils