Leeds Paxton Horticultural Society has a long history, going back to 1886. Some things have changed; there is no longer a bar where the late John Emmett could pull you a pint as you staged your flowers. His were already on the show benches. But there is still the friendly calm atmosphere and a show well organised by Graham Wheatley and his efficient army of volunteers.
For most of the Yorkshire daffodil exhibitors this is now their first show of the new season with the opportunity to greet old friends and commiserate on what a terrible growing season it has been; it always is! An early season looked a certainty until Christmas when from then on nothing moved. A great shortage of white perianthed flowers and very few, if any, division threes and fours.
Despite all the problems it was a good start to the season with Alan Robinson repeating his success of last year by winning both the twelve bloom and six bloom classes. Christine Yeardley was second in the twelve and Wendy Akers second in the six. Wendy had Best Bloom in the show and Best Exhibit in the non-collection classes for the second year running with ‘Ombersley; last year it was ‘Banker’. Sue Vinden had her customary successes in virtually all of the classes for ‘other divisions’ and John Freer had a good show. Before judging he declared that he’d only brought his flowers to make a show and yet as the pictures below prove he had some very good flowers. In particular his three ‘Rapture’ would have won the above mentioned Best Exhibit but for judge Steve Ryan deciding after a long period of thought that one of the trumpets was much longer than on its two companions. Mr and Mrs Kendall are recent arrivals on the daffodil show scene but were not disgraced in the Open classes, and won the trophy and RHS medal in the Members classes. The chairman, Andrew Spence, made the presentations to the Trophy Winners
It is a comprehensive schedule with the two collection classes and a vase of three and a single bloom for all the divisions. photographs for most of the winners are shown below; click on any photograph to expand it.
Congratulations to all the exhibitors. A great start to the daffodil season
What a great start to the daffodil season in the north. Congratulations to all involved, it shows what can be achieved by cooperation of exhibitors, of every flower, including a wonderful display of orchids, hyacinths, indoor plants and not forgetting the hospitality of the organisers, who provide lunch for exhibitors and visitors. A team effort.