Northern Group Late Show at Pilley 4 May 2013

The full results of the show may be seen by clicking here

This show is a celebration of the daffodil season, we have a slap up lunch, a good laugh, and an enjoyable relaxing day.

This year we also had a hoggin of flowers (mine are still coming out as I write) due to the late season. When I arrived at nine thirty the place was packed with all tables full and staging in full flow. The end result was a superb display, everybody had prize cards, there were also some lovely tulips.

The furthest travelled exhibitors were Shirley and Ron Parsons from Northampton, Ron getting over a heart bypass operation and as keen as ever. A few notable moments; Richard Smales judging, really good to see him,

John Freer actually wearing his new cap (more on the old cap later) and further evidence that Steve Ryan is back as a serious contender. There was also a brief glimpse of Alan Robinson and his son who hope to return to showing next year, be afraid, be very afraid!

At Harrogate the previous week John had bought a new cap but was still wearing his old one (totally condemned by Sheila as only fit for the compost heap) in the Yorkshire spirit of “put it away for best” – said about anything newly bought for at least two years. It had finally received its comeuppance though and was revealed after lunch in its new guise. I asked him how long he’d been wearing it and he said he thought he’d bought it before he retired. How long have you been retired was my next question. Oh, over twenty five years but it was still alright for the garden.

Ken Dear won the fourth leg of the Northern Group Championship (below left), with Christine Yeardley gaining the medal for most points over the four legs.

Ken Harrop won the class for nine cultivars from at least three divisions (below right).

Steve Ryan had Best Bloom in show with ‘Carole Lombard’ and Best Vase of three blooms with ‘Inverpolly’

The following gallery of photos shows the winning entry in most classes. Click on a picture to enlarge it. Apologies for the quality of some of the pictures. Unedited, poor background, new camera (must learn to focus it on the subject properly).