Spring Show 2025
One more day of warm weather and all our daffodils would have been in full bloom – writes Helen Howard. Instead, all the old tricks were employed to force them along. Bringing indoors to a warm sunny windowsill and warm water seemed to do the trick for some, and there were enough entries in the daffodil section to make a competition of it. The most popular daffodil class was the trumpet class with yellow petal and three stems, won by Sara Carvalho.
Ian Watson Spring Cup
Overall, the most points in the daffodil and floral section went to Gillian Rose who managed to retain the Ian Watson Spring Cup just 4 points ahead of Sue Grant in second place.
Well done to the novices
It is always good to see entries in the novice section, for those who have not won a first prize before. First place with 3 daffodil stems went to Kevin Morris. Well done to Edith Evans with a second place. The single stem winner was Katie Morris. Well done to the novices.
A well deserved winner
There were many quality plants in the pot plant section. Caroline Morris won first prize with her container of growing spring flowers. They were fabulous, but the pot was just a bit too big to fit on the table! The Richard Constantine Cup for best potted plant went to Sue Grant. Her beautiful pot plant ‘Queen’s tears’ was in full flower and a well deserved winner.
Photography
In the photography section, Russell Hunt won for his very clever photo themed ‘the sky’s the limit’, which managed to incorporate Jack and the Beanstalk. And in the drawing/painting class, Annabel Rost won with her beautiful illustration of a flowering bulb.
A lovely, moist and delicious looking cake
The largest number of entries were in the baking class. The recipe was provided for a Lemon Drizzle cake, and twelve people entered this class. The highest number of entries I have known for a long time. Our judge Annette Blackwell had the mammoth task of tasting every single one. Celia Brook won with a lovely, moist and delicious looking cake. Proof that practise does make perfect. Well done, Celia.
Junior entries
It was lovely to see so many children’s entries. The table was full of miniature gardens, jam jars of spring flowers, decorated biscuits and drawings of ‘springtime’. The most points went to Alice Carvalho, with Vicente Carvalho in second place. Joint third place went to Dylan and Daniel Leicester. Congratulations go to Alice who received the Junior Spring cup, and all the other children that entered received a well-done rosette.
Alec Grant
Before the awards were handed out, special recognition was given to Alec Grant who has been Chairman for eight years, before stepping down at the start of the year. His hard work and commitment ensured the Society survived through the Covid pandemic, such a difficult time for everyone, and his support continues to this day. Alec received a certificate and gift voucher in honour of his contribution, and the committee thank him for all he has done over the years.
And thanks..
Further thanks go to Annette Blackwell for judging, Sue Meek for the refreshments and Sue Grant on the raffle. Thanks also to committee members, Jo Wilson, Caroline and Kevin Morris for setting up and help on the day. Also, lovely to see Liz Kirton with great advice and show tips.
Potato Challenge
Special thanks to Jill Thomas for organising and running the Potato Challenge. You can still take part in this at the trading shed. Seed potatoes were handed out with the aim to grow them on in pots or sacks. Then, for the Summer show in August, the potatoes will be dug up and weighed to see who has the highest yield. Potatoes are still available from the trading shed and weigh-ins can be conducted via emailed photos if you are unable to attend the show.
Thank you to everyone that attended the spring 2025 show, and we look forward to seeing you at the 2025 summer show on 16th August. In the meantime, please watch out for news on talks/activities we will be running.
Happy Gardening
Helen Howard
Chair
Church Crookham and Fleet Garden Society.
