Shaftesbury snowdrop study, sale and social 2015

[Maggi Young]

Hope you're feeling a bit better now , Richard. I'm in the same boat - been poorly so wouldn't have been fit to attend anyway - not sure if that makes me feel better or worse 

[Maggi Young]

Forumist Dean C. has allowed me to post some of his pix  etc.....

"A great day out. Excellent talks by Steve Owen and Matt Bishop. Steve gave hope to those of us who will always consider themselves beginner/enthusiast and Matt tempted us with a vast array of wonderful photos which cranks up the anticipation of The New Testament to another level. Out of respect to Steve and Matt's intellectual rights, my photo's will not include any of the Galanthus from the talks. Here a few of Shaftesbury, the frenetic sale, the Abbey and some of The Galantherati!"

Emma introducing  Steve to start with.....

    Emma intro for Steve Owen  -pix from  Dean C.
    Familiar view  of Shaftesbury
    DC  pic - Steve O  at  Shaftesbury
    DC pic - Avon Line up- with "Ding Dong"
    DC  pic - Janet B. helping at  Monksilver stall

[Maggi Young]

Rudi Bauer -  the first German nurseryman to appear in the Shaftesbury Sale....

Another Avon Bulbs shot ... with the lovely Maxine , our "Ding Dong"

Happy Devonians  joking over the Monksilver tables

Other snowdroppy things for sale

[RichardW]

Hope you're feeling a bit better now , Richard. I'm in the same boat - been poorly so wouldn't have been fit to attend anyway - not sure if that makes me feel better or worse 

Getting there slowly, really knocked me out last week  not very good at doing nothing so looking forward to getting back to work. My voice isn't great from coughing so guided tours will be with a Barry White impersonator next week 

[Maggi Young]

Getting there slowly, really knocked me out last week  not very good at doing nothing so looking forward to getting back to work. My voice isn't great from coughing so guided tours will be with a Barry White impersonator next week 

   An extra charge should definitely be made for that!

[Maggi Young]

Some more photos from Shaftesbury.....  you will see in the last pic  that they take security very seriously in Shaftesbury- look at this magnificent  snowdrop guard....
   Abbey Ruins Shaftesbury
   Abbey  snowdrop theatre1
   Abbey  snowdrop theatre 2
   Snowdrop Wheelbarrow
   Security measures

[Maggi Young]

Many thanks to Dean for his pix .... now for some from the Snowdrop Hat Lady herself.... Ms Emma Thick......

 These from before the start of the sale....
no shortage of retail therapy available, it seemed

[Maggi Young]

Now,  these next ones may not be in the order of  "seeing" .... but it will show you the range of 'drops spotted..... often by sharp eyed forumists!

 Starting with the imaginative floral decorations of little containers on the coach windows with snowdrops in....


pictures from Cranborne...

[Maggi Young]

on we go... with a  *2 by 2*

 

[Maggi Young]

now a *4 by 4 * elwesii   - two pix

and an oddity  spotted by Alan B. - two pix

 one with a big "butterfly"  inner mark

[Maggi Young]

Now for a BIG  beauty.... this is a large flower - even allowing for the fact that Emma has little hands!

[emma T]

Thanks Maggi

They look good don't they !

[Maggi Young]

More to come from you, Emma, when I get the chance .... meantime, here's an informative quote from Shaftesbury Snowdrop Festival "head girl" Pam C. -
"Emma having her cake today. Superb and informative tour of the snowdrops at Shaftesbury Abbey then tea and lots of snowdrop cake at the Grosvenor Arms"

.... it goes with this pic......

[Maggi Young]

right, now for some more of the Cranborne 'drops ....

[Maggi Young]

and....