Cyril Lafong wins the first SRGC Gold George Forrest Memorial Medal and is honoured by the "Caley" Cyril Lafong’s prowess as a rock gardener and exhibitor has been recognised by The Scottish Rock Garden Club and by the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society. At the SRGC Early Bulb Display held in Dunblane’s Victoria Hall on 20th February 2016 we had a double ceremony.
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First SRGC President David Rankin congratulated Cyril on exhibiting plants which on 50 occasions had won The George Forrest Memorial Medal for Best Plant in an SRGC show. A few years ago Cyril gained his Silver Forrest Medal for winning 10 Forrest medals.
Harold Esslemont paid for the first 6 silver Forrest Medals. At the time, the Club thought 6 would be plenty as so few people won more than a couple. Only seven silver Forrest medals have been presented in the Club’s 83 year history and of these, four of the recipients have passed away. This emphasises just how magnificent is Cyril’s achievement.
Since winning his 50th Forrest medal at the SRGC show in Kincardine last spring he has gathered another three. President David said in his tribute that by setting his own high standards for his exhibits he had raised the quality of plants in all the SRGC shows.
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Next, Pam Whittle, President of the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society, presented Cyril with the Dr Patrick Neill Medal.
After reading the citation President Pam gave Cyril his certificate, medal and a copy of the citation. (You can see Sandy Leven's whole report by clicking
HERE.)
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The Early Bulb Display was chosen for the presentations as it is where the biggest number of SRGC members congregate to celebrate the end of winter. After Cyril thanked his wife Annielle for her patience and fellow members for their encouragement and support the audience erupted in enthusiastic applause, pleased that Cyril’s prowess had been recognised by the Caley (as the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society is affectionately known) as well as by the SRGC.
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Congratulations Cyril, you truly deserve these awards!
