East Lancs. Group AGS Show 19th March

[ranunculus]

And some more ...

[ranunculus]

And some more ...

[ranunculus]

And finally … a lovely little Serapias neglecta from Barry Tattersall.

[Dave M]

Great pictures Cliif and an amazing haul of prizes Dave Morris, well done mate

Cheers Lawrence, might have been a different result if you were not off galavanting and spending! How was it?

[Matt T]

Cracking plants on display there, thanks Cliff. Someone get me to a show ASAP!

[shelagh]

Rather late in posting this we were at the  Hepatica Day yesterday.

There is a new class in the AGS Show Schedules this year. "1 pan planted as a miniature garden, see note 22b, which reads with the emphasis on creating a garden setting including , if desired, accessories."  This one wasn't on the Show Bench but on one of the Trade Stands. I was told it had been designed by Ryan Forshaw who is paralized from the neck down. His carers are the ones who turn his ideas into a garden.  Thought you might like to see.

[Maggi Young]

Folks may be interested to learn a little about Ryan, his  philosophy and his company;  Grow Your Ideas  :
http://www.growyourideas.co.uk/pages/about-us     

[veteran vet]

Later than ever, probably folk are looking forward to Cleveland rather than back to last weekend, usual crowd of friendly folk, food might even have been better than ever given the selection of tempting 'morsels' if you can describe large slabs of cake and buns as 'morsels....I did not notice anyone complaining. The only blot on the landscape was the A1 being closed heading south with very little warning or signage and diversion signs were non existent, good job there were two of us in the car to get round the problem...was a cause of much comment from those exhibitors caught out by it.
I have too many pictures that are repeats of what has already been well covered so will edit some out.
Selecting the Farrer Medal winner might have been difficult from the judging point of view because the contenders were all of good quality, just different so when it comes down to it as a judge you go where your interest is, at any rate
Dionysia bryoides from Derek Pickard (60) was the winner, beating (I assume) from Certificate of Merit winners
Hepatica Gyousei (16) from Brian and Shelagh Smethurst, but did win them Jim Lever Memorial Trophy
Corydalis sewerzowii (14) from Peter Hood, as good as it was last week at Kendal and
Ypsiladra thibetica (26) from Ian and Maria Leslie...there were several on the bench (even took one myself), I learned at the show that to propagate all you need to do is pull a leaf off and stick in the sand and hey presto, a new plant
A three pan class from Don Peace, Fritillaria carica, Primula Arduaine, Anisitome imbricata

[veteran vet]

In the main so far it would seem that Saxifraga have not been at the forefront at shows so far this year, however, as you might expect, there are always some that buck the trend
Saxifraga 'Allendale Tommy' from Tommy Anderson (68)
Saxifraga 'Allendale Ghost' (2) again same exhibitor
Saxifraga 'Rubens' (19) from Geoff Mawson , neither of the last two were in small pans, were 25-30 cm
Show scene, unusual for me I know, plus a person...Booker T and the MGs if my memory remember an old 'pop group'

[veteran vet]

I will now show a few pictures of Primula that have been raised by Brian Burrow, he only names good ones, usually by a family connection, the way he is producing such fine exhibits I think he may have to start up more family!!!
Primula allionii 'Rosemary Burrow from Geoff Rollinson (55)
Primula allionii 'Francis Burrow' and
Primula allionii 'Judy Burrow', both shown by the man himself in class 55
Sticking with primula
Primula 'Eureka' from Frank and Barbara Hoyle (56) was an excellent exhibit and
Primula x meridiana 'Miniera' from Peter hood in 7 was as good as I have seen it for such a large pan

[veteran vet]

When you have been around the shows for some years (putting it mildly) you come to expect certain plants to appear every year, such a one is
Fritillaria albuyana from Geoff Rollinson (73)
Bench scene, this one of the small classes of P allionii
Pulsatilla vernalis (66) from Ian and Maria Leslie, one of those plants that always reminds me of the Alps, the excitement when first we saw it
The trough class winner from John and Clare Dower, masters of the art
The most points in the Open section, won by Don Peace with such exhibits as class 4 a three pan
P. Netta Dennis, P.x Arduaine. P nana alba

[David Nicholson]

By any chance had Mr. Booker shoved some (a lot!) plants up his shirt?

[ranunculus]

Are you referring to my money belt, Mr N.?

[ranunculus]

… And the image was taken just AFTER lunch.

[David Nicholson]