AGS show Loughborough Mar08

[Diane Clement]

I'll start the ball rollling with some pictures of yesterday's show, in the hope that others will add theirs.  More later

Loughborough show, general views
Dionysias were in top form yesterday and the best of all was Farrer plant Dionysia curviflora - surprisingly a first Farrer win for Alan Newton (although I guess he must have won a Forrest medal before)

[mark smyth]

Only three photos! I'll sit and wait a while

[Martin Baxendale]

The primulas were in pretty good form too. Thanks, Diane.

[mark smyth]

I really need to visit one of these shows. I'm sure I asked before but which are the big ones?

[David Nicholson]

I really need to visit one of these shows. I'm sure I asked before but which are the big ones?

Depends on what time of the year, and where it is easiest for you to fly to.

http://www.alpinegardensociety.net/servlet/articleservlet?command=viewgeneralarticle&sitearea=show&category=dates

[David Nicholson]

Lovely Diane, Dionysia curviflora marvellous-how does he do it?

[Maggi Young]

He's a jolly good grower, David! And in for a ticking off when I next speak to him....... I have just logged in here, after work and dog walking, to discover this exciting news from Loughborough. Not a dickie bird from the man himself.
 Thanks, Diane!!    How was the weather for your trip ?

[Maggi Young]

 So thrilled by this news...congratulations  Alan, and lots of love from Ian and I and from Wee Helen, who was just on the phone and who was tickled pink !

[ranunculus]

Many thanks Diane...lovely shots.
Congratulations Alan...a beautiful plant.

[Maggi Young]

Did you have show plants down, Diane? How did you get on? Pix, please!!

[Diane Clement]

I really need to visit one of these shows. I'm sure I asked before but which are the big ones?

They are ALL pretty big, and ALL worth attending.  Every Saturday from now until mid May and then a few more.

 

Thanks, Diane!!    How was the weather for your trip ?

Great, thanks, and good to catch up with everyone after the long winter break, well, nearly everyone! We missed the Smethursts, who, due to babysitting duties had given their apologies in advance.  However, no good excuse was received from Mr C Bookercup for his absence. 

Did you have show plants down, Diane? How did you get on? Pix, please!!

I didn't have anything worth singing about, but others did 

Oops, just realised I haven't reduced the resolution on the other pics, so there will now be an intermission, unless "someone else"   has any pics    

[Luc Gilgemyn]

You're keeping us in suspense Diane  !

[Maggi Young]

Earlier this evening I spent half an hour on the phone, telling Alan Newton in no uncertain terms that I wasn't speaking to him because he had not told us himself of his Farrer Medal Success. I hope he is suitably chastened 
Alan was telling me that the Farrer winning plant was bought about twenty-five years ago from Brian Burrows. Seems like a good investment to me.
 I think celebratory glasses of Irn Bru will be raised at dinner in the Newton household this evening 

[Diane Clement]

I didn't actually take many pictures, due to too much time spent catching up with gossip, too much plant buying and too much time spent in the pub. 
But here's a few.
Best effort from a forumist (assuming Alan Newton isn't a lurker!) was John Gennard's superb Class 1 six-pan, earning a well-deserved AGS medal. 3 of these

Eranthis "Guinea Gold"
Primula "Clarence Elliott"
and an especially superb
Hepatica japonica

[Maggi Young]

Well-done John! How terrific..... and well-deserved, I would opine! 
Good shots, Diane, in spite of the funny lighting in the hall..... and the visit to the pub!