Dunblane Show 2008

[Maggi Young]

A fun day today at the Stirling Show in Dunblane. Congratulations to those members working so hard to make it a great day for all the visitors.
I am perhaps the world's worst photographer with my little digital number... so I crave your indulgence of my wobbly shots 
Cyril Lafong had a really successful day, winning just a bout everything with a selection of super plants... sadly, these were so popular I hardly got near them after judging and so, I can't belive I'm having to admit this... I haven't a photo of the Forrest Medal Plant! 
For the record, it was a pan of Trillium rivale 'Purple Heart' and was fresh as the proverbial daisy.
I do have a pic of Cyril, though, here in conversation with Jim Paterson, with Jean Wyliie whizzing past  in the background.
Pic two is of Jean daughters, Karen and Susie, who were working hard in the kitchen... until I came to interrupt them. Their cute assorted children were helping out, too.
Susie has just become and SRGC member  again, after her childhood membership days, and entered a lovely pot of Erythronium dens canis in the show.
Third pic is of Anne Chambers, holding  the print of her Cyclamen painting, (also won by Cyril! !) which is the  special SRGC 75th Jubilee prize at all our shows this year.
Pic 4 is truly awful pic of the plant which won the Jubilee prize for Cyril, best plant in a 6 inch pot.... Fritillaria crassifolia ssp. poluninii........shame on me for this photo because the plant was an absolute corker! Loved it!
Pic fiv is of some of the judges, signing the certificates: nearest the camera, Sam Sutherland, leaning down to sign, Cathy Caudwell, John Lee and the Gandalf lookalike is Barry Caudwell. Ian and I were also judging.

[Lvandelft]

Must ave been an interesting, nice and busy day, Maggi?

I haven't a photo of the Forrest Medal Plant!   

 
And you missed the "Prima Vera" too.     

[Maggi Young]

It was a most enjoyable day, Luit, but yes, we have missed the Prima Vera.... who was first to San Remo?

[Lvandelft]

After an enormous jump, appr. 500 m before finish: Fabian Casardelli.
Very exciting !     

[Maggi Young]

Casardelli?    Is it Fabian Cancellara, the Swiss of Team CSC??
Was Erik Zabel racing.... I like him. What about Cipollini... they said some weeks ago that he was riding again and that he would ride the Milan - San Remo ??

[Anthony Darby]

I have some pics, including the Forest medal plant, but it will have to wait. Lucy's 9 tomorrow and the house is still a tip, so not had time to edit pics on Vivienne's computer.

[Maggi Young]

Oh! Happy Birthday , Lucy!

[Lvandelft]

Is it Fabian Cancellara, the Swiss of Team CSC??

Yes ofcourse Maggi, I must have been too excited but Fabian it was...

Was Erik Zabel racing.... I like him.

Yes he was still in the frontlines at the finale.
He is very sympathic. And after 300 Km. it is only for the strongest having a chance on winning.

What about Cipollini...

Mario was not there today.

[Anthony Darby]

Here's some pics from the show. First some general views, the three pics of Cyril Lafong's Forest Medal winning Trillium rivale 'Purple heart', Tecophilia cyanocrocus leichtlinii 'Stormcloud' and a fabulous Viola columnaris.

[Anthony Darby]

Here's another selection: Ian and Cyril notice that a member of the public has wandered in by mistake.
Tecophilias, Callianthemum kernerianmu, Fritillaria eduardii and F. raddeana, which Graeme Buttler said had grown 6" during the show!

[ChrisB]

Some super shots there.  Cyril is certainly the man to beat!  And did I spot a shot of Gill, our brave and fearless leader of the North Northumberland Group?  She said she was going....

Wish I could have been there, though I'm sure some of the exhibits will be wending their way down to Hexham next Saturday.  Looks like a really great show.  Congrats to everyone!

[Paddy Tobin]

Goodness, Anthony,

That Tecophilia 'Stormcloud' and Trillium rivale 'Purple Heart' are absolutely outstanding plants. In truth, I am not surprised. I have seen plants grown by Cyril previously(on this forum, not in the flesh) and he certainly has a masterful talent for producing plants of great health and beauty. It is always a pleasure to view them.

Great photographs, Anthony.

Many thanks, Paddy

[Anthony Darby]

Oh! Happy Birthday , Lucy!

Thanks Maggi. Lucy's had a great day. Loads of chocolate!

[Ian Y]

Thanks for the pictures Anthony, I had intended to take lots of pictures but never managed to get any - to much chatting - must do better in future.
The big pot of tecophilaea you show is not  'Stormcloud' it is T. leichtlinii.
Cyril did have a small pot of Tecophilaea 'Stormcloud'  on the bench which is a cross between leichtlinii and violaceae and has a large white centre and a purple-ish blue colour towards the end of the petals.
Fred Hunt also showed a pot labeled 'Storm Cloud' but it was 'Craigton Cloud' which is a selection from leichtlinii.
Watch out for this weeks bulb log which will feature tecophilaea

[Anthony Darby]

Thanks Ian. I have a pot labelled 'Stormcloud' in the greenhouse, but I must have transposed the label because it is definitely 'Violacea'.