Northumberland Show at Hexham, 2010

[ranunculus]

Farrershown by Alan Spenceley, reputed to b e about 40 years old

Nay, nay and thrice nay ... Alan is certainly older than 40!   

[Maggi Young]

Lots more pictures to follow tomorrow, but I must now go and catch up on much needed sleep (after 4a.m. start this morning and 450 mile round trip to Hexham)

Crikey, is it that far? That's about  the same as the trip there would be for us.... and one which we sadly feel is too far. 

[Diane Clement]

Crikey, is it that far? That's about  the same as the trip there would be for us.... and one which we sadly feel is too far.    

I would guess it's a tad further for you, Maggi.  But not so far for Jean and Glassford, and a mere hop from Glasgow or Paisley or wherever it is those lads come from  

Yes, it is too far for me to drive there and back in a day, but luckily I have a sister who lives about half way so I drive to Carol's then she does the rest.  

[ChrisB]

Glad that birthday was properly celebrated Diane.

[Diane Clement]

when a region is mentioned, they mean *species* from that region, not cultivars or crosses.  For newbies like me, it would be nice if it was spelled out in the literature though.... Its ok for more experienced exhibitors who know the ropes,  but for greenhorns like moi ......

I have asked for this to be discussed at the Show Secretaries' meeting in Edinburgh, Christine, so we should have clearer wording in future.  

It is in the handbook, but like lots of other things, I still think that it's often best to confirm on the day if you are not sure

From AGS Shows Handbook - Rules and Regulations
Geographical classes are those which include the words from or native to followed by the name of a country or region, e.g. ‘one pan rock plant from Asia’. Geographical classes are for species and/or natural hybrids, excluding garden hybrids.  (the boundary between Europe and Asia - as defined by Kew - is shown inside the back cover)

So if it says  ‘One pan rock plant from Asia’ you can’t include cultivars,.  If it says one pan primula, Asiatic you can, so for example Primula “Tantallon” or “Netta Dennis” would not be allowed in “One pan from Asia” but they would be allowed in “One pan Primula, Asiatic”.  

It can be confusing to beginners, and so are many other things but there are always people around on the day to help and advice.  It not unusual to see quite experienced growers consulting others about geographical areas their plant comes from, and NAS cards do occasionally get given where these plants haven’t been spotted before judging.  

The one that catches some out (including judges) is  when cultivar-type names are applied to natural selections, e.g. Rhododendron ‘Yaku Fairy’ or Colchicum szovitzii “Tivi”.  These would both be allowed in “from Asia” classes as they are not cultivars but natural selections.  So long as the judges know that, we are OK!  

[Diane Clement]

Just a few to post, lots more later (unless VV gets in first  )

General view of bench1
ditto2
ditto3
Large 6 pan AGS medal winning entry from Mark Childerhouse
Super Gold medal winning display from the RBGE and John Mitchell

[ranunculus]

Super shots Di ... did you have your tripod with you, because the lighting is often difficult in that show hall?

[Diane Clement]

Super shots Di ... did you have your tripod with you, because the lighting is often difficult in that show hall? 

Of course, tripod is essential for me, especially after lunchtime celebratory tipple 

Actually, I found the lighting very good, no over-bright low sun coming in from the side which is often the case and impossible to manage, and no energy-efficient orange lights such as at Loughborough.  Any dodgy ones I take two: spot metered and general metered.  If the spot metering is a little dark that can easily be tweaked and the colours are better saturated.

[ichristie]

Well I sure am glad that someone had a camera unlike me who was up and away at 5am then went to pick up Cyril who took 3 plants we really enjoyed the day and a huge thank you to the Newton family ( Victoria was especially just ACE) they looked after everybody at lunchtime, I got a super doggy bag full of goodies for Ann,( must mention Trevor and Angie) you should have seen her face when it was opened, Maggie you missed out this time sorry. I am still Christmas crackered today but it was well worth the effort to visi Hexam, Cyril had a great day as well meeting people he has only heard about,  cheers Ian the Christie kind.

[Diane Clement]

I'll start the pictures rolling

3 pan shown by Ian Kidman Saxifraga "Coolock Kate" and Primula "Joan Hughes" at the front
Dionysia curviflora the back part of the 3 pan

[Diane Clement]

Sebaea thomasii shown by Tom Green
Primula "Mars" part of a 3 pan shown by Frank and Barbara Hoyle
Primula "Miniera" also part of the same 3 pan

[Diane Clement]

Still on primulas
Primula "Netta Dennis" shown by Don Peace
Primula megaseifolia shown by Terry Mitchell
Primula petiolaris shown by Joan Bradbury

[Diane Clement]

Continuing the primula theme
Primula "Lismore Sunshine" shown by Alan Spenceley
Primula "Tantallon" shown by Ian Christie

[Diane Clement]

Corydalis integra shown by Darren Sleep
Corydalis popovii shown by Cyril Lafong
Corydalis solida Penza strain shown by Don Peace

[Diane Clement]

3 pan Narcissus from Anne Wright

(Front left: N watieri x gaditanus, Front right: N rupicola x asturiensis "Jim Lad", Back: N jonquilla var henriquesii)

Narcissus "Jim Lad"