EAST LANCASHIRE AGS SHOW 24th March 2012

[ranunculus]

May we remind forum members that the East Lancashire AGS Show takes place this Saturday 24th March 2012 at The Riverside, Whitworth Civic Hall, Market Street, (A671) WHITWORTH, near Rochdale. OL12 8DP and that you are all VERY, VERY WELCOME!!!

We can offer over 130 classes, excellent nurseries, superb raffle/tombola, free parking, wonderful refreshments and that unique East Lancashire welcome and atmosphere. 

Have a safe and trouble free journey - we look forward to seeing you. 

[Maggi Young]

Ooh! For a minute there I thought I read 130 kinds of refreshments..... I was thinking that was a tad excessive, even for a piglet like me.... but I see I was jumping to conclusions... it's 130 classes - may I send hopes that all 130 are well filled with great examples of the show growers' art?

Weather seems to be pretty good in many parts of the country right now so I hope that will mean record turnouts for both East Lancs AGS and the  new SRGC Kincardine Show.

[Martinr]

Talking of refreshments, I assume the breakfast butties will be to the usual astonishing standard.....can't wait

[ranunculus]

Talking of refreshments, I assume the breakfast butties will be to the usual astonishing standard.....can't wait

I will be astonished as well, Martin!   

We have sausages as well this year ... get your order in early!

[Palustris]

We decided that for the first time since it became a National show we would give it a miss. We are going to Waterperry instead. Wish I could do both but no way can I drive those sort of distances these days.
 Hope the show is as good as it usually is and look forward to the photos afterwards.

[Tim Ingram]

Is there a name for a bevy of soldanellas? A fringe party perhaps, or a charm. They must be the daintiest and prettiest of alpine flowers. Very good wishes for the Show from Kent.

[ranunculus]

Is there a name for a bevy of soldanellas? A fringe party perhaps, or a charm. They must be the daintiest and prettiest of alpine flowers. Very good wishes for the Show from Kent.

It's got to be a fairy ring, Tim!   
They come a very close second to high mountain buttercups in my league table.
Your good wishes are much appreciated.

[JohnnyD]

Great thread Cliff.
I can confirm that butties will be available as usual - our fridge is currently stuffed withat least a porkers worth of bacon!
We also expect the usual crop of excellent cakes and sandwiches for lunch as well as potato pie with red cabbage and mushy peas. Real East Lancs fare.
weather seems set fair and a great day is anticipated.
Hope to see you all there, even those of us who are not!
Cheers,
JohnnyD

[Maggi Young]

Johnny,  this is yet another example of all the extra work that is involved in making a show a success... over and above preparing a show hall ( and tidying up afterwards) and receiving the plants for judging etc etc etc etc..... there is a mountain of   bacon errrrrrr, work to be done before the show can be enjoyed by exhibitors and  visitors alike.

I'm just taking this chance to applaud everyone who contributes to all the shows around the country to enable such spectacles to take place.

Three Cheers for the Show Helpers!!  

[ranunculus]

Heartiest congratulations to Show Secretary; Carol Kellett and her amazing team on another magnificent East Lancashire AGS national show at Whitworth, near Rochdale today.  The weather proved as glorious as many of the superb exhibits and the full and colourful benches attracted many enthusiastic visitors to the lovely hall.
A first batch of images to set the scene.  The Farrer Medal was won by Nottingham's Robert Rolfe with a stunning Draba ossetica - his medal winning exhibit and a photo of Robert open this post...

[ranunculus]

More from East Lancashire Show today ...

[ranunculus]

A gorgeous Fritillaria davidii (and some close-ups) shown by Brian and Jo Walker ...

[Maggi Young]

What super shots, Cliff.... feeels like I'm right there.... I think it's the smell of butties coming from the kitchen....where I spot the Dowers hard at work.   

Congrats to Robert for his medal.... chubby sort of plant.
Looking at that class in another photo, it must have been a blow to the person with the fat Sax. marginata in the same class to only get a third 

[David Nicholson]

In the last one of the first set is the bloke in the foreground in the stripy jumper saying "if I nip out whilst they're all talking will they miss this one?"

[ranunculus]

In the last one of the first set is the bloke in the foreground in the stripy jumper saying "if I nip out whilst they're all talking will they miss this one?"

Probably!   
The 'bloke' in question is top exhibitor, judge, photographer, lecturer and all-round good guy Jim Almond from Shrewsbury, who was carrying an exhibit to the photographic area to be recorded for posterity.  Whether he brought it back is also open to question!!