A BOROUGH horticultural show filled California Ratepayers Hall with colour as competing gardeners showed off their prize blooms.
California Gardeners Club’s (CGC) Spring Show on Sunday was heavily weighted towards daffodils with 11 classes displaying many different species and hues, from crisp white to deepest yellow.
Sylvia Hawes CGC show officer said: “John Kerr and Terry Miller, both from Wokingham, displayed some perfect exhibits which were the envy of visitors in the afternoon.
“And John Kerr took the prize for the Best Exhibit in Show for his two vases of daffodils.”
There many daffodils on display thanks to the recent mild weather, but few tulips.
“Stuart Slocombe from Finchampstead proudly showed off his three Renaissance tulips,” said Sylvia.
“Other exhibitors asked just how he had achieved such a feat, and he explained that he moved his pot of tulips around his garden to follow the warmth of the sun, and brought them into the living room each evening to protect the growing bulbs from frost damage.
“Dedication indeed and worthy of a first prize.”
The most popular class of the event was My Best Daffodil.
19 members exhibited their most impressive bloom, and competition was fierce.
“Mr Graham Chapman found judging difficult, but Gwen Harvey from Woosehill was eventually pronounced the winner,” said Sylvia
Last Autumn members were challenged to grow five daffodil bulbs with the aim of exhibiting them in flower on Sunday.
Many members responded, with varying degrees of success.
Lesley Hicks from Finchampstead produced five perfect scented blooms, and was presented with a bottle of Prosecco to celebrate her victory.
“And a special mention must go to Karen Atree, her daughter Claire Temperley and granddaughter Macey, who joined the Club three years ago,” added Sylvia.
“Karen admits that when they first attended a Show, they thought that they would never dare to exhibit any of their efforts.
“Now however, the trio are among the most enthusiastic of exhibitors.
“This year they managed to win many classes including the handicraft class, writing class, several floral arrangement classes and Karen herself won the Best Domestic exhibit against very strong competition.”
The show was opened to the public, and in the afternoon the hall was filled with visitors and exhibitors enjoying tea, homemade cakes, and an auction of flowers and bakes.
The club thanks Tesco and Ashridge Garden Centre for generous donations to the raffle.
They meet monthly, and run a trading hut, tool sharpening events, and plant sales.
Their next Show is scheduled for early September.
For information, and to join, visit: californiagardenersclub.co.uk
