THERE were some beautiful exhibits at the Caversham Horticultural Spring Show.
President of the society Les Cooper was surprised by the quality of the exhibits, while show Secretary Gwyneth Rowlands was delighted to see not only plenty of daffodils and tulips, but also a flurry of new members entering for the first time this year.
New entrant Hugh Hamilton, from Caversham Heights was very surprised to walk away with two firsts, for his specimen tulip and six stems of flowering shrubs, a second place for his three stems of tulips and a third place for his specimen daffodil.
He said he only entered because his neighbour, Hazel Blackburn, encouraged him to have a go and he hadn’t expected to win anything.
Hazel, who has entered horticultural shows for many years, was awarded Best in Show for her beautiful red amarylis with four flower heads, which also won the flowering pot plant class.
In addition, Hazel won two other first places, for her vase of daffodils and a specimen of any other flower, a camelia, and she won a second place for her specimen daffodil, and a third for her grape hyacinths.
Everyone was pleased to see a few entries in children’s classes this year which included a garden in half a seed tray, and two drawing and colouring classes.
Membership secretary Elain Rae said that the weather is making it difficult to put in gardening time, especially if people can only get to work at the weekend, and rain makes that impossible.
Like many other gardeners, however, she remains optimistic that when the weather improves growers will be able to catch up.
Caversham Horticultural Society aims to encourage everyone to enjoy gardening.
Its members can benefit from monthly talks at Caversham Baptist Church Hall on a variety of topics, a trading shed with gardening supplies,and opportunities to take part in two shows annually.
The society would love to see more entries from children in future shows.
For information, visit: caversham-horticultural.org.uk
