STANDS were blossoming with colour on the last official day of winter at the 63rd Bere Ferrers Flower Show.

The annual show boasted an array of specimens, including narcissi, quince, amaryllis, rose, red camellias and fritillarias and although principally a flower show, there were some huge examples of vegetables.

Special themes were the royal wedding and bridges, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Saltash Road Bridge.

Visitors showed interest in the unique display of historical varieties of narcissi from the Tavy and Tamar Valleys, organised by Frances Howard, and the photographic section proved popular with fierce competition and clever interpretations of 'Patterns in Nature'.

The children worked hard on their exhibits, making decorated biscuits, cup cakes, bread rolls and seed tray gardens. Those who gained most points in each section received a book as well as a trophy.

The judges declared the exhibits were of a high standard.

Chairman Margaret Willmott reported a rise in entries of up to 570, topping last year, with competitors ranging from four years old to 90.

The plant stall did a roaring trade in mixed narcissi bunches, camellias and donated plants, while the committee was kept busy supplying home-made refreshments.

A warm welcome was given to Viscountess Boyd of Ince Castle, Saltash, a former committee member and keen gardener, who presented trophies and prizes.

Results: Bradford Challenge Bowl (most points in show), C Street; Crookshank Trophy (most pts, runner up) M Willmott; Fenton Challenge Cup (most pts, div 1) I Paull; Gazette Challenge Cup (div 2) F Howard; Bennett Memorial Cup (most pts div 4) C Street; Bere Ferrers Social Cup (most pts 122-129) C Street; Crocker Williams Cup (most pts 201-211) E Stowell; Frampton Cup (most pts in vegetable section) D Roxburgh; Doris Friend Memorial Bowl (most pts in decorative section) M Crout; HMS Plate (decorative r/u) A Parsons; Reg Collom Memorial Cup (most pts in domestic section) M?Willmott; Domestic Challenge Cup (r/u domestic section), A Street; Plumb Cup (most pts in photographic section) C Taylor; Challenge Cup (r/u, C2-C4) Reece Etherington; Joe Pengelly Cup (r/u C2 to C4), Eloise Alden; Domestic Children Cup (most pts C5-C8) Reece Etherington; Colonel Colville Cup (r/u C5-C8) Eloise Alden; Shirley Wakefield-Smith Memorial Cup (most pts C9-C12) Harriot Smith; Dick Jackson Young Growers' Trophy (best exhibit C1) Eloise Alden; Barbara Grinsted Memorial (best exhibition div 1) C Street); Fyffes Munro Cup (best exhibit div 2) D Roxborugh; Somers Gibson Cup (best exhibit div 3) D Roxburgh; Coronation Cup (best exhibit div 4) C Street; Fred Grinsted Trophy (best exhibit of Bere Ferrers) C Street; Page Challenge Cup (best exhibit 123-129) C Street; Bere Ferrers Challenge Cup (best exhibit in 131) C Street; Elsie Hall Plate (best exhibit 201-211) V Hamer; Marjorie Statton Rose Bowl (best pot plant in show - 212-214) B Harrison; Agnes Jury Cup (best exhibit in decorative section) M Crout.

Children's section: Section 7, U10s, winner, Eloise Alden; section 8 U10s, Reece Etherington; section 9 10-15yrs, Harriot Smith; section 10, 10-15yrs, Holly Dunn.

Thanks were expressed to judges J Lanyon (daffodils), G Bennett (other flowers and vegetables, Mrs Iris Snell (decorative and children's classes), Mrs A Yeo (domestic) and G Leech (photography).