THE 68th Bere Ferrers Spring Show was held last Saturday as the sun shone a golden glow and exotic perfumed blooms greeted the judges, exhibitors and visitors alike.

The wet, topsy-turvy weather conditions of recent months had created havoc with the normal mid season entries, resulting in an unusual bonus of (blooms) and bulbs in bloom overlapping through early, mid and late season varieties with a cavalcade of colour and form, not normally seen in a mid- season spring show.

As usual the trumpet daffodils, large, small cupped and double daffodils took centre stage of the displays but the smaller daffodils of garden origin such as the cyclamineus, tazetta and poeticus varieties have gained in popularity.

This year two novice classes were presented with bulb vouchers from R and A Scamp Quality Daffodils. A special delivery of historical varieties by Dr Francis Howard Pearce was particularly interesting.

Other flowers in variety and the domestic sections were well supported — the children’s decorated cupcakes looked delicious and the photography was of a high standard.

There were sales tables of cut flowers and plants, home-made refreshments and a splendid raffle.

Chairman Margaret Willmott thanked her committee, all the extra help needed and provided in staging the show, the judges and entrants – it was particularly pleasing to welcome new exhibitors. Organisers thanked the hardworking judges. Section one: Peter Argles, patron; John Lanyon, president; section two and three: B Shaw; Iris Snell, decorative and children’s; Marian Lethbridge and Mrs Spry, domestic; section six, photography Mr G Leach.

The chairman introduced the Rev Dawn Oakley, assistant priest of St Andrews and Holy Trinity Churches, who presented 30 coveted trophies to the winners.

Residual narcissi flowers were sent to Westview, Vere Peninsula Care Ltd – the major sponsor of the show. Due to the popularity of an added craft sale in 2015, this was repeated and was held in the Bere Ferrers Social Club. There was much to interest, tempt and inspire.

A large selection of crafts were on offer which included traditional wood-turning, furniture, lace, path work, decorated cakes, hand-thrown pottery hand-blown glass, wooden toys, jewellery, wreaths and pot pouri, clocks, cards, preserves, clothes, fused glass decorations and cards by a local artist in water colour based media.

Bere Ferrers Spring Flower Show Trophy Winners 2016

Page Challenge Cup, most points in show, Dr F Howard; Bradford Challenge Bowl, most points in show runner-up, C Street; Fenton Challenge Cup, most points for trumpet daffodils, I Paull; Gazette Challenge Cup, most points for large cup daffodils, Dr F Howard; Bennett Memorial Cup, most points for double daffodils, C Street; Bere Ferrers Social Club Cup, most points for other daffodils, C Street; Crocker Williams Cup, most points other flowers, Dr F Howard; Frampton Cup, most points in garden produce section, B Harrison; Doris Friend Memorial Bowl, most points in decorative section, Mrs M Crout; HMS Plate, decorative runner-up, M Willmott; Reg Collom Memorial Cup, most points in domestic section, M Willmott; Domestic Challenge Cup, runner-up in domestic section, P Gallagher; Plumb Cup, most points in photographic section, T Wagstaff; Challenge Cup, most points children’s crafts, Amelie Alden; Joe Pengelly Cup, runner-up children’s crafts, Eloise Alden; Shirley Wakefield-Smith Memorial Cup, most points children’s cookery classes, Albie Chevin, Lizzy Chevin, Amelie Alden; Domestic Children’s Cup, runner-up children’s cookery classes, Eloise Alden; Dick Jackson Young Growers Trophy, best exhibit, children’s daffodils, Thomas Kennedy; Barbara Grinstead Memorial Plate, best exhibit trumpet daffodil, I Paul; Fyffes Munro Cup, best exhibit large cup daffodil, I Paul; Somers Gibson Cup, best small cup daffodil, F Howard; Coronation Cup, best exhibit double daffodil, Dr F Howard; Fred Grinstead Trophy, best exhibit of Bere Ferrers, C Street; Alan and Lucy Langsford Trophy, best exhibit in other daffodils classes, C Street; Bere Ferrers Challenge Cup, best exhibit daffodil collection, Dr F Howard; Elsie Hall Plate, best exhibit in other flowers classes, C Clark; Marjorie Statton Rose Bowl, best pot plant in show, Mrs R Charlton; Agnes Jury Cup, best exhibit in decorative section, Mrs M Crout; RHS Banksian Medal, most points in horticultural sections, Dr F Howard; Daffodil Society Medal, most points in section one, Dr F Howard; first in novice class, Veronica Barden and Wendy Hicks.