VISITORS to the 153rd Tavistock and District Flower Show were greeted with a kaleidoscope of colourful blooms despite entries being down this year.
The event, in the pannier market on Monday and Tuesday was opened by town mayor Cllr Judith Williams who was introduced by Tavistock and District Gardening Club chairman Geoffrey Willetts.
Mrs Williams, who last opened the show six years ago, praised the craft and handicraft and photographic sections as well as the flowers and produce. She also said it was good to see children entering as they were the show of the future.
Some of the very best in flowers and produce were on display. Flowers ranging from the subtle hues of sweet pinks to vibrant cascades of fuchsia competed for attention. There were splendid examples of the more exotic — including an impressive array of bonsai, cacti and carnivorous plants.
Entries were from a catchment area including Plymouth, Callington, Launceston and Sourton. Show secretary John Reynolds said one section that had seen a particular decrease was in home
produce.
'This is the 153rd show but at the 150th there were 16 tables of home produce and this year we have five. People don't seem to have the same inclination to enter these days because there are too many easy ways out of food making,' he said.
This year's show had 978 entries with 130 exhibitors taking part in an impressive 283 classes.
One young competitor who had a great show was Alec Neve, 7, from College Avenue, Tavistock — winning seven classes in the under-sevens and two in the adult classes.
'I help my grandad with his fuchsias. It's fun. I know how to take cuttings,' said Alec who lists among his favourite programmes Ground Force and Garden World.
Tavistock couple Anthony and Jenny Wonnacott went home with an armful of prizes after putting in an impressive 94 entries ranging from cooking, cacti, pot plants, vegetables and floral art.
'We have been coming here for 20 years. I love the show. We used to exhibit at eight shows but now we just do this one and Bere Alston,' said Jenny.
Joice Reith from Dousland, who with her husband, Jack, brought a general selection from their cacti collection, said more people were becoming interested in these plants because they are easy to grow.
'Some people don't like the run-of-the-mill, they like something different and these plants provide that.'
John Reynolds said the show tries to cater for the vagaries of the gardening world, adding gardeners had a problem with the very warm spell back in February and March which encouraged growth — followed by cold and wet when everything stopped.
'It took a lot of plants a great deal of time to catch up — runner beans are one example. We have some experienced show people here that produce the very best and will not exhibit unless they have the best. But this is a wide open show with lots of first timers,' he said.
John has decided this will be his last year as show secretary.
'I have done it for five years and I think it needs new blood and new ideas otherwise it gets stale. I made a lot of changes. The computerisation has been my main contribution because we now print all our own show cards,' said John, who now hopes to have more time for his own garden.