UNUSUALLY, narcissi were blooming in the Bere Peninsula as early as last October, but peaked in a wonderful display at the 64th Bere Ferrers Spring Flower Show held recently.

This year, special classes were introduced to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, and to reflect on the sinking of the Titanic in April 1912.

There was a special display of historical varieties which included advertising posters from 1952, and featured Van Sion, a double form introduced in 1620, 'Empress', 'Emperor' and 'Victoria' etc.

Exhibits were slightly down at 530 on last year's bumper crop, possibly due to bringing the show date forward, but were still a credit to the entrants.

The themed exhibits in the decorative and celebration cake sections were exquisite. The photography classes with subjects as diverse as fungi, black and white studies, butterflies and moths, contained stunning images. Other popular classes included the four main narcissi classes, flowering pot plants and domestic.

Thanks were expressed to the judges: P Argles, J Lanyon, G Bennett, Mrs I Snell, Mrs M Lethbridge and G Leech.

Chairman Margaret Willmott thanked everyone and introduced Dr Marion Langsford who presented the awards. Her late parents, Alan and Lucy Langsford, originally farmed 'Denham' as a strawberry market garden, but soon narcissi took pride of place and Alan became a renowned breeder and grower and was formerly president of the Bere Ferrers Show.

A new award the Royal Horticultural Society's Banksian Medal, for most points in the horticultural sections one to three was awarded this year.

Niamh Mugridge presented a bouquet to Dr Langsford and she in turn gave trophies to the following — Bradford Challenge Bowl, most points in show, C Street; Crookshank Trophy, most points in show runner-up, F Howard; Fenton Challenge Cup, most points, trumpet daffodils, I Paull; Gazette Challenge Cup, most points, large cup daffodils, C Street; Bennett Memorial Cup, most points, double daffodils, C Street; Bere Ferrers Social Club Bowl, most points, other daffodils, C Street; Crocker Williams Cup, most points, other flowers, C Street; Frampton Cup, most points, vegetable section, Dorian Roxburgh; Doris Friend Memorial Bowl, most points, decorative section, Margaret Crout; HMS Plate, decorative runner-up, Pam Neave; Reg Collom Memorial Cup, most points, domestic section, Fiona Maddock; Domestic Challenge Cup, domestic section r/u, Ann Street; Plumb Cup, most points, photographic section, Ann Parsons; Challenge Cup, most points, children under 10 crafts, Eloise Alden; Joe Pengelly Cup, r/u, u10 crafts, joint - Ben Hampson/Rhys Etherington; Domestic Children's Cup, most points, u10 cookery, Niamh Mugridge — guest; Colonel Colville Cup, r/u, u10 cookery, Rhys Etherington; Shirley Wakefield-Smith Memorial Cup, most points, over 10 cookery, Harriott Smith; Dick Jackson Young Growers Trophy, best exhibit, garden in seed tray, Eloise Alden; Barbara Grinstead Memorial Plate, best exhibit, trumpet daffodil, I Paull; Fyffes Munro Cup, best exhibit, large cup daffodil, Margaret Crout; Somers Gibson Cup, best exhibit, small cup daffodil, I Paull; Coronation Cup, best exhibit, double daffodil, Colin Street; Fred Grinsted Trophy, best exhibit of 'Bere Ferrers', C Street; Page Challenge Cup, best exhibit, other daffodils, C Street; Bere Ferrers Challenge Cup, best exhibit, daffodil collection, Frances Howard; Elsie Hall Plate, best exhibit, other flowers, Frances Howard; Marjorie Statton Rose Bowl, best pot plant in show, R Neal; Agnes Jury Cup, best exhibit, decorative section, Margaret Crout; RHS Banksian Medal, most points, horticultural, Colin Street.

Book prizes: under 10 crafts classes, Eloise Alden; u10 cookery classes, Niamh Mugridge — guest; over 10 craft classes, Victoria Richards; over 10 cookery classes, Harriott Smith.