THE 65th Spring Flower Show was held in Bere Ferrers with wonderful scented blooms welcoming visitors on a bitterly cold day.

The massed blooms lifted spirits after weeks of difficult weather conditions — a credit to the growers.

The judges declared the quality of the flowers excellent, although entries were down on previous years.

A new trophy was presented by the family of the late Alan and Lucy Langsford; Alan supported the show for many years and had been a respected narcissi judge, grower and breeder.

The theme of Easter was reflected in some of the classes: decorative, domestic, children's and photography. The narcissi classes were particularly well supported.

There was increased interest in the bread class with exquisite decorated cup-cake entries, and a battle royal between ladies and men in the date and walnut loaf classes, the ladies winning by a short head!

The decorative section showed originality and was much admired.

Younger children under ten had worked hard in their classes, but unfortunately there was a lack of entries in the 10 to 15 year group.

There were some accomplished entries in the photographic section; 'Autumn Colours' attracted glowing comments, despite fewer entries than usual.

Of special interest was a narcissi display of historical varieties.

Thanks were expressed to the judges and to the entrants, the backstage staff, those who organise advertising, the raffle, home-made refreshments, and sales of bunched daffodils, and of plants.

The chairman Margaret Willmott, introduced Trevor Atkinson, joint proprietor of West View Care Home, who presented the trophies.

Judges were P Argles and J Lanyon (section I), G Bennett (sections 2 and 3), Mrs Iris Snell (decorative and children's), Mrs Marion Lethbridge (domestic) and G Leech (section 6 photography).

Trophy winners: Royal Horticultural Society's Banksian Medal for most points in horticultural sections 1, 2 and 3, F Howard; Page Challenge Cup, most points in show, C Street; Bradford Challenge Cup, most points in show runner up, F Howard; Fenton Challenge Cup, most points in division one, I Paull; Gazette Challenge Cup, most points in division two, F Howard; Bennett Memorial Cup, most points in division four, C Street; Bere Ferrers Social Club Bowl, most points 122-129, C Street; Crocker Williams Cup, most points 201-211, F Poynton Duke; Frampton Cup, most points in vegetable and fruit section, D Roxburgh/M Willmott; Doris Friend Memorial Bowl, most points in decorative section, M Crout; HMS Plate, runner up in decorative section, M Willmott; Reg Collom Memorial Cup, most points in domestic section, B Endean; Domestic Challenge Cup, runner up in domestic section, A Street; Plumb Cup, most points in photographic section, Ann Parsons.

Challenge Cup, most points C2-C4 children crafts 10 years, E Alden; Joe Pengelly Cup, runner up C2-C4 children crafts under 10 years, R Etherington; Domestic Children's Cup, most points C5-C8 children's cookery under 10, E Alden; Colonel Colville Cup, runner up C5-C8 children's cookery under 10, R Etherington; Shirley Wakefield-Smith Memorial Cup, most points C9-C12, K Mugridge (guest); Dick Jackson Young Growers Trophy, best exhibit C1, E Alden; Barbara Grinstead Memorial Plate, best exhibit division one, F Howard; Fyffes Munro Cup, best exhibit division two, M Alden; Somers Gibson Cup, best exhibit division three, I Paull; Coronation Cup, best exhibit division four (double daffodil), C Street; Fred Grinsted Trophy, best exhibit of 'Bere Ferrers', C Street; Alan and Lucy Langsford Trophy, best exhibit in 122-129 'other daffodils', C Street; Bere Ferrers Challenge Cup, best exhibit in 131, daffodil collection, F Howard; Elsie Hall Plate, best exhibit in 201-211 other flowers, M Crout; Marjorie Statton Cup, best pot plant in show 212-214, D Roxburgh; Agnes Jury Cup, best exhibit in decorative section, M Crout; Book prizes, over 10 cookery, Kate Mugridge (guest); Under 10 craft and cookery classes, E Alden.

Children's classes prizes awarded for most points in each of sections 7, 8, 9 and 10, sponsored by West View Care Home.