Excellence was the hallmark of the 2005 Caley Spring Show

Despite the poor weather experienced over Easter Week-end, it is great to report that over 1400 people still came along to our 2005 Show, which, was only 400 less than last year.

Tom Hardwick, the Show Convenor, was particularly pleased with the increase in the number of Exhibitors and Entries (i.e. 63 Exhibitors and 468 separate Entries) stating that, “with the number of exhibitors and entries on the show bench up, this made it an excellent display. He noted in particular that the Inter-Societies class had 5 entries, the cineraria class had 7 and the amaryllis class also had more than usual pointing out that “the cut flowers in the Novice Class were more than we have ever had, the daffodil entries were also up in both cut flowers and pots and the white knitted scarf entry in the handcraft section was wonderful”.

There was certainly a high standard generally of Exhibits, including the display put on by the Haddington Gardening Club, and of-course, most notably, the Display of blooms of all the Divisions within the Daffodil Classification provided by Jim Davidson, our ‘Daffodil guru from Banff’. Fred Last, our immediate Past President and his wife Pauline said, “it was the quality of the Exhibits that really caught the eye and such excellence must surely be the hallmark of Caley Shows”! Thanks go to all who make the effort to exhibit. It’s hoped that more will get involved next year!

The response to the baby jackets for Romania – 233 in all – was, in the words of Tom Hardwick, “just amazing”. Well done and thank you to all the knitters and to all who continue to donate prizes to the tombola and bake for the Cake and Candy. Thanks must also go to the 60 Caley Members who came along to help set up the Show, staff it over the Saturday and Sunday and last but not least stay on to Sunday evening to clear up at the end.

Well done everybody who took part in any way. Such massive support is surely a reflection of a successful and vibrant Society. See the here for pictures of the exhibits and awards.

The main Trophy winners are listed below:

Robert Fife Memorial Trophy

Irene Birse of West Linton for Best Entry in Cut Flowers Section for Vase of Tulips

The Secretary’s Trophy

Dr John McKay of Edinburgh for Best Entry in Cut Daffodils Section for Vase of 3 Golden Rapture Daffodils

The Fred Kroes Memorial Challenge Cup

Tom Hardwick of Dalkeith for Best Entry of Hyacinth in Pots Section

The James C Stewart Memorial Trophy

Dr John McKay of Edinburgh for Best Entry in Daffodil Bulbs in Pots Section

Lady Provosts Trophy

Watt Russell of Tranent for Best Entry in Alpines Section (i.e. Primula allioni)

The Coronation Challenge Trophy

Alan Weepers of for Best Entry in Cacti Section for a Display of Cacti & Succulents

The Linton Quaich

Watt Russell of Tranent for Best Entry in Pot Plant Section for a Saxifrage ‘Your Kiss’

The Hazelwood Trophy

Haddington Gardening Club for Best Display of Plants in the Inter Society Competition

The George Peel Cup

David Rankin of Lasswade for Best Entry in Novice Section for a Container of Tulips

The Wemyss Trophy

Alison Cran of Edinburgh for Best Entry in Handcraft Section

Best Daffodil Bloom in Show

Dr John McKay of Edinburgh received a R.A. Scamp Voucher for £10 for Best Daffodil Bloom in Show with a Bloom of ‘Golden Rapture’.

Congratulations to them all!