Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
SRGC Shows and Events => Events => Topic started by: Mick McLoughlin on May 08, 2010, 09:54:03 AM
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Wakefield and North of England Tulip Society
175th Annual Show Sat. 8th May 2010
Primrose Hall, Horbury near Wakefield.
Entries 10am to 12 noon. Open to the public 2.30pm to 4.30pm.
Presentation of trophies 4pm.
I hope to make it this afternoon, anybody else going?. Will try to post some pics later
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We managed to get to Horbury for the Wakefield and North of England Tulip Society annual show.
Spent an interesting hour viewing the specialist tulips so well grown and displayed in their beer bottles (there is probably a reason but I don't know what it is).
It was their 175th year and they had cake to celebrate with tulips made of icing.
The benches were laid out with the different classes of tulips.
Unlike alpine shows the officials weren't averse to pointing out the finer points of a bloom to interested people.
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Looks like a great show and the cake and its decorations are as good as the real thing!
Re "the officials weren't averse to pointing out the finer points of a bloom to interested people" .... to be fair, it's a lot easier to do that when the flower is already cut ( therefore as good as dead) in and sitting in a beer bottle. Manhandling flowers on a pot grown plant might do lots of damage to a hoped for seed crop or even an entry in next week's show........ :-X
Though a good discussion of a plant can be undertaken with no interference to the plant at all... and there's a fair amount of that goes on to enthusiastic onlookers ..... we have chatty mermbers who specialise in that!
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There was a photographic display from the Hortus Bulborum in the Netherlands, who also made a presentation to the society. There was an artistic display also but I didn't get any pictures from there.
There was also the presentation of trophies while we were there of which there seemed to be quite a large number of.
Some of the class entries now, I don't know what the distinguishes the various types.
12 blooms same flower
12 blooms different varieties
12 rectified varieties
1 breeder 1 flamed 1 feathered
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Mike,
thank you for sharing these pictures with us.
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This won best overall bloom.
Constable Burton
The rest are ones that caught my eye for one reason or another in no particular order, apart from alphabetical.
Burning Heart
Curly Sue
Davenport
Dr Hardy
Eyecatcher and single flower
Flaming Parrot
Hemisphere
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Maggi I quite agree - and with the size of some of the plants you wouldn't want to be lifting them even if you could.
Onion - glad you like them.
James Wild
Lambada
Queen of the Night
Shirley (which was Mandy's favourite)
Toyota
Wakefield
Tulipa batalini 'Bright Gem'
and eventually one I recognised
Tulipa clusianna 'Cynthia'
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My word, what fabulous blooms....it is easy to see why artisits have always loved to paint these fancy tulips... they are so beautiful.... even if the fear of virus (which I know some say is not transmitted)makes me nervous about having them near our bulbs, I really enjoy seeing them and their exotic colours and markings.
'Constable Burton' is magnificent .... coincidentally Ian's Mum's family are called Burton, from Leeds! Uncle Arthur was a police Inspector ! :D
Found this link to the house (not open) and gardens at Constable Burton;
http://www.constableburtongardens.co.uk
'Shirley ' is pure rasberry ripple, good enough to eat.
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Marvellous.
But what IS that black and white in the First Prize 12 rectified group?
I am surprised that 'Toyota' wasn't a runaway favourite.
Must look for Eyecathcer.
johnw
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John
Just checked my original picture but can't make out the name.
If anybody is close by and is interested the blooms are still on show tomorrow
Cheers
mick
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Thanks for posting these Mick, one show I have always fancied visiting. I believe the reason for showing in bottles is simply that there were a lot of them available, at the time the Society started I shouldn't think many 'ordinary' people would have had suitable receptacles to use at a show and, at least this way, everyone was showing without advantage?
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Mick, Brian
Why beer bottles? According to the Wakefield and North of England Tulip Society booklet (which is great little read) the early shows were held in public houses which provided easy access to an ideal container. Up until the end of the second world war earthenware bottles from late 18th early/19th century were used. After one show the bottles were mistaken for rubbish and taken by binmen and therefore the society were forced to use another container and at that time brown beer bottles were in ready supply. A few earthernware bottles used for showing were salvaged and now reside within Wakefield Museum.
http://www.karisgarden.com/chapters/tulipaner.htm
Thanks Mick for the photographs and taking the time and trouble to share them with others it is much appreciated. I've always been meaning to visit the show - but work and life intervene - to enjoy the beauty of mosaic virus as reflected in feathered and flamed tulips and your report is grand compensation.
(Feathers have markings constrained to the edge of the petal; flames have markings on both the edge of the petal and a beam or stripe up the centre of the petal.)
http://www.tulipsociety.co.uk/ (http://www.tulipsociety.co.uk/)
http://www.karisgarden.com/chapters/tulipaner.htm (http://www.karisgarden.com/chapters/tulipaner.htm)
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Cheers Frazer, at least I was on the right track ;)
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I dont see anything on the tulip society home page ???
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Thanks for showing Mick! I really did not expect that they grow and show "normal" tulips too.
Was today at Keukenhof, but they did not show them there this year (rather expensive trip of course).
Here is the link of pictures I showed last year :
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=3260.msg94593#msg94593 (http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=3260.msg94593#msg94593)
Strange that this year with the cold weather many plants are later than last year, but this show is a week earlier ???
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Thanks to Mick et al. for pictures and information - fascinating
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Thank you Colin. We are visiting North Wales next week, any gardens we should take a fresh look at?.
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I did look at this previously but another look is worthwhile. I really like 'Shirley' and 'Queen of the Night' of course. They'd go well together, perhaps along with Constable Burton. Boysenberry icecream, that one. :D
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Mick
Bodnant (National Trust), of course, linked with a vist to the neighbouring, outstanding Aberconwy nursery (Keith Lever)
Bodrhyddan Hall, Rhuddlan, near Rhyl (Tuesday/Thursday 2-5 only)
The Garden House, Erbistock, Wrexham
Plas Newydd, Anglesey (National Trust)
Will speak to you at Pudsey - I'll have plenty of tempting, alpine books .
Colin
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Hi Colin
Glad to see you on the forum.
Bodnant and Aberconwy were already on the list will speak to you about the others at Pudsey on saturday.
Cheers
Mick
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Marvellous.
But what IS that black and white in the First Prize 12 rectified group?
I am surprised that 'Toyota' wasn't a runaway favourite.
Must look for Eyecathcer.
johnw
I received a message from Teresa Clements, secretary to the Wakefield & North of England Tulip Society who advises that -
"One of the comments in the discussion was about the black and white tulip in the First prize for 12 rectified exhibit, it was almost certainly an Agbrigg feather."
You can always count on the forum on geting an answer!
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I thought readers might be interested in the following book review culled from the pages of an Edinburgh and Lothians Newsletter. The author is content for his/her article to be reproduced here.
The English Florists’ Tulip
Tucked away in the deep recesses of a second hand bookshop I chanced on a slim booklet entitled The English Florists’ Tulip which covers the history and cultivation of fancy tulips by the Wakefield and North of England Tulip Society. Whilst I have never really favoured cultivated forms of tulips, finding them garish and their flowering period short-lived, I was intrigued by this booklet. Indeed, I was so enthused after reading that I was sorely tempted to fire off a cheque to join the society, if only to ensure its continuing existence as a living memorial of our horticultural (and social) history.
Within just 44 well-illustrated pages I learnt about the florists’ flowers of the 17th century – carnation, tulip, anemone and ranunculus – which were then joined in the 18th century by pinks (dianthus), auricular, polyanthus and hyacinths. I also became quickly immersed in the three types of tulip fancy flowers namely breeders, feathers and flames.
Breeder tulips, also called mother tulips, are unaffected by tulip virus and of solid colour and are generally crossed with those with a virus to throw marked flowers with either feathers or flames. Ideally the feathered tulip has markings which are confined to the edge of the petals and these markings can be of a separate colour or colours to the rest of the petal. Sometimes the markings can run towards the centre of the petal and are then known as “beard” markings. In addition to the feathered edge flames or flamed flowers have a bold, broad centre stripe on each petal. Though the flowers, particularly a heavily marked flame, may look bizarre they do have a mesmerising beauty. At competitive shows the flowers are placed singly (on their stems) within brown beer bottles and are judged in terms of form, purity and markings.
It was said during the 18th century by an eminent scientist (who shall remain nameless) that –
“..these men cultivate a science peculiar to themselves, the mysteries of which are only known to the adepts. Nor can such knowledge be worth the attention of the botanist, wherefore, let no sound botanist ever enter into their societies”.
Well, that statement covers not only florists’ flowers: it is also applicable today to the showing of a wide range of plants at SRGC shows! Anyway let us leave the grumpy scientist to his own views and simply admire the dedication of folk that seek to strive what they consider perfection and in so doing give pleasure to themselves and others and harm no-one. If you ever see a copy of the book buy it you won’t regret it!
Bookworm
I was reading recently the Wakefield & North of England Tulip Society Newsletter No 21 and noted that serious consideration is being given to publishing an updated version. I'll keep you apprised of developments.
Frazer
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I thought readers might be interested in the following book review culled from the pages of an Edinburgh and Lothians Newsletter. The author is content for his/her article to be reproduced here.
The English Florists’ Tulip
It was said during the 18th century by an eminent scientist (who shall remain nameless) that –
“..these men cultivate a science peculiar to themselves, the mysteries of which are only known to the adepts. Nor can such knowledge be worth the attention of the botanist, (substitute "gardener") wherefore, let no sound botanist ever enter into their societies”.
Forgive me for mixing threads here but that paragraph quoted, could well apply to the notes posted in the Bulb Log No 26 thread, re the inclusion of Dodecatheon in the genus Primula and the activities of taxonomists. No doubt some (including taxonomists) will slam me for such comments but I am unrepentant.
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I found these pictures which relate to the article above apologies for not including them earlier.
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Can you help with information on English tulips see the attached link for more information -
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=6412.0 (http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=6412.0)
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The 2011 Wakefield & North of England Tulip Society Show will be held at Primrose Hall, Horbury, Yorkshire on Saturday 14 May see www.tulipsociety.co.uk (http://www.tulipsociety.co.uk) for details.
(For those in Yorkshire the annual Constable Burton Tulip Festival will be over the Bank holiday weekend of Saturday 30 April to Monday 2 May)
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The 176th Annual Show was held on 14 May 2011 at Primrose Hall, Horbury, Wakefield, Yorkshire.
The Albert Tear Memorial Trophy for the premier bloom in the show went to 'Constable Burton' which had previously been awarded Best Flame. The bloom was grown by James Akers MBE, patron of the Wakefield & North of England Tulip Society.
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Blimey! 'Constable Burton ' won last year too- wonder if it was the same grower?
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Blimey! 'Constable Burton ' won last year too- wonder if it was the same grower?
Maggie, last year Judy Baker won with Constable Burton, this year John Wainwright. Two good blooms.
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Some highlights of the 176th Wakefield & North of England Show.
The show has vase and beer bottle classes (DNT = details not taken)
Vase Classes
1 John Hardman Memorial Class – Vase of 18 Tulips (not English Florist) 1st. Ken Bacon (Maureen)
2 12 Tulips (not English Florist) 1st. Malcolm Hainsworth (T. sprengeri)
3 6 Tulips (not English Florist) DNT
4 3 Tulips (not English Florist) DNT
5 12 English Florist 1st. Malcolm Hainsworth
6 9 English Florist DNT
7 6 English Florist DNT
Open Classes (Bottle)
8 Norman Eyre Memorial Goblet (12 breeders)1stTeresa Clements
9 Needham Memorial Cup (12 dissimilar) 1st James Akers
10 Royles Jubilee cup (9 different breeders) 1st Bob Taylor
11 Local Silver Challenge cup (9 dissimilar) 1st Teresa Clements
12 Silver Challenge Cup (6 rectified) 1st Malcolm Hainsworth
13 GS Hunter Memorial Cup (6 breeders different) 1st Mike Higgins
14 Stages Cup (1 breeder, 1 flame, 1 feather of one colour) 1st James Akers
(‘Constable Burton’ adjudged Best Flame and Best Bloom in show)
15 Silver Plate (3 breeders) 1st Barbara Pickering
16 3 Flamed DNT
17 3 Feathered DNT
18 Pair of Flamed DNT
19 Pair of Feathered DNT
20 Single Breeder DNT
21 Single Flame DNT
22 Single Feather DNT
Seedling Classes
23 Seedling Cup (raised by seed) 1st John Wainwright
24 3 Seedling raised 1st John Wainwright
Novice Classes (Bottle)
25 1 Breeder, 1 Flame, 1 Feather DNT
26 1 Breeder DNT
27 1 Flame DNT
28 1 Feather DNT
29 Gina Roozen cup ( Breeders) 1st Jean Higginson
Extra Open Classes
30 1 Breeder DNT
31 1 Flame DNT
32 1 Feather DNT
33 1 Breeder, 1 Flame, 1 Feather DNT
FR Hunter Cup – most points in Classes 2-4 Ken Bacon
Peter Emmett Trophy for best exhibit Classes 2-4 Ken Bacon
Cochrane of Cults Vase for best bloom Classes 20-22 John Wainwright
Jim Akers Memorial Goblet – most points classes 8-22 James Akers
Brook Silver Challenge Cup and goblet – most points classes 25-29 Linda Chapman
Dudmaston Plate – best bloom in novice classes Jean Higginson
S Knowles Cup – best bloom classes 30-33 John Wainwright
Glass goblet for most points 30-33 Mike Higgins
Albert Tear Memorial Trophy – Best Bloom in Show – James Akers
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One of the growers Ulf Hanseen had sent his blooms by post from Sweden. On arrival the day before the show they were placed in water (in a fridge) to revive them and Ulf was rewarded with a 3rd prize in a novice class for his enterprise.
The club secretary Teresa Clements advised me that blooms could be kept in a fridge (set to its warmest setting) to preserve then for showing. She also advised that by placing the stems in a lightly sugared water (1 teaspoon to the litre) the stems continued to extend and some showers had seen a 10cm stem growth despite being placed in the fridge. The fridge however does cause distortion on blue flowers (an issue perhaps worthy of further scientific investigation).
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...some more show blooms...
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..and a few more...
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One of the growers Ulf Hanseen had sent his blooms by post from Sweden. On arrival the day before the show they were placed in water (in a fridge) to revive them and Ulf was rewarded with a 3rd prize in a novice class for his enterprise.
The club secretary Teresa Clements advised me that blooms could be kept in a fridge (set to its warmest setting) to preserve then for showing. She also advised that by placing the stems in a lightly sugared water (1 teaspoon to the litre) the stems continued to extend and some showers had seen a 10cm stem growth despite being placed in the fridge. The fridge however does cause distortion on blue flowers (an issue perhaps worthy of further scientific investigation).
This is quite extraordinary. Who would have thought it possible? For a start the vagaries of the postal system must be terrifying, let alone the success of the assorted treatments. :o
Enterprising work, indeed by Ulf Hanseen.... I hope someone took lots of pictures for him to see his success.
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..a few remaining...
As well as the show benches there were usual catering (great value) and plant stalls, book and card sales, displays of paintings and a very interesting review of a trip to Uzbekistan.
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Fabulous blooms. I especially like the way they are displayed - emptying a beer bottle (without wasting a drop!) and soaking off the label sounds much more fun than scrubbing pots for an SRGC show. ::)
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Marvellous.
But what IS that black and white in the First Prize 12 rectified group?
I am surprised that 'Toyota' wasn't a runaway favourite.
Must look for Eyecathcer.
johnw
John,
I suppose this viridiflora tulipa is rather 'Pimpernel' than 'Eyecatcher'.
I grow 'Eye Catcher' and it looks different, and it is the same in the collection of my collegues.
I show the photo of mine
in the left - 'Virichic', in the center - 'Eyecatcher', in the right - 'Omnyacc'
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The website for the Wakefield and North of England Tulip Society has been redesigned and updated, and now provides a good deal more of relevant information.Worth checking out!
http://www.tulipsociety.co.uk/
(http://www.tulipsociety.co.uk/)
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The Wakefield & North of England Tulip Society has recently been awarded £10,900 by the UK Heritage Lottery Fund to establish the Society's archive.
The funds will be used to:
1. Create an archive which will be deposited at a specialist institution in York (and will also mean that local members will learn about conservation techniques and archiving from specialists).
2. Create a sound archive by recording memories, stories and comments from members and visitors to shows and other events.
3. Develop and produce presentations and displays for use at talks and exhibitions.
4. Create an on-line archive.
5. Conclude the project with a Tulip Heritage Day in May 2013 on the day after the Society's Annual Show with special events and talks etc to which the public will be invited.
Perhaps the SRGC should consider making a similar submission to HLF so as to create an SRGC archive - what do you think?
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Sounds like an excellent idea..... I think you should contact President Liz with this idea, Frazer.
I have sent this note to Liz and some other Council Members.
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Thanks Maggi for alerting me to this post. I think it's a great idea and well worth exploring. I've often thought that we should be interviewing some of our older (and younger ones as well) growers and making a record of their superb plants and gardens - and an SRGC archive could include this along with lots of other things. I'd be really grateful, Frazer, if you would contact me so that we could discuss how best to start such a project.
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Liz
I've pinged you a message via the forum.
The Garden magazine also has short notice in its latest issue regarding the grant to the W&NETS.
Frazer
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Wakefield and North of England Tulip Society 177th Annual Tulip Show, Saturday 5th May 2012, Primrose Hall, Green Park Avenue, Horbury, WF4 6EG.
Show is open to the public 2.30pm - 4.30pm, admission free.
The Wakefield and North of England Tulip Society has always held its annual show in Wakefield, never missing a show in the last 177 years.
The 'flamed' and 'feathered' markings on the flowers are due to a virus, once highly prized and giving rise to Tulipomania. Many of the tulip varieties grown today by the society are well over a hundred years old and are grown and shown to the traditional florist's standards.
English Florists' Tulips had their peak of popularity in the mid 19th Century, with many florist societies growing the tulip and other florists' flowers like the ranunculus, carnation, anemone and the auricula.
The Wakefield and North of England Tulip Society is the only remaining society growing and showing these traditional florists' tulips.
The English Tulips are shown and judged individually, originally in small stoneware bottles or glass vases. Some of the old vases from the late 1700’s and early 1800’s are part of the collection at Wakefield Museum.
The stoneware and glass vases the society had eventually got broken and chipped through use, so they moved to brown beer bottles as these were a similar shape and size to the old vases and a good holder for showing the individual flowers. Many of the old show venues were in pub function rooms in Wakefield, so beer bottles were easy to obtain.
Many years ago, the society used to be called 'The Wakefield Tulip Society' and members had to live in Wakefield. Some of the old growers were miners with allotments in the villages around Wakefield, who grew some florists' tulips as well as growing food on their allotments, usually planting tulips after lifting their potatoes and traditionally planted on Lord Mayor's Day.
Membership changed over the years and declined particularly over the war years and the name was eventually changed to The Wakefield and North of England Tulip Society to reflect a new membership and interest from the North of England then wider UK.
When the Royal National Tulip Society closed in 1936 Wakefield became the last remaining tulip society, and one of the last remaining florist's societies.
The WNE Tulip Society is primarily 'a showing society' and many of the tulip varieties they still grow are very old and would have been lost without the continuity of the Wakefield growers. Since the 1970's there has been a steady rise in interest again for the English Florists' Tulips, with some membership and interest from as wide afield as Canada, US, Holland and Sweden, but the society has always remained rooted in Wakefield.
If you would like more information about the tulip show or the Wakefield and North of England Tulip Society please see their website -www.tulipsociety.co.uk.
(http://www.tulipsociety.co.uk.)
For UK residents check out the newly launched Landscape magazine currently in WH Smiths and other newsagents - it carries articles on both tulips in general and English tulips
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Some pictures from the 2012 Show.
The show was very well attended with growers/exhibitors from as far afield as Sweden attending.
I'll start with the four Dutch classes before moving onto the English classes.
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.
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and now English tulips in earnest....
...English tulips are shown in beer bottles...
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...more of the English blooms...
...the judges are always happy to explain their reasoning, even to members of the public...
...this really is a tulip great show...
...I do recommend a visit in 2013, details can be obtained from the society's website
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A 128 page fully-illustrated book "Flames and Feathers" celebrating English tulips was published earlier this month. It's a great read and worth purchasing for anyone with an interest the growing and showing of tulips. It includes chapters on cultivation, showing, growing (including hybridising and raising from seed), tulip virus and social history. The illustrations provide a comprehensive overview of the very many varieities - a couple of many illustrated pages are captured below.
To order the book make contact through the webpages of the www.tulipsociety.co.uk (http://www.tulipsociety.co.uk)
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Some pictures from the 2013 Show[attach=1]
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and a few more...
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and finally...
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Just a reminder that the 179th Annual Show will be held on Saturday 17 May 2014 at Primrose Hall, Horbury.
More information at http://www.tulipsociety.co.uk/index.php/component/gcalendar/event/cGk1NTZ2NTdsa2l2ZmRnYTIwMWNxcG9mbzggc2VjcmV0YXJ5QHR1bGlwc29jaWV0eS5jby51aw/1?start=1400281200&end=1400367600&Itemid=586 (http://www.tulipsociety.co.uk/index.php/component/gcalendar/event/cGk1NTZ2NTdsa2l2ZmRnYTIwMWNxcG9mbzggc2VjcmV0YXJ5QHR1bGlwc29jaWV0eS5jby51aw/1?start=1400281200&end=1400367600&Itemid=586)
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2014 pictures - alas I went with uncharged battery! Hence only few shots
Due to the odd spring all the growers south of, say, Doncaster had no flowers to show whereas those further north were reasonably especially from Scandinavia.
Teresa Clements (Harrogate) won many of the classes.
Interestingly, flowers brought from growers in Sweden and Denmark also did well - usually their blooms are too late for the show. They came on the plane neatly wrapped in shoe boxes to prevent being crushed.
It was still a great show even if entries were down .
http://www.tulipsociety.co.uk/ (http://www.tulipsociety.co.uk/)
(edit by maggi - I have rotated the photos for you, Frazer)
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Wakefield and North of England Tulip Society 183rd Annual Show
Primrose Hall, Green Park Avenue, Horbury, Wakefield. WF4 6EG.
12 May 2018
Staging 10am to 12noon. The classes will be called at 12 noon prompt and will be followed immediately by judging. Open to the public 2.30pm to 4.30pm
Presentation of trophies at 3.30pm.
http://www.tulipsociety.co.uk/ (http://www.tulipsociety.co.uk/)