Shows around the country- 22nd March 2014

[Maggi Young]

Wow, Spring came to Kent while there was cold and even snow in some places in the UK today - I saw snow  in Yorkshire on the TV news 

Glad you were well enough to make the hop, Yann, and thanks for sharing these  photos. 

[Yann]

No snow but back to home we got hail showers and this morning i had to protect young plants.

[Luc Gilgemyn]

It was great seeing you again Yann, and a lot of other forumists !! 

I thought the Best plant in show deserved a special mention : a staggering Townsendia excapa

[Maggi Young]

Wonderful Townsendia plant - who grew it?  And did it only receive a "best in show" award and not a Farrer Medal? 

[Yann]

On other photo i get a comment of R. Wallis but don't know who's the grower.
Compared to my seedlings we don't play in the same yard 

[Luc Gilgemyn]

I' m afraid I failed to make a note of the name of the winner Maggi...    I'm sure somebody will be able to fill in    

I guess the Farrer medal was'nt awarded because it was entered in the wrong category.
There was a judges note stating the pot was too big for the category and therefore it didn't get a first in the categeroy, yet it was judged to be the best plant in show.  Maybe somebody more knowledgable than me on regulations and rules can make a comment on this.  Still a tremendously well grown plant though !

[Dionysia]

The Townsendia was Eric Jarrett's. There was considerable debate amongst the judges as to whether it should even be considered for an award as it was actually NASd because it was realised after it's class had been judged that it was in a nominal 19cm pot which was actually 20cm outside diameter, ie oversize for the class in which it was entered. We realised this before judging was complete so although it was initially placed first in it's class, the results were reviewed and the plant previously placed second was uprated to first. It was decided that notwithstanding this it should still be considered for best in show, which it received, and Farrer Medal, which it did not. When being presented with his award card Eric was also presented with a ruler! Needless to say he was mortified at his mistake but took it in good part but had to put up with quite a bit of ribbing. Rumour has it that he was going home to put the pot on a lathe prior to the Exeter show next week.
Paul

[Luc Gilgemyn]

The Townsendia was Eric Jarrett's. There was considerable debate amongst the judges as to whether it should even be considered for an award as it was actually NASd because it was realised after it's class had been judged that it was in a nominal 19cm pot which was actually 20cm outside diameter, ie oversize for the class in which it was entered. We realised this before judging was complete so although it was initially placed first in it's class, the results were reviewed and the plant previously placed second was uprated to first. It was decided that notwithstanding this it should still be considered for best in show, which it received, and Farrer Medal, which it did not. When being presented with his award card Eric was also presented with a ruler! Needless to say he was mortified at his mistake but took it in good part but had to put up with quite a bit of ribbing. Rumour has it that he was going home to put the pot on a lathe prior to the Exeter show next week.
Paul

Thanks for clarifying this Paul !!

[veteran vet]

When I see my Townsendia today has but three flowers this was a fantastic plant for the species, thank you for posting the pictures, rules are rules but I have to note they are not always strictly applied when they should be or what is the point of having the rule, my personal opinion is that rules should be strictly applied as if this is not done all the time, folk being folk, always try to push the limits.

[Maggi Young]

.....rules should be strictly applied as if this is not done all the time, folk being folk, always try to push the limits.

Quite so - such as committee meetings which are not quorate but which go ahead anyway.

[ranunculus]

This is why the Pudsey Pig Competition has only one rule ... that there are no rules.   

[arilnut]

My friends, and I consider "all" plants people friends,  this thing on the
townsendia pot has riled my American feathers.  This is splitting hairs,
which is about all a mm is. Such exactness is only appropriate in
industry and science.

OK, off my soapbox.  I have several things blooming but for some reason
am not able to to attach pictures.

John B

[Lori S.]

I have no opinion on the show ruling but the pot was out by a centimeter, not a millimeter.  Mysteries of the metric system... 

[astragalus]

The Townsendia is fabulous and so are the rest of the plants shown.  The first show I ever saw was when visiting Graham and Iris Nicholls.  They took us to his local meeting and show.  I thought it wonderful, although Graham said it was just a "small local show".  The judge was so lovely, went around with me after the judging and answered all my questions.  The next show I saw was in Nottingham!!!  It was unreal. 
You are so lucky that so many of you live where you are able to see these plants in person, it's not really possible on this side of the pond.

[arilnut]

Thanks for the correction Lori. But still in my mind less than
a half inch is ridicules.

John B