Home from Nairn after a lovely day at a super show. Almost had to swim our way up there through persistent rain but when we got to Nairn it was merely damp and the day improved greatly.
Last time I attended and judged there it was still simply a local show and not a full SRGC affair. The venue is every bit as nice as I remember and the show hall was looking really good.
Section 2 was well supported with some super plants - including some from one first time exhibitor- the Forum's Ivan McConachie.
Neither the BD nor myself managed to remember to take a camera - seems getting three westies and ourselves ready for an early start is too much for us! We're out of practice at the show departure routine lately.
Ian and I judged in different sections - too much danger of a punch-up otherwise, so instead he sailed round with Julia Corden and Elspeth Mackintosh and I was able to argue instead with Ian Christie and Harley Milne!
Best plant in Section 2 was a fresh Lewisia cotyledon hybrid shown by Olive Bryers
Ivan McConachie's Saxifraga 'Pixie' was the best plant from a first- time exhibitor.
Sam Sutherland won the trophy for best primula with a large pan of Primula rusbyi
The best bulb trophy went to Narcissus x cazorlanus from Carole and Ian Bainbridge.
The best plant from a member resident in the Highland or Moray Groups areas was judged to be a fine pan of Pleione from Francis and Margaret Higgins from
Cromdale. Berriedale.
A Certificate of Merit was awarded to a pan of Loiseleuria procumbens, full of tiny flowers, grown by Ian the Christie kind.
The trophy for best ericaceous plant went to Andromeda polifolia this was grown by Snapper Stan - who will have photos for us in the next day or so.
So, which plant won the Forrest Medal?
Well it was the delightful Andromeda from Stan da Prato - Stan's first Forrest Medal, but not, I hope, his last!
As you will see from Stan's photos when they appear , there were many good plants on display- some not quite at their peak and one or two just a day beyond perfection on close inspection - but the overall effect of the hall was bright and colourful. The cut flower section with classes for narcissus and tulips was placed by a window and was a treat in the morning, and by the time we made our early retreat mid afternoon, the tulips were nearly all open as if enjoying a warm day in the sun! There was a club plant stall which did a roaring trade, as, it seemed to me, did Ardfearn and Rumbling Bridge, who both had a grand selection for sale.
Local members were busy helping Carol and David to see the day ran smoothly and what a good job they all did.
Thanks for a lovely day, Highland Folkies!
It was lovely to catch up with so many friends from the area that I have not seen for too many years and, not having been to any shows this year since the Dunblane Early Bulb Day, lots of other pals, too.
