SRGC/AGS Show at Ponteland 20th September 2007

[Maggi Young]

On Saturday, September 29th, all manner of happy growers and show-ers will be gathering at the Darras Memorial Hall in Ponteland, by Newcastle, to participate in the Alpine plant show. I have it on very good authority that some Southern members are already in the area, disporting themselves in the fresh Northern air before the big event. Sadly, there are two very disappointed noerth Eastern Scottish members who cannot attend... so we will be relying on you folks out there.... yes, that would be YOU....to keep us up to date with all the happenings of the day and provide pix of the super plants which I know will grace the benches.
I hope the day is a roaring success and wish all you exhibitors luck and good judgement!

[SueG]

I'm just about to bunk off work and go home to make a cake for the refreshment stall at the show and have this urge to make a coffee and walnut cake - so if you're dropping into the show you know which one to ask for   
Then get my plants for the show sorted.
And today I've just helped marshall nearly 3000 of our new students into and out of university induction meetings - gives a whole new meaning the word 'exhausted' so bunking off is allowed!
Do say hello if you're coming to glorious Northumberland

[Martinr]

Coffee & Walnut! That will make the 3 hour drive worthwhile. Mind you a little red sticker would help as well, or is that greed?

[Maggi Young]

If you only knew how much we'd like to be there anyway, Sue, you would not be rubbing it in with coffee and walnut cake.


Drive safely, Martin... and best of luck with the red stickers, eh?

[shelagh]

Martin I hope you are going to have some competition for the cake and the red stickers.  Don't forget your lunch money the East Lancs contingent are busy cleaning pots as I type.

[Maggi Young]

Hurrrah! News arrived from Ponteland that the Forrest Medal was won by the Wyllie Wifie.. our own Jean Wyllie, with a super Cyclamen hederifolium. Well done, Jean!!

Most points in section I was captured by David Boyd, which proves that you can have great plants even with six cats, one garden and umpteen allotments to care for, as well as the day job! Good for you, David!

to Jean and David and all who contributed to the show. Hope you have all enjoyed your day and now are safely home.

[Anthony Darby]

Aha. Sandy Leven said it would do well. I saw this plant on Wednesday at the Stirling Group committee meeting. I also saw how well Jean is doing with shortias. Hundreds of seedlings and yearlings doing well on a diet of pure Swedish peat balls.

[shelagh]

Maggi you forgot to mention the flypast by the Red Arrows to celebrate Jean's success. It is a magnificent plant, I suggested she keep it in the fridge until the Discussion weekend Show next week, but she said it was too full of food! We'll have to hope for a cold week.

[mark smyth]

will Jean show us a photo of her plant/s - pretty please?

[Maggi Young]

Hi, Folks, just discovered about the Red Arrow flypast just now... good of them to recognise Jean's efforts! President Ian has sent some pix so I'll just organise myself and get them posted....watch this pace!

[Maggi Young]

Here we go, Cyclamen hederifolium, a worthy medal winner and the Wyllie wifie herself, looking suitably modest about the whole affair!

[ranunculus]

Couldn't make Ponteland Show yesterday unfortunately, but heartiest congratulations to Jean and all the other exhibitors and prize winners.  Would only have managed one exhibit if I had made the journey....this gentian was just about opening.

[Maggi Young]

A shame you missed it, Cliff... how did Shelagh and the Gang mange to have lunch without you? Come on, Shelagh, you didn't just have a sandwich did you? And what red tickets did you capture?

[Martinr]

Plant pictures will follow but I thought it was important to follow up on lunch. Lunch was OK but the highlight was the 'pudding'. 3 pieces of Sue's coffee and walnut cake Shelagh had purchased before lunch so we'd be sure to get some. Thanks Sue, delicious. Mind you we needed something to help us recover from the heavy debate during judging on Modern Art, education, ecomomics, poltics and Estonian magazines (no punches were thrown)

[Maggi Young]

Quite right, Martin, cake must always come first! By george, it does look good: have I mentioned it's my favourite? She said, drooling..

Off now to try to learn something, anything, about Estonian magazines so I can converse with Shelagh and Brian at the Discussion Weekend without showing my ignorance on this subject!