Nailsea gardeners successfully hot house plants for spring show

­IT was the worse winter for years and Nailsea gardeners wondered how on earth they would get their blooms ready in time for the annual spring show.

Well, some ingenious growers decided to ‘hot-house’ their plants to guarantee they would be ready for the Easter Saturday show at Nailsea School.

This ensured Nailsea & District Horticultural Society annual ‘daffodil’ show was a sunny success.

More than 300 visited the show to see 500 entries displayed by 127 exhibitors.

The Easter message was trumpeted by a host of daffodils, themed floral art, chocolate eggs, decorated cards and homemade cakes.

But exhibitors told of the turbulent behind-the-scenes trials of making sure everything was all right on the day.

They talked of having to turn their conservatories into temporary greenhouses and putting pots on top of radiators to ensure they flowered.

Surprised society treasurer Peter Sallnow, aged 65, took the prize for the best bloom in show.

He said: “I am amazed to win.

“I had to take over the conservatory and give the daffodils pride of place leaving the family with no where to sit.

“But the protection and natural warmth was enough to help them flower.”

Fellow exhibitor Bill Knight admitted he used both his conservatory and radiator shelves throughout the house.

His wife, joint show secretary Jane Knight, said: “Considering the season we have some wonderful blooms here.

“People had come from all over the district to complete and the show attracted quite a few new exhibitors,.

“We are only about 30 exhibits down on last year.”

It was the first time Peter, a retired banker, has won ‘best in bloom’ with a new specialist variety called Red Spartan.

He added: “I love growing all sorts of flowers from chrysanthemums, daffodils dahlias to gladioli.

Nailsea town councillor Jan Barber was representing her husband Alan, a vice-president of Nailsea & District Horticultural Society.

Jan said: ““I do like the crafts and I do like daffodils.

“I was pleasantly surprised at the venue in the new school, it works, the lighting is good and it doesn’t echo like I thought it would.”

Alan who was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s birthday honours has recently heard he is to get The Kew Guild Medal for outstanding service to amenity horticulture – only the third ever awarded at a special ceremony on Saturday, May 22.

Chairman Martyn Davis praised the new school building saying it was perfect.

He said: “Everything has gone so smoothly.

“We are delighted with what we have got but it has been such a bad year for growing.”

Nailsea School chair of governors Sally-Ann Hancock said: “It is amazing to see how everyone has done so well given the lateness of the season.

“As a child I used to enter my local horticultural society show but sadly as a full-time working mum I don’t now have the time.”

Press secretary, Cyndy Sallnow said: “Visitors were almost double last year and entries were very similar, which is a testament to the dedication of our exhibitors considering we had the coldest winter for a great number of years

“We were delighted with the number and quality we received which were up a very high standard considering the conditions which had to be dealt with.”

Pensioners Mary and Sylvester Pearce, of Southfield Road, said they admired the daffodils.

Sylvester said in his younger years he won the homemade wine trophy three years running and a particular favourite was a brew made from onions.

He said: “I used to share a bottle or two with my doctor – for medicinal purposes only, of course.”

President Liz Frappell, the former owner of the High Street florist shop, said: “It’s a lovely show.

“One of my favourites is the children’s exhibits.

“I think I will enter some cards I make in the craftwork section at the summer show.”

The summer show is a two day event on Saturday and Sunday, August 7-8, staged in a marquee at Golden Valley playing field.

Trophy winners

Barbara Randall Trophy most points in members’ classes, William Knight. Daffodil Society Centenary Triophy best exhibit in class 1, Derrick Phillips. Thelma Howes Memorial Trophy, most points in daffodil classes, William Knight. Jim Tigwell Trophy best exhibit in class 2, Ivor Clarke. The Society Trophy best exhibit in class 3, Frank Calcraft, The RN Coate Cup winner of class 4, Ivor Clarke. Whitbread Trophy most points in horticultural classes other than daffodils, Valerie Davis. Dorothy Lucas Trophy most points in domestic classes, Sarah Tavener. Photography Trophy most points in photography classes, David Trump. Federated Trophy most points in floral art, Peggy Weeks. Zena Hart Trophy most points in handicrafts Beverly Parker. Don Everitt Trophy best exhibit in family class, Sue Irwin.

Daffodil Society

Bronze medal for best exhibit in daffodil classes, Ivor Clarke. Reserve best exhibit in daffodil classes, Derek Phillips. Best bloom in daffodil classes, Peter Sallnow. Diploma for best vase of three blooms in daffodil classes, Ivor Clarke. Diploma best daffodil exhibit in members’ and novices’ classes, Peter Sallnow.

Children’s classes

Little Egypt WI Trophy best exhibit in children’s classes, Ben Hanley. Under 6 trophy, Emma Hill. 6 -9 years, Emily Norman. 9-12 years, Ann Dumbell.

Nailsea & District Horticultural Society Diplomas

Best bloom in division 1, Derek Phillips. Best bloom in division 2, Peter Salllnow. Best bloom in division 3, Derek Philllips. Best bloom in division 4, Ivor Clarke. Best bloom in divisions 5-12, William Knight. Best miniature bloom, William Knight. Best bloom in members’ classes, Valerie Davis.