As the original Pershore Bridge was closed, your reporter needed to follow a poorly signposted diversion.  Thanks to ‘good old satnav’ I managed to arrive at my destination only 15 minutes later than intended! The Hall was literally buzzing when I arrived and I am pleased to note that there was a very respectable number of exhibitors.  The judging commenced on time after a very welcome cup of coffee.

The first plant that caught my attention was in Class 21 and a very fine specimen of Fritillaria davidii.  Although we have seen this particular species at other shows some time ago, I considered it to be no longer in cultivation.  However, thanks to Ian Robertson, I was proved wrong.

In Class 55 was Diane Clement’s Helleborus dumetorum WM 9832 which, as a true species with small stature, I found far more appealing than the big commercial hybrids. I have seen this particular species before but it did not persist in cultivation.  Hopefully, we can propagate it to ensure it remains in cultivation.

We recently lost a good friend of mine, and excellent grower, Nigel Fuller.  He was remembered by the naming of a Dionysia, originally from seed from Michael Kammerlander (MK 99310/27) that was also given a Certificate of Merit.

An additional Certificate of Merit for a plant or exhibit of outstanding merit was given to Lesley Travis for a Painting of Erythronium ‘White Beauty’.

Lesley was also awarded the Tomlinson Tankard for the Intermediate Section Aggregate and an Artistic Award for the Artistic Intermediate Section Aggregate. She also picked up the Susan Clements Memorial Trophy for Best Plant in the Intermediate and Novice Sections with a plant of Hepatica japonica.

The Muriel Hodgman Award for the Artistic Open Section Aggregate went to  Caroline Jackson-Houlston, who also won the Florence Baker Award for Best  Painting or Drawing with her study of Meconopsis ‘Slieve Donard’.

The Henry Hammer Cup for the Novice Section Aggregate went to first-time exhibitor and show secretary Gail Devries.

The Audrey Bartholomew Memorial Award for the best bulbous plant was given to Alistair Forsyth with his plant of Narcissus asturiensis. I make that three years in a row for this plant!

Bob and Rannveig Wallis had a day to remember, winning the following:

• AGS Medal for Class 41, 6 pans Rock Plants (not more than 3 of any one genus)
• Class 75, the Ivor Barton Memorial Trophy for 6 pans Monocotyledon Distinct
• the Ashwood Trophy for Best plant in a pot not exceeding 19cm with Fritillaria gibbosa
• the Mooney Cup for Open Section Aggregate and last, but by no means least,
• the Farrer Medal for Best in Show with Corydalis nariniana.

It was also good to welcome the West and Midland Iris Group with their lovely and interesting display which was awarded a well-deserved Silver Medal.

Show Reporter: Eric Jarrett
Show Photographer: Jon Evans