AGS East Cheshire Show 2025

It is a long way from Farnham to the outskirts of Manchester.  But the verges were full of ox-eye daisies, with cow parsley waving behind them, and elderflower and dog roses in the hedgerows above. There were terrible delays on the M6 at Stoke on Friday afternoon, so we ended ...(more below)
June 8, 2025
AGS Editor
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It is a long way from Farnham to the outskirts of Manchester.  But the verges were full of ox-eye daisies, with cow parsley waving behind them, and elderflower and dog roses in the hedgerows above.

There were terrible delays on the M6 at Stoke on Friday afternoon, so we ended up coming the slow way through Stone and Leek to Macclesfield, which was probably no quicker (the journey took us 6 and a half hours), but more picturesque, with more flowers to spot.

However, all was not entirely well; I had had a bad back for over a week, which made the prospect of doing the show photography rather challenging.  All turned out well; I could use part of the stage in the hall as a studio, which is a much better height than a table, so I can stand up to look through the viewfinder, rather than constantly bending.  And I had several volunteers to carry plants for me, which was essential, since even a 15cm pot was an effort for me.  Two of these volunteers, Henry Fletcher and Steve Vale, between them carried every plant I photographed, so huge thanks to them for their assistance.

Taking views of the show went fine.  There were lots of plants so the benches looked full and the judges were busy.  And I could use my tripod as a support whilst walking round the hall.

Brightly coloured alpines in pots displayed at an Alpine Garden Society event showcasing early spring flower varieties for plant enthusiasts and gardeners.
Colorful potted alpine plants displayed at Alpine Garden Society event in a bright indoor setting with visitors in the background.
Vibrant alpine plants and flowers displayed at Alpine Garden Society exhibition in an indoor setting with visitors and enthusiasts.
Vivid display of alpine plants and succulents at the Alpine Garden Society plant show in a greenhouse setting.
Vibrant alpine flowers displayed at Alpine Garden Society plant exhibition with visitors admiring potted plants for alpine gardening enthusiasts.

Foliage Classes

The foliage classes were one of the features of the show, with eight entries in the three pan class, and eight in the one pan class.  The winner of the three pan class was Diane Clement, with:

  • Impatiens omeiana
  • Hosta ‘Cracker Crumbs’ and
  • Aruncus aethusifolius
A variety of potted plants and flowering plants showcased at an Alpine Garden Society event with attendees examining horticultural displays.
Lush green alpine plants in pots at the Alpine Garden Society exhibition, showcasing shade-tolerant and hardy plants for mountain gardens.

Athyrium otophorum var okanum

The one pan class for foliage effect went to Michael Wilson for this lovely plant.

Vivid green fern plant in terracotta pot showcasing lush foliage and intricate leaf details. Perfect for alpine gardens and shade-loving plant collections.
Lush green fern fronds ideal for alpine and rock garden planting, showcasing ornamental foliage for alpine garden enthusiasts.
Fern fronds with bright green foliage and dark red stems, ideal for alpine garden displays and shaded garden areas.

Silver Saxifrages

The other highlight of the show was a superb array of silver saxifrages, mostly exhibited by Michael Sullivan.  Michael won the class for three large pans of rock plants with these, and the class for three rock plants from the same family.

Beautiful display of flowering plants in terracotta pots at the Alpine Garden Society show, highlighting rare and exotic garden plants, suitable for rock gardens and alpine gardens.
Assorted alpine and garden plants in terracotta pots displayed indoors at an Alpine Garden Society event.
Vibrant white flowering alpine plants displayed in terracotta pots at an alpine garden show.
Dense clusters of Saxifrage Eaton Champion and Eaton Snowball flowering plants in terracotta and black pots at an alpine garden show.
White flowering plant in terracotta pots for alpine gardening and rock gardens.

Display of Miniature Gardens

At one end of the hall were two small promotional displays, neither of which was judged, but both exhibitors should be thanked for bringing an little something extra to the show.  Anne Vale staged a display about miniature gardens, including her garden with drunken gnomes, now notorious from the AGS Chelsea display.

Miniature gardens with accessories display at Alpine Garden Society event in UK Excellent for gardening enthusiasts and outdoor plant displays.
Bright flower bed with colourful fairy garden ornaments, fairy lights, and diverse plants, ideal for alpine gardening and garden decoration, showcasing alpine flora and whimsical garden features.

Promotional Display

The other display was the promotional exhibit from the East Lancs AGS group, which I photographed in more detail at the East Lancs Show.

Vibrant display of alpine plants and flowers at the Alpine Garden Society exhibition showcasing drought-tolerant and hardy garden species.
Vibrant Alpine garden flowers display at the Alpine Garden Society exhibition, showcasing diverse plant varieties and gardening expert insights for enthusiasts and botanists.

Erodium ‘Robertino’

John and Clare Dower’s entry in the small six-pan class failed to meet the judges’ approval, and only received a second place, but it included a very striking Erodium hybrid.

Vibrant alpine plants and succulents displayed at Alpine Garden Society nursery with a sign indicating open section and plant height up to 19cm.
Vivid white and purple blooming alpine geranium plant in a terracotta pot, ideal for rock gardens and alpine gardening enthusiast.
Bright white and purple alpine geranium flowers in full bloom with lush green foliage, ideal for alpine gardening and garden plant enthusiasts.

Six small pans of Rock plants – three in flower and three for foliage effect

There were two entries in this class, one from Tommy Anderson and the other winning entry from Steve Clements.

Vibrant collection of potted plants and flowering plants at the Alpine Garden Society exhibition, showcasing diverse varieties of garden plants and floral arrangements for outdoor gardening enthusiasts.
Vibrant potted alpine flowers including daisies, violets, and foliage plants at Alpine Garden Society exhibition for gardening enthusiasts.

Allium cyathophorum var farreri

Steve’s entry included a neat pan of this pretty little onion.

Vivid pink and purple alpine flowers in a black pot, showcasing rare mountain garden plants for alpine gardening enthusiasts.
Vibrant purple blooming flowers of alpine plants, perfect for garden enthusiasts, showcasing alpine garden society's diverse plant collection.

Novice Section

Even the Novice Section was busy, with twelve plants from three different exhibitors.

A variety of alpine plants and succulents displayed in terracotta pots on a table at an Alpine Garden Society event.

Matteuccia struthiopteris

The Hartside Trophy for the best exhibit in the Novice Section went to Vanessa Brook for this fern.

There was a lot of debate about the identity of this.  Matteuccia struthiopteris is commonly known as the ostrich fern or shuttlecock fern; it is a very distinctive and familiar architectural fern for cool damp places in large gardens.  The fern on display didn’t much resemble this, and several exhibitors queried its identity.  But looking on the internet, I found several photos of smaller specimens in pots which looked very like the specimen exhibited, so I think this name is at least plausible.

Lush green fern in a terracotta pot, ideal for alpine gardening and shaded garden areas. Perfect for creating a natural, vibrant alpine garden display.
Bright green fern frond displaying detailed leaf structure, perfect for alpine garden enthusiasts and fern collectors.

Crassula rupestris

Ilona Duffy exhibited this unusual Crassula in the Novice section.

Vivid exotic succulent plant with spirally patterned stems in a clay pot, ideal for alpine garden enthusiasts and succulent collectors.
Vivid succulent plant with colourful, striped leaves, perfect for alpine garden displays and rockeries, showcasing rare succulent varieties for garden enthusiasts.

Saxifraga ‘Southside Seedling’

Four firsts meant that Ilona Duffy won the Greenwood Shield for the Novice section aggregate. Many of her exhibits were in the beautiful hand-made and artistically decorated pots which she was selling outside the hall, including these two, Saxifraga cochlearis ‘Minor’ and Saxifraga ‘Southside Seedling’.

Vivid flowering succulent plant in decorative pot, perfect for alpine and rock gardens, via Alpine Garden Society in the UK.
Vibrant green succulent plant surrounded by dried leaf with prominent veins, displayed on a black base for alpine garden enthusiasts.

Phyteuma orbiculare (?)

This Phyteuma from Ilona was in a pot too large for the Novice section, and it had to go in the Intermediate section.  I think it is Phyteuma orbiculare, Round-headed Rampion, though its label was missing and there are a number of different species in the genus.

Vivid purple Dianthus flowers with spiky petals, lush green foliage, and a dark background, showcasing a beautiful alpine garden plant for flowering season.

Sempervivum calcareum ‘Mrs Giuseppi’

In the Intermediate section, Andrew Ward won the class for three pans of rock plants with a good group of Sempervivum cultivars, including this old favourite.

Vivid green succulent plant with red-tipped leaves in a terracotta pot, surrounded by small pebbles, ideal for alpine gardening and rock garden displays.

Globularia bellidifolia

Vivian Self exhibited a lovely specimen of Globularia bellidifolia.

Purple alpine flowers in a terracotta pot, ideal for rock gardens and alpine plant displays.

Dactylorhiza purpurella (?)

Vivian also exhibited this Marsh Orchid.  She didn’t provide a species name, but it looks close to Dactylorhiza purpurella, the Northern Marsh Orchid, although it is quite tall, and has a few spots on the leaves, which might suggest hybridisation.

Vibrant purple Hyacinth flowering plant in a terracotta pot with green leaves, perfect for Alpine garden displays and spring garden decoration.
Vivid purple orchid flower spike from the Alpine Garden Society, showcasing exotic bloom varieties for alpine and woodland gardens.

Chiastophyllum oppositifolium

It was interesting to see this familiar rock garden plant, looking surprisingly decorative, on the show bench, exhibited by David Harris.

Vancouveria plant in a terracotta pot, showcasing alpine garden plants with vibrant green foliage and delicate yellow flower clusters, popular in rock and alpine gardens.
Vivid yellow flowering plant with delicate clusters of small blossoms, ideal for alpine and rock gardens, showcasing the beauty of hardy garden species.

Rhododendron ‘Lemur’

This is a plant I photographed last year, exhibited again by David Harris.

Vibrant pink azalea flowers in a terracotta pot, showcasing the beauty of alpine garden plants for gardening enthusiasts and plant collectors.

Rhodohypoxis baurii var platypetala

David Harris dominated the Intermediate section with an array of fine plants, including this Rhodohypoxis, and his efforts won him the Tindall Shield for the section aggregate.

White flowering alpine plant in a terracotta pot, perfect for alpine garden displays and rockeries.

Dianthus haematocalyx subsp pindicola

The Charles Graham Trophy for the best plant in the Intermediate section also went to David Harris, for this Dianthus.

Vivid pink Alpine flowers in terracotta pot, perfect for rock gardens and patios.
Bright pink Dianthus flowers in full bloom, ideal for alpine gardens and rockeries, showcasing vibrant colours and compact growth suitable for garden enthusiasts.

Arisaema kiushianum

The little Arisaema I photographed at the East Anglia show, exhibited by Diane Clement, now had three flowers open, but it was difficult to get a photo with even two of them facing the camera – they were too busy chatting.

Arisaema kiushianum exhibited by Diane Clement
Exotic carnivorous pitcher plant with striped patterns in a garden pot, showcasing unique alpine and outdoor plant collections.

Arisaema propinquum

There were several other Arisaema in the hall.  Bob Worsley exhibited Arisaema propinquum, with its fascinating markings.

Unusual carnivorous plant in terracotta pot, featuring striped green and purple foliage, from the Alpine Garden Society collection.
Violet pitcher plant with striking green and purple striped leaves, a carnivorous plant native to alpine environments, perfect for alpine garden enthusiasts and collectors.

Arisaema wallichianum

Even more striking was the purple-red spathe (hood) of Norman Davies’ Arisaema wallichianum.

Vivid red and purple calla lily flower with variegated foliage, cultivated for exotic garden display and floral arrangements.
Vase plant with deep red and pink striped petals and green foliage in the background, showcasing exotic botanical species at the Alpine Garden Society.

Tritonia crocata

Equally striking, on the other side of the hall, were the bright orange blooms of Bob Worsley’s Tritonia crocata.  Close-up, the windows in the centre of the flower were intriguing.

Bright orange florets of a Clivia plant in a pot, vibrant and lush, perfect for garden displays and indoor plant collections.
Bright orange alpine flowers from the Alpine Garden Society showcasing vibrant, hardy plants ideal for mountain garden enthusiasts.

Weldenia candida

Turning away from bulbs, Anne Vale received a Certificate of Merit for a wonderful pan of Weldenia candida.  This is not too difficult to grow provided you can keep it bone-dry outside its growing season; I lost my own pan one winter when it got under a drip, and haven’t replaced it.

White blooms of the tropical flower display in a ceramic pot with gravel, highlighting alpine gardening and floral cultivation.
White alpine flowers with yellow stamens, ideal for alpine and rock gardens, from the Alpine Garden Society.

Bletilla striata alba

Anne also showed a large pot of the white form of Bletilla striata.  This was beautiful in close-up, but looked a bit untidy as a potful.

White orchid flowers with lush green foliage, ideal for alpine planting and garden cultivation.
White orchid flower with green foliage, showcasing Alpine Garden Society's collection of rare alpine plants for gardening enthusiasts.

Calanthe hybrid

Runner-up to Anne in the large-pan Orchidaceae class was Brenda Nickels, with an unnamed Calanthe hybrid.

Violet orchid plant with lush green leaves and delicate pink flowers, ideal for alpine and shade gardens, showcasing rare orchid species and garden plant varieties.
Pink orchid with multiple blooms on a green stem against a grey background, showcasing exotic flower varieties.

Ponerorchis graminifolia

This fabulous potful won Peter Farkasch the Cheshire Salver for the best plant in a 19cm pot.

Violet and white striped flowering plant in terracotta pot, Alpine Garden Society, suitable for rock gardens and alpine plant collections.
Vanda orchid in bloom with purple and white patterned petals, lush green foliage, perfect for alpine garden display and orchid enthusiasts.

Luzula ulophylla

I was curiously taken by this little rush from New Zealand, exhibited by Georgina Instone.

Dried lavender plant in terracotta pot, alpine garden society, hardy plants, garden decoration, drought-tolerant, outdoor gardening, drought-resistant flora, alpine plant collection, garden enthusiasts, botanical display.
Dry alpine plant in a terracotta pot, showcasing hardy garden flora suitable for mountain and rocky landscapes; ideal for Alpine Garden Society enthusiasts.

Berberis thunbergii ‘Orange Ice’

On a much more dramatic note, Bob Worsley exhibited a Berberis with bright orange foliage in the small pan foliage classes.

Variegated Berberis plant in terracotta pot with colourful foliage and rocky soil, suitable for alpine gardens and container planting.

Spiraea morrisonicola

I don’t know whether it is relatively new to cultivation in this country, but I first encountered this Spiraea from Taiwan at this same show last year.  This year Chris Lilley exhibited a specimen grown from seed sown in January 2020.

Colorful flowering plant with pink and white blooms, lush green foliage in a terracotta pot, perfect for garden, patio, or indoor decoration, ideal for sunny spots and container planting.
Vibrant pink and white flowering plants with lush green foliage, suitable for rock gardens and borders, representing alpine gardening beauty.

Erica tetralix ‘Alba Mollis’

Michael Wilson won the Ericaceae class with this pretty heather.

Dense white flowering alpine plant with green foliage, suitable for rock gardens and containers, highlighting hardy and seasonal blooms for alpine garden enthusiasts.
Alpine flowering plant with white blossoms, ideal for rock gardens and alpine collections, showcasing the beauty of rugged mountain flora.

Cut Flowers

The cut flower class was won by Brian and Sheila Smethurst, with this attractive selection:

  • Chrysanthemum weyrichii
  • Scabious columbaria
  • Iberis ‘Masterpiece’
  • Allium unifolium
  • Dianthus alpinus
  • Penstemon hirsutus
Vase displays of colourful alpine flowers including daisies, orchids, and early blooming plants in glass containers, highlighting alpine garden varieties.

Onosma nana

Brian and Shelagh also exhibited this pretty little Onosma.

Rhododendron flower in terracotta pot, alpine garden plant, flowering ornamental shrub, Alpine Garden Society, garden plant, seasonal flower display, hardy perennial, blooms in spring.
Bell-shaped white and yellow alpine flowers, part of the Alpine Garden Society's plant collection.
Delphinium flower from Alpine Garden Society, showcasing alpine plant cultivation and garden flowers.

Miniature garden

Anne Vale won the class for a miniature garden with accessories; this week two ladies were hanging out washing on a clothes line stretched across her exhibit.

In third place was an entry featuring a pub sign “The Owl Inn”, a post with an owl on it, and a pig, exhibited by Peter Hood.  After the show, this was the prize presented to Clare Dower for winning the Pudsey Pig lunchtime eating competition, originally held at the Owl Inn in Pudsey, during the Summer North Show.

Colourful miniature garden container with tiny plants, figurines, and miniature clothesline, showcasing alpine gardening creativity and plant care.
Colorful purple and white flowering plants in a garden pot, ideal for alpine gardening and garden displays, featuring the Pudsey Pig figurine, perfect for Alpine Garden Society enthusiasts.

Dianthus hybrid

Brenda Nickels exhibited a large Dianthus which looked a lot like D. ‘Eileen Lever’.

Colourful pink Dianthus flowers in a terracotta pot, ideal for alpine gardens and rockeries, showcasing vibrant Alpine Garden Society plants.
Bright pink Dianthus flowers in full bloom, vibrant and fragrant, perfect for alpine gardens and rockeries, showcasing the beauty of alpine plants.

Lamium margaretha

Peter Farkasch exhibited a Lamium species I have never photographed before.

Alpine garden society hardy flowering plant with pink and white blooms in a terracotta pot.
Pink and white flowering alpine plant with green foliage, ideal for rock gardens and alpine collections, perfect for gardening enthusiasts.
Pink and white striped wildflower among green foliage, Himalayan-style garden plant, ideal for alpine garden enthusiasts, rare mountain flower species for outdoor gardening.

Dicentra peregrina

This little Dicentra is so beautiful I photograph it whenever it appears on the showbench, but that is seldom, and it is never much bigger than this little plant exhibited by John Dixon.

Aceras anthropophora, the Man Orchid, in a terracotta pot with pebbles, showcasing distinctive pink and white flowers against a dark background—ideal for alpine garden enthusiasts.
Vivid pink and white flowering plant from the Alpine Garden Society collection, showcasing unique botanical species for alpine gardening enthusiasts.

Disporopsis pernyi

I photographed this Disporopsis from Diane Clement three weeks previously at the East Anglia Show, but the buds weren’t open there, so I was delighted to repeat the job and capture the flowers fully open.

Alpine Garden Society, Bellis perennis, wildflower plant in a pot, alpine gardening, native wildflowers, UK garden plant, garden hobby, botanical collection, garden enthusiasts, eco-friendly gardening.
Fritillaria meleagris flowering plant in a pot with green leaves and white bells, ideal for alpine gardens and rockeries.
Flowers of the Alpine Garden Society, showcasing rare and beautiful alpine plants. Perfect for gardening enthusiasts and plant collectors.

Linnaea borealis var americana

This is a plant I have never seen or photographed at a show.  Apparently the judges recognised this and awarded Peter Hood a Certificate of Merit.  Unfortunately, when I came to take close-ups of the pairs of flowers from which it takes its common name Twinflower, it became evident that the plant was host to a healthy population of greenfly.

Vivid green alpine plants with delicate white flowers in a decorative planter, ideal for alpine garden enthusiasts and rock garden displays.
Vinca minor with white bell-shaped flowers and glossy green foliage, perfect for alpine garden planting and shade-loving ground cover.
Delicate white alpine flowers blooming among lush green foliage, showcasing alpine garden plant varieties for outdoor and rock garden landscaping.
Delicate white bell-shaped flowers of alpine plants with green foliage in the background.

Paris luquanensis

This fabulous woodland species was exhibited by Henry Fletcher, who was helping me by carrying plants to be photographed.

Vivid green and silver veined Cyclamen plant in a terracotta pot with moss background.
Unique Highlander Primula with vibrant green leaves and delicate flower buds for alpine garden enthusiasts.

Ramonda serbica

Henry also exhibited this plant as Ramonda serbica, though I wouldn’t want to distinguish it from Ramonda myconi.

Violet primrose flowering plant in terracotta pot, alpine garden society, native to mountain regions, perfect for rock gardens, hardy perennial, vibrant spring bloom, low-maintenance garden plant.
Violet African violets with green foliage, close-up of purple flowers, decorative indoor plant, lush leaf texture, colourful zoo plant, home garden cultivation, flowering houseplant.
Violet Alpine Primula flowers with green foliage, suitable for alpine gardens and container planting. Vibrant perennial blooms for garden enthusiasts.

Ramonda nathaliae / myconi

Martin Rogerson exhibited another beautiful Ramonda as R. nathaliae, but I wonder whether it might be R. myconi, as R. nathaliae normally has four-petalled flowers.

Violet flowering Primula from the Alpine Garden Society, showcasing vibrant purple blooms and lush green foliage in a pot.
Violet African violets flowering plant with vibrant blooms, perfect for alpine gardening enthusiasts.
Purple flowering plant with vibrant blooms and dark green textured leaves, ideal for alpine gardens and indoor plant enthusiasts.

Saxifraga erioblasta

Mark Childerhouse received a Certificate of Merit for his plant of Saxifraga erioblasta.  This wasn’t fully out at the East Anglia show, but three weeks later it was still lovely, but perhaps a little past its best.

Tiny white and green flowering plant in a terracotta pot, ideal for alpine gardens and rockeries, showcasing vibrant garden plant varieties.
Delicate white alpine flowers with green stems, ideal for rock gardens and alpine plant collections.

Saxifraga ‘Hare Knoll Beauty’

Another Certificate of Merit went to Michael Wilson for this fine pan of Saxifraga ‘Hare Knoll Beauty’.

Pink flowering rockfoil in a terracotta pot, perfect for alpine garden displays and rockery planting.
Vivid pink and white single flowers of an alpine garden plant, showcasing vibrant blooms and fine foliage, perfect for rock gardens and alpine plant collections.
Pink alpine flowers for garden display, ideal for rockeries and alpine plant collections.

Gymnocalycium monvillei

David Charlton exhibited this beautiful, slow-growing  cactus, timing its flowering to perfection for the show.  Although this is reputed to be hardy down to about -5C if bone dry, I suspect the judges had concerns about its hardiness, for all the prizes in the class went to Rebutia species, none of which were particularly well-flowered.

Bright white cactus flower blooming on a green round cactus with long yellow spines in a terracotta pot.
White cactus flowers blooming on a round cactus plant with spines, ideal for alpine and succulent plant enthusiasts.

Jovibarba heuffelii ‘Hot Chocolate’

As always, Michael Sullivan had some spectacular pans of succulents, and this Jovibarba was part of a winning three-pan entry.

Drought-tolerant succulent garden in a terracotta bowl, featuring dark red and green rosette plants showcasing Alpine Garden Society alpine plant varieties.
Vibrant red and green succulent plants with pointed leaves, perfect for alpine gardens and rockeries, showcasing drought-tolerant succulents for alpine gardening enthusiasts.

Sempervivum arachnoideum ‘Arctic White’

Michael also won the one pan class, with his familiar pan of Sempervivum arachnoideum ‘Arctic White’.

Dwarf succulents with small round leaves forming dense cushion, ideal for alpine gardens and rockeries, showcasing hardy drought-tolerant plants.
Close-up of rock garden plants with succulent growth, suitable for alpine gardening and rock gardening enthusiasts.

Saxifraga ‘Eaton Spray’

Of course Michael Sullivan also brought with him about a dozen large silver saxifrages in full flower, and together they and the Sempervivum brought him the Cheshire Challenge Trophy for the Open section trophy.

I don’t know how he got everything in the car.

Vancouver Island Rockfoil (Saxifraga diversifolia) in a terracotta pot, displaying its intricate white flowers, showcased at the Alpine Garden Society event.

Saxifraga ‘Eaton Champion’

Perhaps the best of Michael’s saxifrages was this one, which received a Certificate of Merit.  This was the pot that challenged Henry, who was carring for me at the time.

Delicate white flowers of Saxifraga 'Eaton Champion' indoors, showcasing alpine gardening beauty.
White flowering alpine plant in a terracotta pot for alpine garden enthusiasts, showcasing beautiful seasonal blooms and hardy gardening tips.
White flowering alpine plant with small delicate blooms, ideal for rock gardens and alpine collections.

Junellia micrantha

But the Farrer medal for the best plant in the show went to John and Clare Dower for this large specimen of Junellia micrantha, which I have only photographed before in the small pan classes.

Vivid purple and green alpine garden plant in a terracotta pot, showcasing vibrant flora for rock gardens and container planting.
Violet flowering plants from the Alpine Garden Society, ideal for rock gardens and alpine planting enthusiasts.
Vivid purple and white alpine flowers in a garden setting, emphasizing hardy plants suitable for rock gardens and alpine gardening enthusiasts.

I would like to thank everyone for putting on a superb show, particularly show secretary Bob Worsley and his helpers.  Although I couldn’t manage the stairs up to the catering area, the cheese and ham baps which my wife Helen brought down were excellent.  The judges and stewards did an effective and efficient job, and the exhibitors brought a wonderful range of plants.

In particular I would like to thank everyone who volunteered to help carry plants for me to photograph, and who helped to ferry my own plants to and fro from the car.  And lastly, of course, Helen for looking after me when I was determined to visit and photograph a show although I wasn’t really fit to do so.

Read previous entries at The Photographers Diary

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