Ayr Flower Show blooms with success

Aug 15 2008 by Yonnie McInnes

DESPITE a mix of sunshine and showers Ayr Flower Show attracted the crowds in droves to Rozelle Estate at the weekend.

Now in its 48th year, chairman of the show, Ayr solicitor John Walker, said: “This was one of our more challenging years with the heavy rainfall through the small hours of Saturday and on Saturday morning.

“Again our team of volunteers and exhibitors rose to the occasion and we enjoyed the support of a large crowd of visitors both from South Ayrshire and very much wider afield - including Holland and Norway.

“The standard of exhibit was second to none and by the end of Sunday we could safely say that we have now firmly established Scotland’s Summer Flower Show at Ayr.

“We are already planning an extra special 2009 as we support the year of Homecoming and are making contacts with local authorities throughout the country to see the return of many more major exhibits in the Grand Floral Marquee.

“We are pleased with the standard of the exhibits this year and especially in the floral art marquee which had nearly double the display of last year.”

Horticultural societies from all over the world are also being contacted by show organisers Ayrshire Horticultural Society to encourage them to come and exhibit in 2009 Mr Walker revealed.

The Children’s Flower show was renamed the Junior Flower Show this year to reflect the wide age range of entrants and was sponsored once again by Ayr Guildry with Directional Letting providing sponsorship for the main award section.

Ayr Grammar school won the Design-a-Garden inter-schools competition thanks to their Busy Bees Garden Club members.

As you can see from our pictures a great time was had by all at this massive community event which is organised, and staffed, entirely by volunteers.

MAJOR award winners within the Ayrshire Post circulation area were as follows:-

BEGONIAS

George McCormick Memorial Trophy, winner class 583; George Neil Memorial Challenge, most points classes 582 to 590;Rozette, best yellow:- all won by Kennedy McQuiston, Girvan.

Ron White Memorial Trophy winner, class 562:- Tom Brown, Stair.

Begonia Society Display 1st:- South West Scotland Begonia Society, Ian Martin.

West Lawn Memorial Trophy, winner class 557:- James Nisbet, Mauchline.

BAKING, SWEETS, PRESERVES BREWING

Cambusdoon Trophy, best exhibit, class 322:- Grace Patrick, Kirkmichael WRI- Team A.

Douglas Trophy, most points in classes 323 to 341:- Rachel Martin, Ayr.

CHRYSANTHEMUMS.

Robert Jamie Trophy, best exhibit class 26, William Nairn, Cumnock.

FLOWER ARRANGEMENT

Ayr and District Floral Art Club Trophy, most points classes, 205 to 221; Ayr and District Floral Art Club Chrysanthemum Club Trophy, best exhibit class 212:- both Mrs Marlyn Halliday.

Auchincruive Floral Art Club Award, best exhibit class 217:- Mrs Maureen A Gorlay, Ayr.

Jessie Clark Award, best exhibit class 205, Mrs Anne Hope, Ayr.

Pearl Vannin Trophy, best exhibit class 206, Jo Larcombe, Alloway.

Wakefield Trophy, runner-up to best exhibit in classes 204 to 221, Mrs Tricia Moss, Prestwick.

FRUIT

Tom Johnston Trophy, best exhibit, class 225 to 233:- Ian Maxwell, Ayr.

FUCHSIAS

Special prize, South West Scotland Championship, third place, Mrs Nan Scaife, Troon.

GLADIOLI

Blue Riband Award, best exhibit, classes 71 to 93, National Trust for Scotland, Culzean Country Park.

HANDCRAFT, KNITTING

Crookmoss Trophy, best exhibit in class 296 to 312, Mrs Margaret Adams, Prestwick.

Capstan Trophy, besst exhibit, class 313, EllaMair, Cumnock.

Forehill Trophy, most points in classes 314 to 321:- Jean Wilson, Maybole.

SWRI Special Prize, best exhibit in class 294 to 321:- Ruby Weir.

HERBACEOUS ANNUALS

DI Murray Trophy, best exhibit class 79:- NTS Culzean Country Park.

HONEY

Ayr and District Beekeepers Association Trophy, most points classes 700 to 714:- James T McColm, Girvan.

PELARGONIUMS

CM Jarvie Trophy, Scottish Championship, most points classes 124 to 128; Ayr Flower Show Trophy, most points in classes 131 to 146; B&D Davies Perpetual Trophy, best exhibit class 125; John Johnston BEGS Trophy winner class 130:- all won by Bobby Davidson, Ayr.

Bruno Brontke Trophy, best exhibit class 143:- Mrs Elizabeth Shakespeare, Troon.

POT PLANTS

Ayrshire Post Trophy, best exhibit class 104; and Newton Carpet Works Trophy:- James Nisbet, Mauchline.

PANSIES VIOLAS

WIlliam Watson Davidson Memorial Cup, most points classes 612 to 634: Hugh Campbell Trophy, winner class 628: rosette, best vase bedding Viola/garden Pansy:- all won by Malcolm Macgregor, Patna.

John Watt Memorial Trophy, best bloom classes 625 to 627; Murphy Challenge Trophy, runner-up most points in classes 612 to 634; Rosette, best exhibit; Rosette, best board exhibition Viola:- all Mrs Mrs M J Boyle, Dalmellington.

JUNIOR AWARDS

Ayr Flower Show Poster, best echibit in classes 499, 500, 521 and 522, Louise Robertson.

Directional Letting Challenge, most points in classes 485 to 526:- Monica McElwee, by Ayr.

Craft Daft Prize, class 462: Cameron Girvan, Ayr.

Kidz Play Prize, winner class 442:- Cara Glover, Prestwick.

McLays Playgrond Supplies Ltd, Trophy, best exhibit in class 506 to 526, Monica McElwee, by Ayr.

National Trust for Scotland Children’s Trophy, best exhibit in class 443 to 463:- Cody McSkimming.

Robert Holley Trophy, best exhibit in calss 426 to 442:- Sophie Shepherd, Ayr.

Sheperd’s Friendly Society Trophy, best exhibit in class 485 to 505: Sarah Rowan, Craigie.

LEARNING DIFFICULTIES

Enable Trophy, winner of section (classes 529 to 535):- Shannon McMahon.

Hansel Alliance Damside Trophy, winner of section (classes 536 to 554) JeanCollins Torrance Lodge Nursing Home.

TRADE TROPHIES

Frank Codona Trophy – Dibleys (Streptocarpus)

Codona Rosebowl – Gibb of Galston

Daily Record Trophy – Roualeyn Nurseries

James Wilson Trophy – Dibleys.

Maybole Trophy – Gardening Leave, Hollybush House veterans.

Margaret Honeker Trophy – Plantagogo.

McConechy’s Tyre Services Trophy – Oaktree Nursery.

Prestwick Millenium Trophy – West Dunbartonshire Council.

Provost MacDonald Trophy – Glasgow City Council.

Royal Burgh of Ayr Trophy – Fir Tree Pelargoniums.

RSAC Trophy – North of England Bonsai.

Symington Trophy – Elizabeth MacGregor

WH Lowrie Trophy – Scottish Begonia Society.