We have decided today to cancel the Spring Show due to the virus. We think it is the sensible course of action to take in order to safeguard any vulnerable members, exhibitors and visitors.
Hopefully things will have settled down by August when we can look forward to our Summer Show.
There are signs of Spring already with snowdrops, crocuses and early daffodils appearing all around us.
Our February meeting was very well attended when Clive Groves came to talk about violets. It was very interesting to hear about his family’s involvement with violets, going back to his grandfather. Clive holds the national collection and it was surprising to hear that there are many different colours. He has bred several new varieties and named them after his family members. A fascinating talk.
Our March meeting, on the 5th, will take the form of a Gardener’s Question Time.
We have three local horticulturalists on the panel. If you have a question, please write it on the form provided on the night and pop it in the pot. Questions will be picked from the pot and answered by each panelist in turn.
The Spring Show takes place on 21st March at the Memorial Hall. Full details on the ‘Shows’ link.
The A.G.M. is on 2nd April. We would be very pleased to welcome new committee members. We especially need a minute secretary and someone willing to organise the tombolas at the shows. It would help for us to know if you are interested by 21st March. Contact any committee member or see us at the show, if you need more information.
Members met on 5th December for our final meeting of 2019. The evening began with a Quiz compiled by Shaun Vallard, while the meal was being prepared. Everyone then tucked in to a turkey supper followed by a mincemeat slice with clotted cream.
A festive raffle completed a very enjoyable evening.
There will be no members’ meeting in January but the committee will meet to decide on speakers for next year (September onwards). If there is a subject that you are especially interested in, please let us know before 14th January.
Happy Christmas and New Year to all and we look forward to seeing you on February 6th, when Clive Groves will be speaking about The Secret World of Violets.
Violets
July has come around so it is time to start thinking about our Summer Show on August 17th. We are always pleased to welcome new exhibitors as well as our ‘regulars’. See the ‘Shows’ link for full details.
We are enjoying glorious weather and our gardens are looking beautiful. Her are a few examples.
View of the summerhouse, Buckland Ripers.
Deutzia in full bloom
This orchid has flowered again after 4 years!
Special Awards
Daffodil Championship Salver and Medal for Best Daffodil Exhibit, Ray Hayward. Best Bloom in Daffodils (Cape Cornwall), Darlene Hayward. Diploma for Best Vase, Daffodils, Mark Read. Diploma (Judge’s discretion), Eric Pickard.
Silver Cup, Best Exhibit, Other Cut Flowers, Silver Trophy, Class 23 and the Benson Cup, Highest Points, Sections 1 – 6, Bill Howarth. Spring Show Cup, Runner-up, Sections 1 – 6 and the Ladies’ Spring Cup, Darlene Hayward. 
Silver Salver, Best Exhibit Pot Plants, Mark Read. Grandshaw Cup, Highest Points, Pot Plants and Golds Shield, Best Exhibit, Bulbs in Pots, Bill Howarth. Society Rose Bowl, Best Exhibit Floral Art, Brenda Woodsford. 
Novice Shield, Highest Points, Novice Section, Dot Emblen. Ridgeway Cup, Highest Points, Propogation, Bill Howarth. Prospect Cup, Highest Points Cookery and Preserves, Christine Warner. Nottington Cup, Best Handicraft, John Restorick.
Downer Cup, Best Photographic Print, Meg Rolfe. Junior Cup, Highest Points in Children’s Classes, shared by Lizzy and George Gant and Evie May Warner.
On March 7th, Mark Read gave us an excellent talk on growing vegetables. He covered all aspects including sowing, feeding and combating pests and diseases. He ended by answering members’ questions.
March 9th brought the D.F.H.S. A.G.M. at Kingston Maurward. Joy Everington stood down as Secretary and Treasurer after many years and Ann Brown was elected in her place. Joy has given valuable service to the Federation and was presented with a bouquet and a beautiful glass vase in appreciation of her dedication.
Our Spring Show on the 16th was a great success attracting 220 entries from 40 exhibitors. There were plenty of visitors to see the excellent exhibits and to sample the tea and cake.
A few of the exhibits, more images on the results page.
Please be aware that the A.G.M. and Members’ Mini Show will be held at the Memorial Hall, Victoria Avenue, Upwey and not at the school. The hall will be open from 7pm for bringing entries.
Our May Meeting was very well attended when Jan Willment gave an excellent talk and demonstration on hanging baskets. She suggested which plants thrive best and what compost to use. While talking, she filled three kinds of basket, all beautiful. She kindly donated one to the raffle with the winner choosing from the three.
Next was our Plant Sale at the Memorial Hall on May 13th. There were plenty of customers so hopefully our funds will be boosted.
June 1st was a beautiful day for our visit to The Walled Garden at little Bredy. We began with a lovely cream tea before exploring the garden.
The scones were home-made served with delicious strawberry jam and clotted cream.
We then proceeded to the garden which didn’t disappoint.The borders were filled with perennials with butterflies and bees being very busy.
It was soon time for a sit down and Colin and Sheila found the perfect spot.
We now look forward to enjoying our own gardens through the summer and preparing for the Summer Show on August 19th.
Our Summer Show, held on 2oth August, was our biggest for several years. Entries were up and the standard was high in all sections. It was pleasing to see new exhibitors adding to the overall success of the show.
The dahlia entries were well up on last year and made a beautiful display. Pot plants, cut flowers and vegetables all added to the colourful scene.
Ready for judging
The floral arrangements were lovely and no doubt hours of work had been put in to the skilfully executed handicrafts. The children produced some wonderful monsters and scarecrows.
A very good show enjoyed by all.
Cut flower section
Container of mixed flowers
Special awards.
National Vegetable Society Medal Best Exhibit. Mark Read NVS Runner-up to Best Exhibit Adrian Read
Silver Challenge Cup Best Vegetable Collection Mark Read
Charles Read Memorial Cup Highest Points (Veg.) Bill Howarth
Tomato Trophy John Morris
Produce Challenge Cup Best Mixed Collection Mark Read
Garden News Shield Lady with Highest Points in Vegetable Classes shared by Gill Wilkinson and Jean Wyman
Springfield Cup Best Exhibit, Fruit Classes Bill Howarth
National Dahlia Society Silver Medal Rodger Turner
National Dahlia Society Bronze Medal Frank Newbery
Beaton Challenge Cup Highest points, Flower Classes John Morris
Bincombe Cup Best Exhibit, Cut Flower Classes Bill Howarth
Gladioli Award Best Exhibit Matt Ings
Coronation Silver Challenge Cup Best Pot Plant Mark Read
Pelargonium Shield Best Exhibit Shaun Vallard
Begonia Award Best Exhibit Peter Read
Amateur Produce Challenge Cup Highest Points Novice Classes shared by P. Tyler and D. Caves
Pridham Rose Bowl Highest Points, Floral Dec. Brenda Woodsford
Sackville Hamilton Cup Best Exhibit, Floral Dec. Brenda Woodsford
Novice Floral Award Julia Sheffield
The Howard Cup Highest Points, Preserves and Cookery Chris Warner
The Richards Trophy Best Exhibit, Preserves and Cookery Chris Warner
Westbrook Cup Best Handicraft Exhibit Alison White
Redlands Cup Highest Points, Photography (Spring and Summer Shows) Adrian Read
Cup for Highest Points Group 1 Children’s Classes Dylan Virgin
Virgin Challenge Cup, Highest Points Group 2 Riley Virgin
Banksian Medal Highest Points, Horticulture Bill Howarth
Efco Trophy Highest Points gained in Show Bill Howarth
Another successful Show was held on 15th August in the Upwey Memorial Hall.
Entries were slightly up on last year although the dahlia entries were low. Forty-two exhibitors staged almost two hundred and fifty exhibits and the standard was high across the whole show.
The flowers, pot plants and floral art provided wonderful colour for visitors to enjoy. There were also magnificent vegetables and delicious looking cookery. The three photography classes attracted thirty-eight entries, a difficult task for the judge. The handicraft exhibits were excellent and the children’s delightful.
Well done to all who entered. 
SPECIAL AWARDS
National Vegetable Society Medal, Best Vegetable Exhibit – Mark Read
National Vegetable Society Runner-up to Best Vegetable Award – Mark Read
Silver Challenge Cup, Best Vegetable Collection – Mark Read
Charles Read Memorial Cup, Highest Points, Vegetable Classes – Bill Howarth
The Tomato Trophy, Best Exhibit, Tomato Classes – Mark Read
Upwey and Broadwey Produce Challenge Cup – John Morris
Garden News Shield, Lady with Highest Points in Vegetables – Gill Wilkinson and Jean Wyman
Springfield Cup, Best Exhibit, Fruit Classes – Bill Howarth
National Dahlia Society Silver Medal, Class 29 – Frank Newbery
National Dahlia Society Bronze Medal – Frank Newbery
The Beaton Challenge Cup, Highest Points Flower Classes – John Morris
Bincombe Cup, Best Exhibit, Cut Flower Classes – John Morris
Coronation Silver Challenge Cup, Best Exhibit, Pot Plants – Mark Read
Gladioli Award Best exhibit, Gladioli Classes – John Morris
New Broadwey Pelargonium Shield, Best Exhibit, Pelargonioum Classes – Mark Read
Begonia Award Best exhibit Begonia Classes – Mark Read
Upwey and Broadwey Memorial Amateur Produce Challenge Cup Highest points, Novice Classes – Dorothy Emblen
Pridham Rose Bowl Highest Points Floral Decoration- Brenda Woodsford
Sackville Hamilton Challenge Cup Best Exhibit Floral Decoration- Doris Flack
Novice Floral Award Best Exhibit, Class 80- no entry
The Howard Cup Highest Points, Preserves and Cookery in Domestic Section – Neil Coad
The Richard’s Trophy Best Exhibit, Preserves and Cookery – Neil Coad
Westbrook Cup Best Exhibit Handicrafts – Debbie Davis
Redlands Cup Highest Points, Photography in Spring and Summer Shows – Meg Rolfe
Cup for the Highest Points in Group 1, Children’s Classes – Tilly Gant
The Virgin Challenge Cup Highest Points in Group 2, Children’s Classes – Lizzy Gant
The Banksian Medal of the Royal Horticultural Society – John Morris
The efco Trophy Highest Points gained in Show – Bill Howarth
