Derek Phillips, Chairman of the Wessex Daffodil group had a day to remember as the group celebrated its 25th anniversary show. Derek won the DS Gold medal for winning the Wessex Championship class for 6 cultivars from Divisions 1-4 with a fine set of Ombersley 1Y-Y and River Queen 2W-W, All America 2W-P and Cape Cornwall 2Y-YYR and Heamoor 4Y-Y and Truculent 3W-WWY. Cape Cornwall was also the Best bloom in show.
Cape Cornwall Shown by Derek Phillips
He also won the newly introduced American Daffodil Society ribbon class for 5 American bred cultivars. The winning exhibit contained Blue Danube, Pacific Rim, All American, Oregon Pioneer and River Queen.
Derek Phillips wins Gilt medal ADS Ribbon and Best Bloom
The prestigious DS Silver medal was awarded to Alan Purnell for most points in the show. Alan’s Ombersley was Reserve Best Bloom and he also won the Frank Calcraft Memorial class, Best Divs 5-13 and Miniatures and was the Division 2 Section winner.
Ombersley – Reserve Best Bloom
Alan Purnell Receiving the Silver Medal for most points from Derek Phillips
The journey from the New Forest was worth the trip for Ray Hayward who took Bronze medal for the Best Exhibit of 3×3 vases including three Banker that was judged best vase of 3 blooms. He also won Best Division 4 for with a lovely Jersey Roundabout.
3×3 Championship winning entry of Ray Hayward
Ray Hayward Receives his Bronze Medal
Janine Doulton travelled from Kent to be our senior judge and although for a number of reasons exhibits and exhibitors were down in numbers on previous years it was a great day. Our thanks to Henton Gardening club members for their hospitality (the bacon butties in particular!) and for their increasing entries in the village classes. Especial thanks to Dennis Roberts who has been a great support of the Wessex group shows at Henton. Hearty congratulation on his 80th birthday and for winning the most points in the Henton village classes.
Dennis Roberts celebrates his birthday with most points in the Henton classes
This tiny Somerset village of Henton has become a real home for the Daffodil Society Wessex Group, and a fitting place to hold what is now a prestigious Regional event. Just a few miles in fact from where King Alfred signed the treaty of Wedmore and created the ancient Kingdom of Wessex in 878 A.D.!!. Every year the local garden society pulls out all the stops to help us, and their freely given efforts not least in keeping us and visitors to the show refreshed is so very greatly appreciated. Participation in the Local Classes increases each year both in number and in quality. Dennis Roberts has been a particular and stalwart friend to us working to give publicity to the show not just locally but even on the BBC. At 80 on show day he is standing down from those duties for a well earned rest, but we have not seen the last of him I am sure. Note that he is the first member of Henton GC to get a First in the open classes of the show (pot of daffodils) . That gave me so much pleasure, and I would love to see more Henton GC members in the open classes. Well done Dennis, as ever showing the way. Big thanks to everyone in Henton Garden Club, you are very special people and I look forward to seeing you all next year.
Derek Phillips, Chairman Wessex Group.
Thanks to Derek and all the helpers at the Wessex show. We had a great day. There were some exhibits of exceptional quality and even the weather was good. I can endorse the quality of the bacon butties especially as I had two!
I was glad of all the help from other exhibitors at my first Wessex and encouraged by Ian Rakes who grows with a limited number of pots like myself.
Can’t wait until next year. See you there.
John Hamblin