The 28th Wessex Group Show at its usual venue at Henton in Somerset, was an event that everyone seemed to enjoy even more than usual this year. Our senior judge, James Akers MBE, had his work cut out in the six championship classes though, which contained 141 vases between them, most of which James patiently pointed. 28 exhibitors in total which, without looking at old results, I believe was a record number of exhibitors.
The quality of all the exhibits was very high, especially in the Wessex Championship class requiring 6 vases covering all Divisions 1-4.
Wessex Championship
We have a new Champion this year (About time, I can hear you thinking !), winner of the Society Gilt Medal was a really excellent exhibit put up by Ivor Clark, with: Sun Bronze 2Y-O; Moon Shadow 3W-GWW; Cool Crystal 3W-GWW; Disquiet 1Y-Y; Tasgem 4Y-Y; and Touchdown 2W-P. Ivor’s Cool Crystal was Best Div.3 bloom and also Reserve Best Bloom in show.
Cool Crystal – Best Division 3 & Reserve Best Bloom – Shown by Ivor Clark
Erica Pickard was Second, which out of 9 entries was a commendable result for a novice exhibitor. Derek Phillips scraped a Third Place, although his exhibit did contain the Best Div.1 bloom Ombersley 1Y-Y, and Best Div.2 bloom Banker 2Y-O. This Banker was also the Best Bloom in the show.
Banker – Best Div 2 & Best Bloom – Shown by Derek Phillips
The Society Bronze Medal for the Best Exhibit in Championship classes 2-5, also went to Ivor for his 3×3 vases of: Samsara 3Y-YRR; Touchdown 2W-P; and Fireblade 2Y-YYO.
Bronze Medal Winner – Samsara, Touchdown & Fireblade – Shown by Ivor Clark
The Touchdown in this class were also awarded Best Vase of three blooms in the show. Second in the 3×3 Divs.1-4 was Derek Phillips; Third was Ken Pickard another novice exhibitor, fast leaving father Eric Pickard behind. Also in this class was Best Div.4 bloom Gay Kybo 4W-O from a vase of three shown by Richard Patrick. 7 Entries.
The Frank Calcraft Memorial Class for 6 vases from Divs.5-13 was won by Angela Purnell with an exhibit also awarded Best 5-13 collection. Dan du Plessis 8Y-O; Trignometry 11W-P; Silver Chimes 8W-W; Rapture 6Y-Y; Penny Perowne 7Y-Y; and Ice Wings 5W-W.
Second was Basil Billinger, and Third was Jennifer Dean. Jennifer’s entry did contain another of her nice Avalanches awarded Best Div: 5-13 bloom in show. 7 Entries.
The Frank Calcraft Memorial Class Entries
Class 4 for 3×3 Divs. 5-13 was won by Angela Purnell once again with: Dan du Plessis 8Y-O; Silver Chimes 8W-W; and Penny Perowne 7Y-Y. Second Evelyn Jane, Third Jennifer Dean. 4 Entries.
Class 5 for 3×3 miniatures was won by Ivor Clark with: Minnow 8W-Y; Yellow Xit 3W-Y; and Pacific Coast 8Y-Y. Second Evelyn Jane, Third Jennifer Dean. 3 Entries.
The American Daffodil Society Ribbon was won once again by Derek Phillips with: River Queen 2W-W; American Dream 1Y-P; Rose Lake 2W-P; Trignometry 11W-P; and Oregon Pioneer 2Y-P. Second Chris Yates, Third Jennifer Dean. Three very nice Entries.
The American Daffodil Society Ribbon Winning Entry – Shown by Derek Phillips
The Society Silvered Medal for most points in the show was won by Chris Yates for a terrific contribution in terms of number of entries in the show including of course a selection of his wonderful seedlings.
There were multiple entries in 44 of the remaining 46 classes, mostly for single blooms. Chris Yates picked up four of the Section Winners rosettes for most wins in:- Div:1, Div:2, Div:3, and the Misc classes. Derek Phillips picked up two rosettes, for Div: 4, and the Miniature classes (Yes miniatures, you did read that correctly). Evelyn Jane won the Divs:5-13 section. Also in these classes was to be found the Best Miniature Pixie’s Sister 7Y-Y shown by Basil Billinger.
A new team from Henton GC provided the much loved Bacon Rolls in the morning, and the support from the garden Club Members generally is as ever appreciated. The Best Exhibit in the Local Classes went to an unnamed double exhibited by David Heath.
Thanks too, to James and Wendy for travelling so far to judge the show, to Gwynne Davies for taking on the often thankless task of Show Secretary, and to all my friends, family and exhibitors who unfailingly turn up to put the show up and then clear the hall afterwards. Without your support the show couldn’t happen.
Derek Phillips
Show Manager.
An excellent and comprehensive report Derek. The quality and coverage of classes of blooms on the benches gets better. A good team effort, very inspiring.
Thanks Wendy. Good to know that somebody has read it. Always amazed that we manage to cover so many classes between us. Appreciated you both coming.
This was my second double stint (I only use this word because at my age it’s difficult to remember another one) at judging this show, the first probably twenty years ago. Quite a few changes since then; a better venue and different exhibitors but a super set of friendly people that do the Daffodil Society proud. Some lovely flowers and very well staged.
Thanks James. From its beginnings 28 years ago the Wessex show has not been about rivalry. It has been about celebrating the daffodil and the end of the show season locally. One last chance to gather as friends and show daffodils for the sake of it. No cups, no prize money. For a number of us it is our favourite show. There is no active committee organising it, but on the day everybody just turns up, lends a hand to their own ability, a d it just happens. I find the support I am given very humbling and inspired to organise it for another year. Thank you both for the part you played in our show this year.
Such a shame that this show coincided with the World Daffodil Convention as this is the second year that I have had to miss it.
There are some first class growers in the Wessex area and I have to say we have a history of growing Avalanche really well. Caryl Cheesewright exhibited a fantastic flower with around 20 florets at the DS show one year.
Looking forward to next year…..someone has to seriously challenge Derek for that ADS ribbon! As you can see he even brings his own flag!