Back to Headlines Classified Spring Show Results

Drawn from their domiciles by the warmth of the April sunshine, Farringdon flower growers made their way to the Village Hall with a selection of blooms for the Farringdon Horticultural Society Spring Show 2006 . Postponed from the beginning of the month after the unusually cold March, the 22nd April seemed a fortunate choice as a variety of spring flowers were carried into the Hall by their growers.

 

 

Two Annes add those final touches to their exhibits, Anne Charrington (right) checks her entry under the watchful eye of a slightly out of focus husband in the background, with Anne Shewan, just in shot, sorting out her entry.

 

 

Further down the tables the Watts family entries were being installed, Horticultural Society Commander Phyll checks her entry while mother Joan brings in flowers for another class.

 

 

 

Outside, in the warm spring sunshine, the first of the Village Hall clear ups were under way with a number of volunteers setting about the areas surrounding the old school playground.

Some were tackling the vertical growth on the end wall. . . .

 

 

. . .while others set about the undergrowth. A number of youngsters were helping out, including Vecta, proving that 90 years plus is no obstacle as she operates her shears in dangerously close proximity to your reporter's bootlaces.

 

 

A cloud of blue smoke and flying grass concealed Hugh Bevan and trusty rotary, enthusiastically attacking the tussocks alongside the car park.

 

 

Nadya Wagland's assistant seemed to be convinced that the undergrowth was concealing some athletic wildlife, failing that, the odd biscuit would provide an acceptable substitute

 

Back in the Hall, almost everything was in place for Judge Mike Cook to make his deliberations, including this arrangement of spring flowers. (shown here in a vain attempt to divert attention from the pathetic failure of your reporter to take a picture of the Judge)

 

 

As the doors were about to be closed for judging, Show Secretary Carole Williams was keeping her beady eye on you reporter who was lurking among the flowering shrubs.

Taking the hint I sloped off home for lunch before returning for the prizegiving in the afternoon.

 

 

Revived by lunch (resisting the temptation to divert into the adjacent watering hole on both the outward and return journeys) I returned to find Kate and Tony Causton admiring the exhibits at one end of the hall.

 

 

At the other end (from left) Ken Ewin, Steward Brian Williams and Michael Cow were sitting on the edge of the stage allegedly discussing the finer points of exhibition technique.

 

The Spring Show coincided with the visit of Griff Rhys-Jones to Farringdon, filming for his forthcoming Restoration series, which will feature Massey's Folly as one of the regional entries.

Accompanied by a film crew from Endomol, the company who produce the series for BBC Television, he conducted several interviews during the afternoon including this discourse with Pat and Pam Moss.

 

Elizabeth Williams, not the subject of this picture I hasten to add, was on hand for the onerous task of judging the children's classes and, after much careful thought and dliberation, decided that Max Taylor's entry, "Eggsterminate the Dalek" (which is the subject of the picture on the left) should be awarded the top prize.

 

 

Meanwhile Griff was being mugged by the Watts family and looking somewhat concerned as he was backed against the wall.Eventually he gave in and agreed to draw the raffle and present the Show Winners with their prizes.

After presenting those fortunate enough to win the amazing prizes on offer in the raffle, a vintage performance from Griff, he moved on to present the prizes to the show winners.

First up was Max Taylor, the Children's Class winner, seen here in deep discussion with Griff.

Pam Steele-Perkins, the Runner-Up in the Overall points competition, is in the background.

 

Overall Points Winner this year was Show Chair Phyll Watts, although Griff did check that all was above board before presenting her with the spoils of victory. Thanks to Griff's presence the 2006 Spring Show will be remembered as a vintage year.
I wonder who will present the prizes next year.

As the tables were cleared away, strange noises from upstairs demanded an investigation and an excursion to the upper levels revealed the Endomol cameraman, crouching in the roof gutter and filming more 'volunteers', who were attacking the moss and grass built up in the gutters under the guidance of Mike Edwards.

Further clear ups are planned to continue the work begun over the Spring Show Weekend

 

Back to Headlines Classified Spring Show Results

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