Dazzling displays of daffodils at show

And the show officials made an appropriate choice because his mother, Kate Reade, was the proprietor of Carncairn Daffodils which was based in Broughshane.

Due to the late spring, daffodils which are a major feature at spring shows were at their peak and the daffodil classes attracted exhibitors from throughout the province. We were delighted to welcome, Catherine McKay, a daffodil judge from New Zealand who informed us that her roots were in the Broughshane district.

The Floral Art Section was well supported by exhibitors who were asked to interpret the set assignments within a defined space.

Entries in the pot plant, cut flowers and flowering shrub classes were slightly down on previous years manly due to the late season.

Again we were inundated by entries from local schools in classes which allowed individuals to express their creativity. Classes for a creature made from vegetables and/or fruit, and miniature gardens proved to be most popular.

The Club wishes to acknowledge the support given by the following businesses in providing prizes:- Bali-Hai Nursery, Carnlough; Ben Vista Nursery, Ahoghill; Coleman’s Garden Centre, Templepatrick; Creative Gardens, Galgorm Castle Estate; James McNeill, Broughshane; Montrose Garden Supply Company, Ballymena; Samore Plant Centre, Martinstown, Shrubs and Tubs, Antrim, and Slemish Market Garden, Ballymena.

Daffodil Classes

Voucher presented by Creative Gardens, Galgorm Castle Estate for the best daffodil bloom in the Show: Nial Watson

Guy Wilson Memorial Cup together with a voucher presented by Coleman’s Garden Centre, Templepatrick, awarded for twelve varieties of daffodil, one stem of each, selected from at least three Divisions: Nial Watson

Red, White and Blue Ribbon of the American Daffodil Society awarded for five varieties, American raised, one stem of each, staged in one vase: George Wilson

Laughlin Cup together with a voucher presented by James McNeill, Broughshane, awarded for a collection of six varieties, three stems of each selected from at least three Divisions: Derrick Turbitt

Creighton Cup together with a prize presented by Bali-Hai Nursery, Carnlough, awarded to the exhibitor with the highest points in the Single Bloom Classes: Philip and Denise Wallace

Rathowen Cup together with a voucher presented by Shrubs and Tubs, Antrim, awarded to the exhibitor with the highest points in the Miniature and Special Daffodil Classes: Maurice Kerr/Gordon Finch

Crawford Cup together with a voucher presented by Shrubs and Tubs, Antrim, awarded to the exhibitor with the highest points in the Amateur Senior Collection Classes: Richard McCaw/Philip and Denise Wallace

Amateur Championship of Ireland

Silver Tray presented by the Northern Ireland Daffodil Group, awarded to the winner of a collection of 12 varieties – one stem of each selected from at least three Divisions, each stem to be staged singly: Richard McCaw

Frazer Cup together with a voucher presented by Montrose Garden Supply Company, Ballymena, awarded to the exhibitor with the highest points in the Amateur Senior Single Bloom Classes: Richard McCaw

Martin Cup together with a voucher presented by Bali-Hai Nursery, Carnlough, awarded to the exhibitor with the highest points in the Novice Classes: David Speed

Thirkettle Shield awarded to the exhibitor, aged up to 16 years, for the best bloom: Logan Belshaw

Best Bloom Awards

Best Bloom – Division 1: Robbie Curry; Best Bloom – Division 2: Nial Watson; Best Bloom – Division 3: Robbie Curry; Best Bloom – Division 4: George Wilson; Best Bloom – Division 6: Richard McCaw

Best Bloom – Any other Division: Nial Watson

Best Bloom – Seedling: Richard McCaw

Best Bloom – Miniature: Gordon Finch

Miscellaneous Classes

Slemish Market Garden voucher awarded for the highest points in Pot Plant Classes: Elizabeth Boyd

Ben Vista Nursery, Ahoghill, voucher awarded for the highest points in the Cut Flowers and Flowering Shrubs Classes: Elizabeth Boyd

Samore Plant Centre, Martinstown, voucher awarded for the highest points in the Cacti and Succulents Classes: Elizabeth Boyd

Christina McCleary Cup awarded for the highest points in the Miscellaneous Classes: Elizabeth Boyd

Floral Art Classes

Slemish Bowl together with a voucher presented by Montrose Garden Supply Company for the highest points in the Women’s Institute Classes: Broughshane WI/Ahoghill WI

Woburn Abbey Flower School Trophy together with a prize presented by Ballymena Garden Club in memory of Mrs May Matthews for the highest points in the Open Section: Colleen Hamill

J E Losty Trophy together with a voucher presented by Ben Vista Nursery, Ahoghill, for the highest points in the Intermediate Section: Maureen Scullion

David McClelland Silver Salver awarded for the highest points in the Novice Section: Adeline Cherry

Prizes presented by Mrs Mavis Speers for winners of each class in the Novice Section:

Class L1: Adeline Cherry

Class L2: No entries

Silver Salver presented by Ballymena Floral Art Society awarded for the best use of garden material in the Open, Intermediate and Novice Sections: Heather Kerr

Miniature Trophy awarded to the winner of the Young Persons Floral Art section: No entries

Schools and Young Persons Classes

Miniature trophies awarded to the winners of each of the following classes:

Creature made from vegetables and/or fruit: Jacob Brimstone (Broughshane PS)

Mustard or cress grown in an unusual container: Anna Humphries (Broughshane PS)

Miniature garden: Georgia Boyd (Broughshane PS)