Autumn 2023 Results Autumn Trophy Winners 2023
Bolton le Sands Horticultural Society Autumn Show Report 21st October 2023
Bolton le Sands Horticultural Society’s 74th Annual Autumn Show was held on Saturday 21st October from 2pm – 4pm in Bolton le Sands Community Centre.
At the start of the Show, we welcomed retired committee member Mr Barry Atack to have a look around the exhibits before he was presented with a RHS Silver medal by Senior Committee member, Mrs Barbara Bainbridge. The medal recognises Barry’s many contributions to Bolton le Sands Horticultural Society over the last 18 years.
Since their humble origins in Dewsbury, Barry and his wife Betty have amassed a wealth of botanical knowledge across all areas of flora. Barry’s passion for the unusual led to an extensive collection of seeds and plants from all around the world, from cacti and succulents to lilies, rare tulips, ferns and foxgloves. Recent circumstances have meant that Barry retired from his roles as panellist on the village ‘Gardeners Questions’ events and as head judge of the Bolton le Sands Village Garden Competition. It was lovely to be able to recognise his contributions over the years and he and Betty enjoyed their visit to the show
This year’s Autumn Show was a bumper year for entries in the Floral Art section with beautiful exhibits for Bonfire Night and Halloween. The Miss Beaumont Trophy for most points in the Floral Art Section was won by Ruth Iveson of Southport.
The T W Bellis Trophy, the M Broadwith Trophy and the Federation Blue Ribbon, were all won by Mr Derrick Ireland of Yealand for his exhibit in Class 307: Vase of 5 Chrysanthemums which was spectacular.
The Autumn Show was well attended and many of the visitors stayed for the end of show Auction of produce, which was conducted by Chris Nightingale who kindly stepped in at the last minute. The Auction raised £36 and from this £20 will be donated to our Charity of the year, the Forget-me-not Centre @ St John’s Hospice.
Thank you to all volunteers and members of the Horticultural Society Committee for their hard work and dedication in bringing the Show together. This wonderful community event could not go ahead without your efforts. Particular mention goes to the wonderful WI volunteers who ran the kitchen and kept the tea and cakes flowing all afternoon.
Our last event of the year will be the November Talk: “For Peat’s Sake” by Zoe Munby to be held at 7.30pm on Thursday 16th November at the Old Boys’ School on St Michael’s Lane.