North West Dahlia Society
News Letter 2001
Knight Out At The Poms
Alan Barlow with his proud and wonderful lady Margery at Harrogate Northern
Show, showing that a good little one can beat a good big one any day!
With his best in show exhibit of six pompons (Rhonda)
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Special Points of Interest For 2002
* January 12th Annual Dinner, at Cross Keys, Milnthorpe
*February 21st Quiz night, at Club Inn, Endmoor, by George Towler
*March 21st Dahlia Slide Show, Old Varieties, at Club Inn Endmoor, by Frank
Taylor
*March 23rd Northern AGM Venue to be add
*April 25th Dahlia Lecture, Grow Under Lights at Club Inn, Endmoor, by Geoff
Gardener
*May 26th 1:30pm Dahlia Plant Sale, at Hilltop, Sedbergh Rd, Nr Kendal
*August 9th-10th-11th- Ambleside Show
*September 15th North West Annual Show, at Kirkland Hall, Kendal
*September 29th Club Inn Flower & Veg Show, at Endmoor
*October 24th Dahlia Lecture, at Club Inn, Endmoor, by Don Sutcliffe
*December 5th North West AGM, at Club Inn, Endmoor
December 8th 1:30pm Annual Dahlia Tuber Sale, at Hilltop, Sedbergh Rd, Nr Kendal
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The 2001 Ambleside
Golden Exhibit Stand
Another outstanding exhibit
stand the small band of the north west members just seem to get better as we go,
like a good wine improves maturity year after year.
Another gold medal under our belts we have to thank Jack Gott, Jimmy
Heginbottom, and Bryan Warriner, for the basket displays, George Towler and
Jimmy Jones had a hand in the pompons which made it complete, George took charge
of the video display as most of the committee were on duty throughout the show
advising and giving the public the information they needed.
We all agreed it was the tidiest and well organized stand we had done, but we
are not going to rest on our laurels, there is plenty of room for improvement
and fresh idea’s.
The great plus with this venue is the friendly welcome we get from the
Ambleside committee, and the amount of public that see the varieties and
different types of dahlias on display.
Ambleside show has become a regular feature in our calendar year, it’s a
wonderful show throughout, and there are other societies and trade stands set in
the very heart of Lakeland.
Why not make it a date and give us a visit and have a crack with the lads, I’m
quite sure you will have a grand day out
By J Jones
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This Is Fred Currie
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Hon Secretaries Report
Well here we go:- All the shows over
All the cups polished, presented or put away
All the members are happy over the judging exam
All the members in tune with the NDS
All the pigs fed and ready to fly
And so a another season has been and gone, for some it has been outstanding,
and others “I’ll be back bigger and better next year” the year started with the
dinner at the cross keys in Milnthorpe, the room was not satisfactory but did
not seem to deter the members that attended, and if you visit the website you
can see them in all there glory.
Feb started on a sad note with the death of Mary, Fred's wife, many members
turned out for the funeral at Lancaster, we past on our deepest sympathy to
Fred.
On the lecture front we were entertained by Messrs Taylor and Greenhalgh who
gave a brilliant insight to the new varieties that will soon be available.
March found us at the Northern AGM this was well attended from our society, and
we had the biggest table at the post conference dinner but sadly not the best
meal, it was well below par, but the crack was excellent.
A note of thanks to all at the northern that made the trip well worthwhile.
We were lucky enough to get Mr John Parkinson as our lecturer in April and he
gave us a tremendous insight to raising and showing Daffodils, never again will
I look at them as yellow flowers that will come in the spring to keep (her in
doors ) quiet.
May found us at Hilltop nurseries, holding our plant sale.
As usual not a great number of buyers but the A team rattled through the
assortment of plants and money was raised for the society, thanks must go to
Phil the fuchsia as he is known to the venue, and a big thanks Ian Sutherland to
the auctioneer.
Unfortunately in June we had members in hospital, Eric Bell and Peter Moreland
we wish them speedy recovery.
In August we were at Ambleside show where a display of Dahlias (see the
website) by Jack and Jimmy (both of basket fame) was awarded a gold medal and a
nice cash prize to help along the funds.
It was then the National dropped the bombshell that the judging committee had
decided not to stage the exam at the venue we had booked for them, it was very
disappointing because there were four or five members who were going to sit the
exam, and since there was not a closing date published, still wanted to apply
(indeed the next bulletin was still advertising for applicants, still with no
closing date in the advert) so no wonder why the NDS is losing members??
Unfortunately September started off with sad report of the death of John
Reynolds we all pass our deepest sympathy to Ann.
The annual show was again held at Kirkland hall in Kendal on a Sunday this
year and all exhibitors preferred that day.
The hall was set up by 7pm the following the arrival of the tables from
Milnthorpe which we thank Jack and Jimmy for the loan loading. Assisted by Jimmy
and George Towler, the hall was soon ready.
21 exhibitors staged 176 entries some of coarse were multi vase classes so
approx 200 vases were put up, G McFarland won the championship and D Fishwick
the best exhibit in show, many members competed in other shows from Shepton
Mallet to Scotland, and it was very pleasing for the society to be able to
congratulate Alan Barlow for his splendid best in show at the National show
Shepton Mallet and his win at the northern show at Harrogate, congratulations
also to Ian Sutherland and Bryan Warriner on there splendid efforts at National
and Northern shows and to anybody I have missed out, who kept the society to the
fore.
In the society 6x4 this society was a creditable second thanks to those who had
spent time and blooms to make this a good entry.
The two pub shows were well supported the Kings Arms and the Club Inn they
both made money for charity selling off the blooms.
Late in September a minibus took a few up to Halls of Heddon a brilliant day
was had by those who attending it is hoped to make this a regular future in
September annually, and finally some members attended the National Dahlia
conference at Bridgemere garden centre this was hosted by the northern committee
and was fairly well attended, the main grouse by the members was the fiasco of
the so called judging exam, and the declining membership of the society in
general.
The last thing before the AGM is Don Sutcliffe aided and abetted by John
Parkinson with a lecture on new varieties,
so we hope to see you, at the AGM remember the society is only as good as its
members.
By John Smith
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Noel Bracewell Judging
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Chairman's Report
Well a year has gone, and how fast it was, they just seem to get faster and
faster, or are these the signs of old age creeping in! It feels like only
yesterday I was sat here writing the annual report.
This years report is a mixed bag with a loss of a couple of our members through
bereavement, they were John Reynolds and John Whalley both will be
missed in there own right.
John Reynolds had been ill for some time but in the past has been a good servant
to the society in giving lectures on sweet peas and other articles.
John Whalley from Chipping was a big lively fellow, his love for the giant
varieties was renowned, he supported our plant and tuber sales and the dahlia
shows throughout the north, both members will be sadly missed.
On the weather front it was a better year, and then anything would be better
that last year’s continuous monsoon.
I can only emulate the secretary’s comments and to add congratulations to the
society members who were involved with successful stands and shows both
nationally and locally, we had another outstanding year a credit to the dahlia
northwest and nationally.
I did get the opportunity to visit Eric bell at his dahlia nursery and can
report he is looking as well as can be expected after his operation, infact
really looks fit.
Pete Moreland was in Lancaster hospital though illness, and the latest report is
that he is back home, if you are in the area I’m quite sure would like a visit,
I know that all member will wish them the best of health and happiness.
It only remains to thank all the sponsors and members who helped make this year
special in their own way, John Smith for keeping me under his wing helping to
keep the meetings running smoothly.
Jack Gott and the Milnthorpe society for the loan of the trestles and tables for
the show. Les Crossley for the loan of the van to transport the tables and
trestles to Nether hall Kendal, and of cause back to Milnthorpe.
Phil the fuchsia and his wife Liz for having us at the Hilltop nursery for the
plant and tuber sales, as this is the only income we have at the moment the
venue is very much appreciated.
We also thank John Parkinson who gave a slide and talk on daffodils, Frank
Taylor and Ian Greenhalgh for their slide talk on dahlias, and Don Sutcliffe for
his slides and talk on new varieties.
I must mention and it will be no surprise when I mention his name Jack Gott,
who has put a lot of effort and time into running the Northwest Dahlia Website
on our behalf, there is a lot of information on there on the running events on
this society so if you haven't visited it yet give it ago its fantastic with
some other great links to other dahlia sites throughout the world, haven’t got a
computer! Don’t understand them! No excuses get your grandkids to show you, I
promise you, you will have some fun.
I would like to thank all the committee for their help and work they have put
in, in making this a truly successful year, and a special thanks to John Smith
who has kept me under his wing to keep our meeting running smoothly.
I must end my report with a sad ending as we will know by now we lost our
president of the National Dahlia society this year Derek Hewlett, he was a great
promoter for the dahlia both home and abroad and will be sadly missed.
That is my report for 2001,
here's to a better one in 2002 best of luck to you all and good dahlia growing.
By: Jimmy Jones
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2nd In 6x4 Class Harrogate 2001
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A Season To Remember: By Alan Barlow
Talking to Jack Gott recently he suggested I write a short account of my
season successes for the newsletter.
So here goes it’s been quite a season, the highlights of which came at the
National at Shepton Mallet and at the Northern show at Harrogate.
For the second year running I decided to compete at Shepton Mallet, a very good
venue “what a distance”.
272 miles, but with clear motorways can be reached in five to six hours.
On arrival, the unloading begins, having first found a staging table which are
generally in short supply.
This time I was lucky, that someone had just finished their staging as we
walked in at about 12.30 am.
It is nice to see familiar faces at these events, Stuart Clency is busy sorting
through his masses of poms and shortly after us, Bryan Warriner arrives and sets
about finding a staging table, “not easy”.
Having entered the class for the twelve vases of poms and the Arthur Griffith
trophy class for smalls and poms, it means that the car is stuffed to the gills
with ten tubs of poms [about 200 blooms] and two crates of small decorative and
small cactus [about 30 blooms] Marge go’s off, as she usually does to find and
collect the vases and entry cards while I sort out the blooms,
she begins to fill the vases with water and oasis, this saves me a lot of time
so I’m able to get down to the long job of staging, the most enjoyable part of
the process for me.
Seven hours and a few cups of coffee later we have all the vases ready for the
show bench. The six vase of smalls and poms class is positioned on the bench,
there being sufficient space, but the twelve vases of poms, space is needed to
be found, space is soon made available with the help of Bryan and Stewart, the
entry cards and name labels are placed ready for judging.
All is now in the lap of the gods and we all retire for a wash and brush up,
followed by a good greasy breakfast and a doze in the car, Which is conveniently
parked near the hall. One worry when I staging poms is that an entry in this
case of 72 blooms i.e. twelve vases of six, can be N.A.S. if one bloom is over
size, very easy with poms.
You need to be very strict in your selection i.e. no borderline blooms.
After a rest in the car we let the judging get well over before creeping in to
see the results. Now begins one of the remember able days of my 40 years of
showing, both entries have won first places.
The elation that this brings melts away the tiredness. In the rush of packing I
forgot my camera but Ian Greenhalgh took photo’s of the entries and after the
presentation took photo’s of Marge and myself with the trophies and medals.
Three trophies in all and three silver medals and two bronze medals,
“unbelievable” to all the people who organize the shows and congratulations to
all the Northwest Dahlia society member successes.
Best wishes to everyone for the coming season.
Alan & Margery Barlow
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Congratulations to all
Congratulations to Alan Barlow and Ian Sutherland on their respective results at
the national and northern shows.
I should like to pay tribute to our master
website manager Jack Gott who after being assisted by Barry Kenyon to set up the
website has made it one of the best dahlia websites on the net, that is not only
my opinion but many other web users as well so thanks to Barry and Jack.
It was
good to see Andrew Robinson has been bitten by the show bug again now that he
has moved and got settled welcome back Andrew.
The final event before the AGM
was the lecture by Don Sutcliffe assisted by Johnny Parkinson it was a well
attended by members from Manchester, Merseyside, Carlisle, and Furness, and a
excellent evening was had by all,
thanks to all that travelled so far to make it a
good night.
BY: J Jones
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I have just seen an advert in the garden news magazine for a gadget which it
claims to cut down gardening work in half, so I have sent for two of them!
Well thank you very much for sharing your happiness with us Alan and madge it
was a pleasure and very enjoyable writing about your success as I ’m sure the
readers will wish you many more successes for your dedication to the dahlia.
Editor Jimmy Jones.
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Around the shows in the northwest
We start the show season of with Storth Show best dahlia exhibit
to J R Gott from Milnthorpe with 5 Richard Mark.
On to Arnside Silver medal and blue Ribbon for best in show to J R Gott
with 5 Natalie G, a new seedling raised by him,
the Bronze Medal to D Fishwick from Silverdale with 3 Golden Impact.
Next to Warton show best exhibit and Silver Medal to J R Gott,
with a basket of mixed dahlias he also won the Bronze Medal.
On to Milnthorpe show and the best Exhibit in show and Silver Medal to J R Gott
with a basket of mixed dahlias he also won the Bronze Medal with 3 Hillcrest
Suffusion.
Next down to Bolton-le-Sands Show and Dave Woodhouse from Bentham won the
Bronze Medal with 3 Karenglen.
Across to Silverdale and Dave Woodhouse won Bronze Medal with 3 Grenador
Pastelle.
Back over to Ingleton show and Dave Woodhouse won the Silver Medal with 3
Trelyn Kiwi he also won the Bronze Medal with 3 White Moonlight.
Over to Lancaster show and Andrew Western from Holme won the Silver Medal with
(?) he also won the Bronze Medal with ( ?).
We move down to Chipping show and Ian Sutherland from Blackburn won the Silver
Medal with 9 Kenora Challenger,
he also won the Bronze Medal with 1 Primrose Diane 2 Ruskin Diane.
We move back across to Barrow in Furness and J Heginbottom from Barrow won the
Silver Medal with 3 Cherwell Skylark,
the Bronze Medal to G McFarland of Barrow with 3 Ruskin Diane.
Next to Dalton Show and Bryan Warriner from Barrow won Silver Medal
with 3 Trelyn Kiwi, 3 Kiwi Gloria, and 3 Debra’s Kiwi,
he also won the Bronze medal with 3 Kenora Challenger.
Next the Furness Seedling Show and Ian Sutherland won the Silver Medal with 3
Kenora Challenger, 3 Pims Moonlight, 3 Kiwi Gloria,
the Bronze Medal to Bryan Warriner with 3 Malvern Martha, 3 Eastwood Moonlight.
Back up the Lakes to Penrith and Les Jackson from Carlisle won best in show
with 3 unnamed seedlings.
Next to Westmorland Show and J R Gott won Silver Medal with 5 Vino, 5 Willo’s
Violet. Next we have the North Western Dahlia Show at Kendal the best in show
and the Silver Medal went to Doug Fishwick with 3 Daleko Jupiter
Bronze Medal to Graham McFarland with 3 -3 -3 ?
If I Have Missed any shows off it is not my fault I only send in to the N D S
the results I receive, Thank You.
J R Gott
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I would like to congratulate Alan Barlow for his successes at Shepton Mallet
and Harrogate and Ian Sutherland for his successes at Shepton Mallet.
Thank you Jack for this report
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North West Annual Dahlia Show
Why has nobody bothered to write a piece on our own annual show, look through
this news letter, look at the peoples names that have contributed to it, and yes
you will find that they are the few that contributed in the last news letter.
Writing a newsletter is not that easy, especially when they are your own
thoughts and ideas, they get stale and boring.
I thank the lads that at least
have sent me something different, it’s the variation that keeps the newsletter
interesting so come on get your thinking heads on for 2002.
Ok I’ve had my
whinge I have only this page to complete and our news letter is complete, and
hopefully you will get it before Christmas! So back to the show as to what I can
remember about it.
It was a cracking show top marks to all that were involved in
this one as you have come to expect from our members a quality show of the
highest of standards, and again this came from the two judges, Don Kershaw from Rossendale and John Horner from Burnley, Lancashire.
Andrew Robinson and I
stewarded on the day and judging tips were well appreciated, I’m quite sure we
all thank them for doing such a superb job for us.
The putting up of the show
went like clockwork full credit going to sergeant major John Smith.
Graham McFarland won the championship class, best exhibit in show went to Doug Fishwick
with a giant.
Best vase of Decoratives went to Barry Kenyon, which
earned him the Birmingham Bronze medal.
The most points in show went to Jack Gott who again
blitzed the show with entries,
David graced the sports section with his new
sport off Jomanda “Mary’s Jomanda”.
I’m sorry the varieties used to win the
major awards fail my memory, I’m sorry I can not be expected to remember
everything! On the last day of the show we had plenty of helpers who done a fine
job,
Jimmy Heginbottom went up into the main road to sell the dahlias and made a
lot of people very happy people, doing a fine job as per usual, well done Jimmy.
All sorted I took the tables back to Milnthorpe for another annual show put
away, until the next time.
Incidentally I have been working on a website along
with my son in law Mark, who has a computer business in Barrow, it has a open
forum at the moment, in the hope to get dahlia talk and conversation going among
dahlia folk and gardeners alike, the site address is
< dahliasonline.co.uk > dahliasonline is in small case letters and all one continuous word, it also
carries my new email address simply add jim@ in front the site address, hope to
hear from you,
John Smith and Jack Gott have, Jack as you know is doing
fantastic work on our behalf with his site < north-west-dahlias.co.uk > an idea was
given by Andy Jamison for the newsletter, and that is each member submit if they
were to be marooned on a desert island “what three plants would you take with
you” and they don’t necessarily have to be dahlias?
So you have a full year to get your heads around this one, it different, it gets
(hopefully) every member involved, only you can make this article a success, any
committee member will pass on your entry to me, there will be prize awarded for
the best entry, good luck.
Jimmy Jones
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West Dahlia Society 34th Annual Show Results Sunday 9th
September 2001
Class 1. Championship class James Webb Trophy Graham
McFarland
Class 4. 2 Vases of Medium Decoratives Gordon Gasgarth Memorial Trophy
Stan Rylands
Class 5. 2 Vases of Medium semi cactus Morcambe Corporation Trophy Andrew
Robinson
Class 6. Mrs Hallherd
Trophy
No Entry
Class 7. 3 Vases of Small Cactus or Semi Mrs Fred Currie
Cup Roy Barlow
Class 8. 3 Vases of Pompons Friendship Trophy
Bryan Warriner
Class 9. 2 Vases of Miniature Decoratives F T Currie
Cup Phil Nutthall
Class 10. 2 Vases of Small or Mini Ball Bill Ronson
Trophy Jack Gott
Class 26. 1 Vases of Ball Dahlias Gough
Cup Dave Woodhouse
Class 28. 1Vases of Pompons Dahlias
Eric Lund Trophy
Bryan Warriner
Class 30. 1 Vases of Waterliles Dahlias Thomas Armstrong
Cup Jack Gott
Class 33. 1 Vases of Bi-colour Dahlias Thomas Armstrong Cup
Jack Gott
Class 44. 3 Blooms of Size And Classification
Milnthorpe R B L Trophy Graham McFarland
Best Small Bloom in Novice Section [not Ball ] C Boswell Trophy No
Entry
Best Exhibit in Show
Presidents Cup Doug Fishwick
Best Vases of Pompons Dixon
Trophy Bryan Warriner
Best Exhibit in Novices Teal
Trophy No Entry
Most Points in Members Sections Southwell
Trophy Jack Gott
Best Exhibit by Furness Member Cheethamhill
Cup Phil Nuttall
Best Giant in Show
Barbara Nelson Trophy Doug Fishwick
Best Vases of Small Decoratives Birmingham Bronze Medal
Barry Kenyon
Best Vases of Mediums in Members Sec Fullard Memorial Trophy Dave
Woodhouse
Best Exhibit in Show North Lancs & Westmorland Federation Blue Ribbon Doug
Fishwick
Best Exhibit in Show NDS
Silver Medal Doug
Fishwick
2nd Best Exhibit in Show NDS Bronze
Medal Phil Nutthall
Floral
Art Jimmy
Heginbottom
Childrens
Trophy Linda
Woodhouse
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First Second Third
Forth
Class 1. G MacFarland B Warriner I
Greenhalgh B Warriner
Class 2. A Fryer
Class 3. D Fishwick
Class 4. S Rylands
Class 5. A Robinson
Class 6. No Entries
Class 7. R Barlow J Gott
Class 8. B Warriner
B Warriner
J Gott
Class 9. P Nutthall J Gott
Class10. J Gott
S Rylands
G Towler
Class11. R Barlow
Class12. No Entries
Class13. No Entries
Class14. D Fishwick
Class15. A Fryer D
Fishwick
Class16. D Fishwick
Class17. No Entry
Class18. D Woodhouse
I Greenhalgh
S Rylands
Class19. J Heginbottom D
Woodhouse
Class20. J Heginbottom G
MacFarland
D Woodhouse
Class21. B Kenyon
B Warriner
M Walsh
Class22. P Nuttall
P Nuttall
R Barlow
Class23. R Barlow
I Greenhalgh
G Towler
Class24. B Kenyon
R Barlow B Kenyon
Class25. J Gott
Class26. D Woodhouse
M Walsh J
Gott
Class27. D Houghton
B Kenyon
J Gott
Class28. B Warriner
J Heginbottom J
Heginbottom
Class29. J Gott J Heginbottom
Class30. J Gott
J Gott I Greenhalgh
Class31. D Houghton
B Warriner
F Rylands
Class32. J Heginbottom J Gott
Class33. J Gott
W Gott
Class34. No Entries
Class35. J Gott
I Greenhalgh
Class36. J Gott
Class37. J Gott
Class38. No Entry
Class39. No Entry
Class40. No Entry
Class41. No Entry
Class42. No Entries
Class43. No Entries
Class44. G MacFarland
B Warriner
J Heginbottom P Nuttall
Class45. Linda Woodhouse
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2nd in Basket Harrogate show 2001
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Harrogate show 2001
Another successful show was had at the Great Yorkshire showground this year, 148
exhibitors recorded, 125 officially entered.
My entry place cards box was jammed
packed with a record entry, the dahlia exhibitors decided to come early this
year and before my very eyes I couldn’t believe that there was a show going up
early evening infact for the first time had to cancel late entries at 11 o’
clock looking at what was already staged was a half decent show and what was to
go up and the remaining exhibitors to come gave me goose bumps! And I think my
actions was justified, in the morning the show benches were full up with little
space left, a dahlia show fit for a king.
The show blooms was to the highest
quality as per usual, from the giants right down to the poms, and that is were I
will start with the Northwest successes.
For the second time in succession the
variety Rhonda has been awarded best vase in show, and I’m quite sure all the
society members will congratulate our very own Alan Barlow on this fantastic
prize award “The Best Vase in Show”.
No show without punch brother Roy Barlow
won the “A K Grayson” challenge cup staving off creditable opposition, requiring
four varieties of cactus twenty blooms in all, he also came third in a special
class for small cactus, plus other placing throughout the show.
In the “Norman
Williams” challenge cup all the prizes went to Northwest members first place to
Alan Barlow from this exhibit he also won the “Crossfield Trophy” best poms
exhibit in show, also the runner up to the best poms in show, second prize went
to Bryan Warriner who has been having a with the Poms the last year or two, and
it is no surprise he as had his successes, particularly with his new sport
Lakeland Polly? which was included in his exhibit, third went to Stewart Clensey
who is no slouch in this class, well done to all.
In the “Lancaster Trophy”
which requires two vases of small cactus, two vases of Decoratives, and two
vases of poms, it was that man again Alan Barlow, coming second was Ronnie
Rimmer another renown good grower.
Phil Nuttall came third in the “Alan Dunlop”
Trophy class requiring three vases of miniature decoratives, also got a first in
the medium Decorative class.
Ian Sutherland won a special class requiring two
vases of mediums, one of Semi cactus, one of Decoratives, he also won the small
cactus special class with Frank Taylor coming second, not seeing the last of Ian
got a first with a vase of large semi cactus.
The society got another 1st Phil Nutthall, 2nd, Ian Sutherland 3rd Barry Smith, in the small cactus class.
In the
sports class “up to smalls” well done to David Houghton who exhibited with
Mary’s Jomanda, a colourful ball dahlia, winning that class, this looks like to
be a well sort after variety for 2002.
Barry Smith came runner up to the Donald
Campbell” which is the award to the most meritorious exhibit in section C.
Jack
Gott came first with two vases of waterlily Dahlias, also came second in the
bowl class.
In the millennium class, known as the six by four, the Northwest
came second to Timperley, and I guess there was the usual friendly digs going in
during staging! Andy Jamison got a second and Stewart Clensey came third in the
miniature cactus class.
Don Mosley came second in the six giant decoratives
class, there were numerous other place awards within the names mentioned, well
done to you all.
It is a great pleasure to include Mike Boswell, who entered
this years novice classes, he got a first with his Medium Decoratives, a second
in the cactus class, a second in the giant class, and a third in the ball class,
and I can tell you commendable remarks were made on the quality of his blooms by
other exhibitors and judges alike, so keep up the good work Mike you have done
yourself proud.
I think that the flag flown on behalf of the Northwest members
at Harrogate speaks for it’s self by the results that have been recorded,
congratulations to all that took part, no matter how big or small that part may
have been, give yourself a pat on the back for a fantastic show. All that
remains for me to say is thank you for supporting Harrogate and making it
spectacular show, hope to see you all again around the circuit in the coming
season, have a good growing season.
By Jimmy Jones
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Halls of Heddon 2001
In late September the society ran a cracking trip out to the dahlia fields of
Stan Halls nursery in the picturesque Heddon on the Wall, near Newcastle,
the
trip turned out to be perfectly timed to see the majority of the dahlia rows in
full bloom.
An early start in the mini bus kindly driven by Jimmy Jones,
meant
that even with a few pickups along the way, the dahlia lads were heading up to
Carlisle by 9.30 am.
The journey from Carlisle to the nursery took in some
beautiful views of the autumn countryside on route and coffee was taken near the
nursery at 11.30am.
The minibus then parked up at the nursery and a good couple
of hours were spent browsing through row upon row of every classification of
dahlia, all grown unprotected outside.
The benefit of seeing the dahlias outside
was that we could assess how the newer varieties stood up to the northern
weather.
The fields made up a kaleidoscope of colour and showed how effective
the dahlias are for late summer displays.
We chatted with Stan Hall who had
clearly had word back from his staff that distinguished Cumbrian guests were on
the nursery so he attended personally!
Mid afternoon saw us driving to the local
hostelry the “Three Tuns” where its fair to say we ate a splendid meal of fish
and chips which came in such large portions that nobody could even consider
tackling the desert menu.
Back for another hour or so around the nursery (to
check we hadn’t missed any potential world beaters) and then the lads set off
towards home stopping at a farm produce shop selling just about everything from
fresh berries to rare cheeses.
Unfortunately the coffee shop looked far too good
to miss with its homemade cakes, so we did the decent thing and tried the lot
and then set off back to the lakes.
All agreed it had been a great day out.
As
for the dahlias, the following varieties were picked as favourites;
Jimmy Jones: Went for Mary’s Jomanda, a deep pink sport, every bit as good as the
parent, to be released by Halls in 2002.
George Towler: (and he was not alone)
was taken with how well Wooton Impact had stood up to the weather, and its
strong potential to give a good vase of flowers even when grown outside.
Jimmy
Heginbottom: Liked the good form and show winning potential of Kilmorie, a pale yellow
with a darker flush of small semi cactus form, again for sole release by Halls
in 2002.
John Smith: Went for the pale pink collarette Teesbrook Audrey, which
showed great health and an abundance of clean blooms for show work.
Ian Greenhalgh: Went for Kenora Superb, an orange and yellow giant semi cactus
that certainly on the form it showed at the nursery, has the makings of giving
the Jupiter’s a run for their money.
Those who had the benefit of enjoying the trip out all believed it would be
highly recommended to try and repeat the trip next year as the day satisfied our
mutual love of the dahlia and was also a social occasion befitting of the
friendliness of the society.
By: Ian Greenhalgh
**************************************************************
John Whalley the family man
John the eldest of four brothers was born and brought up in Hurst Green by
his parents Richard and Mary.
From little he told me of his childhood that although times were hard as
they were for most people in the forties and fifties he and his brothers lacked
for none of the essentials in life. His parents giving him values and principles
that anybody who knew him stayed with him the rest of his life.
He used to tell of the many days spent with friends and family playing in
the fields and woods, down at the river or exploring old farm buildings and like
young boys do.
His boisterous good humour and sense of fun already strong with him.
He seemed to particularly remember the large plates of good wholesome food
provived by his mother good food something of an interest all his life!! It
always sounded an idyllic upbringing in more one recent time than today and I
know that John remembered his childhood with great happiness.
After leaving Ribbledale School in Clitheroe he became a mechanic and served his
apprenticeship working at a garage in Longridge.
John moved on to Wellgate motors in Clitheroe and during his time working there
he was to meet Brenda who was to become his wife.
He more than once told me of his attempts to woo Brenda who initially spurned
his advances in no uncertain terms but john was not the kind of man to give up
easily.
Infact he was a strong trait of Johns he was a persistent never say die sort of
character always confident in his own ability and for all our sakes it’s a good
job he was.
Shortly after their marriage John started lorry driving going all
over the country, he told stories of the old wagons and how slow they were and
the terrific noise to be endured in the cab.
Long hours and many nights away, hard work in anybodies book.
This capacity for hard work and long hours was never to leave john right
up to his death. The first proper was in Queens drive and by the time john and
Brenda moved here they had the first of the children Margaret and at regular
intervals followed more babies, next John then Pamela on to Lisa and finally
charlotte who was born while the family lived in Isabella street.
He always said to me that he must have been in his forties before he
realised how Brenda becoming pregnant, as all he had to do was to come home
after three or four nights away in the wagon throw his pants on the end of the
bed and – bingo – a baby!! I can’t over emphasise johns love for his children
and the wife who provided them.
Everything he did revolved around his family.
He wanted to show them to the world and give them all he had, which he always
did.
One story comes to mind of setting off on holiday – Scarborough maybe or north
Wales, no not Dad a tow hitch fitted to a mini, a trailer tent obtained and off
to Yugoslavia we go, driving all the way.
Mum Dad Margaret young John and Pamela.
That was John nothing fazed him. The long drive and pants on the bed must have
come into play again as Brenda was expecting Lisa on arrival home a yet another
wonderful time had been had by all.
In his business for himself repairing vehicles and respraying them, this
in hind sight was a bad thing for his health as he didn’t have any protection
from the fumes and dust and over the period of time he developed severe asthma
which was trouble him the rest of his life. Smoking Capstan full strength only
accentuated the problem as he willingly acknowledged. He diversified into long
distance driving again but now his own account and the family moved to chipping.
I can only speak as I found but I think this village was the place where he felt
most contented in his surroundings. He loved everything about Chipping and the
people who welcome you warmly when you move in.
after moving to Chipping the family noticed a strange change- dad got it
bad, gardening. Now this from a man who kept a garden in Queens Drive in which
the kids played Dr Livingston I presume a jungle of a place.
Gardening became a passion some may say a obsession infact the evening before
his death he had been at Ribchester to listen to a lady give a talk on gardening
and he sponged up every bit of knowledge he could at all times.
A small piece of land behind the house was purchased to extend the garden
up at Kirkfield, a plot down behind Stanley court rented.
Flowers by the thousand grown an occasional small area of fruit bushes or
vegetables as well.
But the thousands of hours in the garden or on the plot gave him great joy.
He started to show his flowers, and Brenda made wonderful arrangements with
john’s flowers to show as well. Many prizes have been won and of these
achievements he was proud.
He joined the committee of the local horticulture shows where no doubt fellow
committee members can tell of his strong opinions voiced in no uncertain terms.
That was john – to cliché “a spades a spade” and he was no worse for that.
No lingering rancour’s or sulks here. No matter what may have been said it was
not dwelt on.
If he was your friend you knew he was a friend for life and could be
relied on at all times. A jovial host whose door was open to all, many of john’s
and Brenda’s friends have spent happy hours eating, drinking and spending time
with them.
Although gardening was an all consuming passion it came a poor second to
his love and passion for his family.
His wife, their children and their grandchildren. Margaret and Norman and
their sons Jacob, Joshua and Sebastian.
Young John and his daughter Chloe.
Pam myself and our children Scott Emma and Lisa and Stuart with Nathan and
Katie and Charlotte and Peter who are expecting twins.
He was immensely proud of us all and frequently told anybody who would listen
so.
A large family who he wanted surrounding him at all times, never happier than
when he was with us all be it one of the weddings, a christening at Sunday
lunch, on holiday or just a bit of a do.
On excuse ever be needed we all willingly want to be with him, Brenda, and
the rest of the family, that is a testament to John the man he was.
He once said to me that he had never had any great amount of money and was not
likely ever to have any great amount in the future but that did not matter
because he already was the richest man in the world due to the love and
happiness his wife and children and grandchildren gave him. And so we will all
remember him as the best husband, dad, and granddad anybody could wish for, and
for that we are truly grateful.
Rest in peace John
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Ambleside
The society had another good year at the Ambleside show by winning a gold medal
certificate with a very good display despite being short of small decoratives
and miniature ball type. Thanks once more to Jack and
Jimmy for staging most of
the bowls. The show president told me at Ingleton that some 10,000 people had
visited the Ambleside show, we had many admirers at our display with much
information being asked about lifting, storing, propagation, and planting out.
Also on different types and forms and going away quite pleased with what they
had been told, after the show £11.00 was made on the sale of flowers to help
boost society funds.
George Towler.
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Society trip to Halls of Heddon.
All the shows out of the way it was decided we should hire a minibus and head up
to halls to see what dahlia we could view, it was unfortunate that only a few
members turned up owing to work commitments holidays and one thing and another.
Nether the less a few of us met up at Endmoor and set off on our journey with
bags of room to spare, it was a bit of damp day but spirits were high, as we
headed nearer our destination the weather seemed to get a little bit better! Or
was I living in hope? Just before we reached Halls we frequented the inn called
the Three Tuns where John recalls having a hearty meal.
They weren’t quite ready
for us and our appetites so we had a little liquid refreshment while we ordered
our meals, then set on our way to Halls.
On arrival to the nursery which was
only about a mile down the road we drove onto a nicely laid out gravel car park
the nursery shop adjoining, we swung the bus around to park up with the dahlia
plants in full view, and plenty of colour to be seen still at this late date.
We
didn’t waste any time and waded straight into them, all the dahlias as expected
were laid out into their own beds, giants with giants and so on.
They also had a
trials plot which drew a lot of interest, with a fair amount of new varieties,
the one that stuck out to me was the one I had already seen at Harrogate “Mary’s Jomanda” it’s colour and form stuck out like a sore thumb, but we all had our
opinions and favourites, so many to choose from.
On the main plot we bumped into
Stan Hall who I introduced the lads, we had a bit conversation on the past
season and the usual dahlia banter, then had to let him on his way as he was
going away on holiday the following day.
We got stuck in to the main plot going
through the varieties and classes that we see on the show bench, and I can tell
you it’s great to see them growing naturally the way they are, tall growing, low
growing, how many grown up on the plant to get that size, it was all there to
see.
Considering the day which through down the occasional shower there was some
quality blooms to be seen, one that comes to mind was a giant, “Kenora Superb”
although grown outside was clean and to size. Another that was brought to our
attention by Ian Greenhalgh was Wooton impact a nice bed of them, but what was
interesting about these beauties was there was a definite three blooms clean as
a whistle, of good form, and would grace any exhibition table, and probably pick
up a prize card.
It was time for our meal so to the Tree Tuns for our lunch, and
very nice it was to! All stuffed we decided another visit to Halls was in order
to recap on anything we had missed, as you would expect a visit into the nursery
cost us a bob or two, bags of winter bulbs were on offer and the likes.
One last
look around the dahlia beds and another wetting we decided enough was enough, it
had been a great day out and enjoyed by all.
But that was not the end, on the
way we had spotted a farm type shop that were advertising pick your own fruit,
so we pulled in and settled down to some home made cakes tea and coffee,
refreshed once more we bought our goodies and fruit and went on our way back
home, all agreed it was well worth the trip declaring it a annual day out with
perhaps little bit more support.
This years venue to be ironed out
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The web is worldwide viewing
Congratulations to Jack on his success with his website, I can tell you it is
worth a regular visit.
Packed with interesting information on our number one
flower the dahlia and lots more.
The points of interest on the front page with
all the dates are there to be found with regular updates as the season
progresses.
So when you mislay your newsletter or important dates, just get on
line and get all the updates you need.
And don’t just stop there, while you are
on line why not take part in in the website and send Jack an Email it’s as easy
as sending a letter, this is one way you can get involved with the society and
get to know what's going on, what new developments have occurred and much more.
There is a list of email addresses to other members so you can even get in touch
with them. It don’t stop there, as the heading suggests the web is world wide,
there are links to other dahlia society websites and dahlia nurseries as well,
with price lists and illustrations if you wish, who knows you might find that
dahlia of yesteryear! So come on get involved.
Jack is asking for fresh ideas to
improve the site, so give it a visit and let us build a better website together.
My last word on this topic is if you haven’t got a computer go out and get one,
spend a little bit of money, you can’t take it with you into the next dahlia
world.
BY Jimmy Jones.
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“A last minute addition”
Many thanks to Bryan Warriner who gave all proceeds from his new sport Lakeland
Polly to the Society fund raising.
Jimmy Jones
