Don Sutcliffe Lecture  With Slide's
Don Sutcliffe along with John Parkinson came to the Gatebeck Workingmen's club which was a nice pleasant surprise, I would have liked to see more people there, but it wasn’t to be. Don is well known for his wonderful slides and inside knowledge of Dahlia varieties and was a great bonus to all present. It’s no secret for his love for the giant varieties shone through, although not everybody's cup of tea seemed to hold the interest there because of his enthusiastic approach in that area. He has a particular interest in the giant decorative “Sir Alf Ramsay” reared by a good friend of his Peter Cleaver, which comes easily to size with a lovely colour to go with it. He tells us he has heard on the grapevine that it has sported white, although he doesn’t know where or who it has sported with, I am quite sure Don will keep his eyes open on that one. He then started going through the classes, in the large decorative class I fancied a variety called Danum Rhoda a orangey bronze, looks to have something going for it so I think I can spare a couple of holes for it. Going down into the mediums Trengrove Millennium looked to have good form but grows on the small side, needs pushing perhaps.
Into the small cactus Ruskin Myra came to the fore as the one perhaps to knock Kiwi Gloria off the top, I have seen this one growing and I did like it. Well we all know Don he went on and on showing slides and giving the crack, but I know by comments past by everybody enjoyed the evening and could have listened to him all night , but alas like all good things they must come to an end, and I speak for all! Went home happy and contented. Thanks Don and John for a very good nights entertainment,
John Parkinson also gave out some bags of Daffodil bulbs free to members present, which leads me on to our next lecture: John Parkinson on Daffodils hope to see you there to give John and the society the support it deserves. All the best for the coming season,