About 200 people crowded into Wick Assembly Rooms on Friday evening to enjoy the floral and vegetable displays, and a new craft section which helped maintain entries.

The future had earlier looked grim for the event, which has been struggling in recent years, but society treasurer Lorna Ross was delighted with the turnout which, she said, would stand them in good stead financially for next year's show.

Speaking this week she said that a combination of factors had proved successful – switching the show from its traditional Saturday slot to a Friday night, the introduction of the craft section and the last-ditch plea to the public. Fine weather was an added bonus.

Mrs Ross stressed that the show must go on and she invited everyone concerned to make the horticultural event "a must" every year. She made a special plea to vegetable growers, in particular, to stage a comeback and said: "That section badly needs a boost, so see what you can do."

She added that new volunteers for the organising committee would be made welcome.

The trophies were handed over by the society's chairwoman, Isobel Gates.

Results – Pot plants – One begonia double tuberous: 1, 2, 3, Margaret Clyne. One begonia multiflora: 1, C. Lyall; 2, Carol Martin; 3, Christine Lyall. One orchid: 1, M. Mathieson; 2, M. Stephen; 3, M. Sutherland. One standard fuchsia: M. Mathieson. One bush fuchsia: 1, M. Mathieson; 2, A. Wares; 3, M. Ewing.

One streptocarpus: 1, 2, C. Lyall; 3, J. Coghill. One regal pelargonium: 1, 2, 3, A. Wares. One zonal pelargonium: 1, 2, M. Stephen; 3, M. Mathieson. One flowering pot plant (excluding classes 1-8): 1, C. Lyall; 2, C. Martin; 3, M. Stephen. One foliage pot plant or fern: 1, C. Lyall; 2, M. Ewing; 3, C. Lyall. One hanging basket: 1, C. Lyall; 2, M. Mathieson. One outdoor tub or container: 1, K. Harper; 2, M. Sutherland; 3, J. Coghill. One cactus: 1, 3 M. Stephen; 2, C. Lyall. One succulent: 1, 2, 3, C. Lyall.

Cut flowers – One vase nemesia: 1, 2, Kevin Sutherland; 3, Carol Martin. Four fuchsias mounted on a board: 1, K. Sutherland; 2, M. Ewing; 3, C. Martin. Three dahlias, cactus: 1, 2, C. Martin. Three dahlias, any other variety: 1, Alistair Wares; 2, 3, K. Sutherland. Six sweet peas: 1, K. Sutherland; 2, A. Belton; 3, J. Coghill. One stem of lilies: 1, M. Mathieson; 2, C. Martin; 3, A. Atkins.

Three spikes of gladioli: K. Sutherland. One hybrid tea rose: 1, K. Sutherland; 2, M. Finlayson; 3, W. Yolland. Three sprays of roses, floribunda: 1, 2, K. Sutherland; 3, A. Belton. Three perfumed roses: 1, Z. Ross; 2, K. Sutherland; 3, M. Ewing. Four pansies: 1, 2, K. Sutherland. Four violas: 1, 2, 3, K. Sutherland.

One container of mixed herbaceous perennial: 1, K. Sutherland; 2, J. Coghill; 3, C. Martin. One vase astilbe: 1, K. Sutherland; 2, E. Finlayson; 3, J. Coghill. One vase of six mixed annuals (one stem of each): 1, K. Sutherland; 2, C. Martin; 3, J. Coghill. Four asters, double: K. Sutherland. Four African marigolds: E. Finlayson. Four French marigolds: 1, 3, K. Sutherland; 2, M. Mathieson. Four Scotch marigolds: 1, M. Mathieson; 2, K. Sutherland; 3, D. Ross.

Three sprays of chrysanthemums: K. Sutherland. One vase godetia: K. Sutherland. Three blooms of border carnations: 1, K. Sutherland; 2, A. Belton; 3, K. Sutherland.

Vegetables – Four shallots: Don Manson. Three carrots: D. Manson. Three beetroot: D. Manson. Six pods of peas: 1, D. Manson; 2, B. Belton. Four tomatoes: 1, R. McKay; 2, S. McKay; 3, K. Sutherland. Four potatoes, same variety: 1, 2, 3, D. Manson. Three leeks: I. Macallan. One cabbage: James Bremner. One lettuce: J. Bremner. Three stalks of rhubarb: E. Finlayson.

Pot of parsley: 1, 2, 3, K. Sutherland. Collection of six varieties shown in box: D. Manson. Any variety of fruit: 1, D. Manson; 2, B. Belton; 3, D. Ross. Exhibit of any veg other than above: 1, Carol Martin; 2, Don Manson.

Floral art – Special theme, Freedom of Caithness: Fiona Gunn. Beachcomber: 1, Joanna Coghill; 2, Marion Gordon; 3, Amanda Coghill. One-flower arrangement: 1, M. Gordon; 2, K. Harper; 3, A. Coghill. Table centre arrangement: 1, J. Coghill; 2, A. Coghill; 3, K. Harper. Flowers cut from my garden: 1, J. Coghill; 2, Carol Martin; 3, M. Gordon.

Crafts – Patchwork table mat: 1, 3, Anne Belton; 2, Margaret Harness. Celebration card: 1, Helen Budge; 2, 3, Rita Hawthorn. Article using 100g dk yarn: 1, Sandra Smith; 2, A. Belton; Maggie Sutherland. Framed cross-stitch picture (not exceeding 10" x 8"): 1, Mary Miller; 2, A. Belton; 3, Maggie Sutherland. Framed landscape photograph (not exceeding 10" x 8"): 1, Irene Farquhar; 2, Lorna Ross; 3, M. Gordon.

Produce – One jar of jam: 1, E. Hendry; 2, Mrs Williamson; 3, Avril Ross. One jar of jelly: 1, K. Harper. One jar of marmalade: 1, 2, Mrs Williamson.One jar of lemon curd: 1, Mrs Williamson; 2, Zena Ross. One jar of chutney: 1, Z. Ross; 2, E. Hendry.

Baking – Four pancakes: 1, I. Gates; 2, M. McKenzie; 3, Mrs Williamson. Four scones: 1, M. Ewing; 2, I. Gates; 3, M. McKenzie. Four pieces of shortbread: 1, Miss Williamson; 2, Mrs Williamson; 3, I. Gates. Victoria sponge (single): 1, Z.Ross; 2, A. Ross; 3, Wendy Yolland. Fruit loaf: 1, C. Martin; 2, Marjorie Mackenzie; 3, I. Gates.

Juniors – Miniature garden: 1, Isla Farquhar. Monster using fruit or veg 1, I. Farquhar; 2, Katie Gunn; 3, Robbie Gunn. Picture of your garden: 1, 2, Kara Sutherland; 3, Katie Coghill. A decorated flower pot: 1, I. Farquhar; 2, Graeme Sutherland; 3, K. Sutherland. Posy of garden flowers: 1, G. Sutherland; 2, K. Sutherland; 3, I. Farquhar.

Trophies – Bill Reid Shield, best exhibit in box of vegetables: Don Manson. Field of Noss Plate, winner of class 11, section 2: Kevin Sutherland. Wick Town Improvements Cup, best exhibit in class 11 or 12 section 1 (restricted to the Royal Burgh of Wick): Kathleen Harper.

William McAllan Cup, a special theme in floral art, class 1, section 4: Fiona Gunn. D.M. Sutherland Cup, best pot plant in show: M. Mathieson. John O'Groat Journal Cup, best exhibit in cut flowers: Kevin Sutherland. Phillips Memorial Cup, best exhibit in vegetables: Don Manson.

C. More Trophy, best exhibit in floral art: Joanna Coghill. Sutherland Bros Shield, most points in children's section: Best girl, Isla Farquhar; best boy, Graeme Sutherland. Alliance & Leicester Building Society Bowl, most points in pot plants: Christine Lyall.

Society Rose Bowl, most points in cut flowers: Kevin Sutherland. Town & County Cup, most points in baking and produce: Mrs Williamson. Richard's Garage Cup, most points in floral art: Joanna Coghill. N.D. Sutherland Cup, most points in fruit and veg: Don Manson. Nethercliffe Hotel Cup, best exhibit in show: M. Mathieson. Quatercentenary Rose Bowl, most points in show (restricted to the Royal Burgh of Wick): Kevin Sutherland. Wick Garden Centre Cup, most points in show: Kevin Sutherland.

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