New names at Reay Garden Club annual show despite drop in entries after wet summer

The Reay and District Garden Club’s Annual Show held in Reay Village Hall on Saturday was well supported with a colourful array of plants, flowers, fruit and vegetables – together with tables of mouth-watering baking and produce which made an attractive welcome for the judges in the morning and for those who came along in the afternoon.

Mrs Cathy Sutherland judged the floral arrangements and the children’s exhibits. Mrs Liz Macdonald judged the produce and baking, Mr James Macdonald and Mr Sinclair Manson were the judges for the pot plants, cut flowers and vegetables.

The overall number of entries was the lowest since electronic records began in 1990, possibly due to the weather this summer combined with the absence of a number of regular contributors being away at this time.

Entries in the cut flower section were very low, no doubt affected by the few days of wet and windy weather earlier in the week. It is still very encouraging to see some new names on the entry labels in all sections and many new faces coming along during the afternoon to enjoy the occasion.

Reay Primary School pupils had worked hard to produce artwork to enhance the show atmosphere. A stunning artistic display of “Watering Cans” (Primary 1-4), and “Fruit on a Plate” (Primary 5-7) together with the contribution from the Early Learning Centre children, “Butterflies”, added greatly to the atmosphere of the show.

Refreshments were again served within an area of the main hall and provided an opportunity for everyone to rest their weary feet and chat about the weather and the wonders of the exhibits!

The trophies were presented by Mrs Eileen Sutherland, whose father, Jimmy Gunn, was a founder member of Reay and District Garden Club in 1977.

Reay and District Garden Club meets on the first Wednesday of the month in Reay Village Hall, with a varied programme of illustrated talks, discussions and social events throughout the year.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 4, and the topic will be “After the show and the way forward”. New members and friends are always welcome. More information can be found on Facebook – Reay & District Gardening Club.

2024 Reay Annual Garden Show Results

Pot plants

One begonia: 1. Y Morris

One cactus: 1. R Shallcross; 2. S Harrison;

One succulent: 1. S Harrison;

One pot plant, flowering: 1.Y Morris; 2. M Ross

One pot plant, foliage: 1. S Harrison; 2. K Rollings

Three pot plants: 1. S Harrison.

Patio container: 1. S Harrison.

Cut flowers

Three dahlias (large/medium): 1. K Crocket.

Three dahlias (miniature): 1. Y Morris.

Six sweet peas: 1. R Shallcross; 2. Y Morris.

One gladioli: No entries.

One rose: 1. J Bannerman; 2. Y Morris; 3. H Wilson.

Three sprays roses: No entries.

One begonia bloom: No entries.

Six pansies: No entries.

Six pinks: No entries.

Four marigolds (calendula): 1. Y Morris; 2. K Crocket; 3. D Wakeford.

Four marigolds (French): 1. Y Morris.

Six perennials: 1. Yvonne Morris; 2. K Crocket.

Six annuals: No entries.

Six annuals, same variety: 1. K Crocket; 2. Y Morris.

Six perennials, same variety: 1. Y Morris; 2. S Harrison; 3. K Crocket.

Three flowering shrubs, variety: No entries.

Vegetables

Four shallots: 1. J Coghill.

Three onions: 1. K Crocket; 2. R Buchanan; 3. G Munro.

Three carrots, long: 1. G Munro; 2. R Buchanan; 3. D Buchanan.

Three carrots, stump: 1. K Crocket.

Two beetroot: 1. G Munro; 2. K Crocket; 3. J Coghill.

Two parsnips: No entries.

Two turnips: 1. K Crocket.

Six pods peas: 1. K Crocket; 2. H Wilson.

Six pods broad beans: 1. J Coghill; 2. K Crocket.

Four tomatoes, large: 1. J Owen.

Six tomatoes small: 1. Y Morris; 2. J Owen.

Three potatoes, round: 1. Kirsty Crocket; 2. E Sutherland; 3. Y Morris.

Three potatoes, long: 1. G Munro; 2. K Crocket; 3. Y Morris.

Three leeks: No entries.

One lettuce: No entries.

Any other vegetable: 1. H Wilson; 2. J Coghill; 3. K Crocket.

Plate of soft fruit: 1. J Owen.

Plate of top fruit: 1. H Wilson; 2. J Bannerman; 3. J Owen.

Collection of six vegetables: No entries.

Wonky vegetable: 1. K Crocket.

Floral arrangements

“Spaceport”: 1. Yvonne Morris; 2. Evelyn Mowat.

Fresh foliage arrangement: 1. Emily Sutherland; 2. Evelyn Mowat; 3. Yvonne Morris.

Unusual object: 1. Emily Sutherland; 2. Yvonne Morris; 3. Kirsty Crocket.

Arrangement in a box: 1. Isla Sutherland; 2. Freya Innes; 3. Rebekah Tunn.

School children

“Space Aliens” made from fruit/vegetables: 1. Isla Sutherland; 2. Cameron Morris; 3. Hughie Tunn.

Produce

Rhubarb jam: 1. A Mackay.

Blackcurrant jam: 1. J Bannerman; 2. J Owen; 3. A Mackay.

Raspberry jam: 1. J Owen; 2. Y Morris; 3. J Bannerman.

Strawberry jam: 1. A Mackay; 2. Y Morris; 3. J Bannerman.

Gooseberry jam: 1. A Mackay.

Lemon curd: 1. C Buxton; 2. A Mackay; 3. Y Morris.

Marmalade: 1. A Mackay; 2. J Coghill.

Jelly, any kind: 1. A Mackay; 2. J Owen.

Chutney: 1. A Mackay; 2. P Scullion; 3. A Walker.

Baking

Lemon drizzle cake: 1. Y Morris; 2. A Walker; 3. R Buchanan.

Four cheese scones: 1. L Innes; 2. Y Morris; 3. A Walker.

Savoury quiche: 1. A Walker; 2. L Innes; 3. R Leavesly.

Four vol au vents: 1. R Leavesley; 2. A Mackay: 3. A Walker.

Four millionaire shortbread: 1. E Sutherland; 2. L Innes; 3. R Leavesley.

Children’s baking

School children:

Gingerbread spaceperson: 1. Cameron Morris; 2. Lauren Tunn; 3.Hughie Tunn.

Four jam tarts: 1. Hughie Tunn; 2. Lauren Tunn; 3. Isla Sutherland.

Pre-school children:

A decorated planet biscuit: 1. Isla Sutherland.

Two chocolate crispies: 1. Isla Sutherland.

Children’s art exhibits

P1-4: “Watering Cans”: 1. Rowan Bloodworth; 2. Artemis Kieran; 3. Morven Munro.

P5-7: “Fruit on a Plate”: 1. Alexander Macleod; 2. Harison Hodgson; 3. James Pottinger.

Pre-school: “Butterflies”: 1. Owen Mackay; 2. James Calder; 3. Jorgie Rae.

Trophy winners:

Anniversary Shield for the most points in horticultural sections nos. 1, 2 and 3: Kirsty Crocket.

Reay Garden Association Cup for the Reay Garden Club member with the most points in section nos. 1, 2 and 3: Kirsty Crocket.

Grace Hay Memorial Rose Bowl for the best exhibit in sections Nos 1, 2 & 3 (globe artichoke): Hilary Wilson.

Bruce Gunn Challenge Cup for the most points in the vegetable section: Kirsty Crocket.

The Fivers Pot for the best exhibit in the vegetable section (globe artichoke): Hilary Wilson.

Fuller Adams Trophy for the winner in section 3 - class 18 (collection of vegetables): No entries.

The Leslie Morse Memorial Trophy for the best exhibit section 3 - class 8 (peas): Kirsty Crocket.

The Gibigill Shield for the most points in the floral arrangement section: Emily Sutherland.

The Sandside Trophy for the best exhibit in the floral arrangement section. – (spaceport): Yvonne Morris.

The Dowding Plate for the most points in the cut flower section: Yvonne Morris.

Alan Pilkington Challenge Cup for the best exhibit in the cut flower section (dahlias): Kirsty Crocket.

The James Gunn Memorial Trophy for the best rose: J Bannerman.

The Shallcross Challenge Cup for the most points in the pot plant section: Sheila Harrison.

The Thurso Shield for the best exhibit in the pot plant section (3 pot plants): Sheila Harrison.

The Mrs Pilkington Cup for the most points in the baking section: L Innes.

The Ian F Hay Memorial Trophy for the most points in the produce section: Annie Mackay.

Macpherson Cup for the best exhibit in the baking section (lemon drizzle cake): Yvonne Morris.

Catherine Potts Memorial Trophy for the best exhibit in the produce section (chutney): Annie Mackay.

Kintail Cup: Open to school children up to 13 years - section 5 (space aliens): Isla Sutherland.

School Children Baking Shield: Hughie Tunn.

Pre-School Children Baking Shield: Isla Sutherland.

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