Spring Show 1 – Viewing the Spring Show. Photograph by Richard Pearce.

On Saturday 26^th April, Caterham & District Horticultural Society brought a splash of colour to Caterham with their Spring Show held at Hillcroft Primary School in Chaldon Road, Caterham-on-the-Hill. Six lucky winners secured silver trophies.

Show Secretary Robert Kelly ran the show. He said: “The show is an early celebration in the gardening year. It attracted entries from seasoned and new exhibitors alike. The range of late spring flowers on display highlights the warmer spring we have had in comparison to 2013.”

Highlights in the 43 show categories included the floral arrangements. Society Chairman, Debbie Fox retained the Johnston Cup for the best floral exhibit. Debbie said: “The early spring meant there were fewer daffodils and tulips on display. However, late spring shrubs were already in bloom.”

Caterham Valley Parish Council sponsored a category in the show. The 9^thCaterham Guides won the first prize for its table exhibit of handicrafts and flowers. The exhibit included over 25 hand-painted eggs. Runners-up 1^st Caterham Brownies made Easter crowns and included colourful pansies in their exhibit. Parish councillor Michael Lincoln presented the prizes. The prizes and winners were as follows:

1. The Spring Cup for the best exhibit (horticultural classes) in show – Mrs Kris Daniels.

2. F.G. Brind Cup for the most points in adult categories 7–19 (which included spring flowers and an exhibit of vegetables) – Mr Joe Perera.

3. The Rudd Cup for the winner of three vases, five stems in each, of distinct varieties of daffodils or narcissi – Mr Peter Daniels.

4. The Johnston Cup for the best exhibit in the floral arrangement classes – Ms Debbie Fox (Society Chairman).

5. Woolwich Building Society Shield, for a display of flowers and/or handicrafts by a school class or youth organisation, sponsored by Caterham Valley Parish Council – 1st prize 9th Caterham Guides, 2^nd prize 1^st Caterham Brownies.

6. Woolwich Building Society Cup for the best in children's classes - Tabitha Wren.

First prize rosettes for handwriting were also awarded to Erin aged 10 years and Jada Joseph aged 9 years.

The Society is run solely by volunteers. The purpose of the Society is to further and promote interest in horticulture and allotments. It helps and advises people interested in gardening, and provides expertly sourced products from the trading hut, at reduced prices to its members.

The Society's remaining two annual horticultural shows take place on Saturday 12th July and Saturday 13th September 2014at Hillcroft School. The Society is keen to encourage the younger generation, and has a number of classes in each of its shows for children aged 6–16 years. It has also introduced the Roy Skelton Cup for a young person aged 16–21 years that scores the highest total number of points across the annual shows.

Roger Davies with prize-winner, Tabitha Wren. Photograph by Richard Pearce.

The Society also has a plant stall at the Caterham Carnival on Saturday 14th June. The annual outing each year is particularly popular.

The membership fee is £4 per year and is deliberately kept low in order to allow the Society to be open to all. In addition to its shows, the Society also holds talks that are open to everyone, which are interesting to both new and expert or 'experienced' gardeners alike. The next one takes place on Saturday 5th July. The free talk on 'Changing floral fashions' is at East Surrey College, London Road, Redhill. Given by Society Chairman Debbie Fox. It covers floral fashion, indoors and out, from the Thirties to the Noughties. The talk will take place from 10.30am to noon and is free but booking in advance is required. For more information see www.esc.ac.uk and type course code AADE3X16XA into the course search box. To book telelephone 01737 788445.

For more information about the Society visit http://caterhamdistricthorticulturalsoc.weebly.com

Easter Basket. Photograph by Richard Pearce.