The Southern Chrysanthemum Society has been going for an impressive 60 years and its annual show in this milestone year was ’excellent’, said society member Ken Barnes.

The key to its long life has been diversification, he added.

As the number of growers of the bloom reduced, so did the number of entries.

It led to the society opening up the show to include classes for vegetables, and over the years this was followed by confectionery, preserves and also photography ’to keep it alive’.

Stalwart member John Corkish has had entries in the shows for a remarkable 59 years.

This time around he won the award for best ’naturally grown (ie with no interference by the grower) chrysanthemum’.

classes

Other awards went to Mike Pemberton for best chrysanthemum in show plus 10 trophies in other classes; Dorothy Faragher had the best potted chrysanthemum, Alan Clucas won an award for the the Princess Anne chrysanthemum variety.

Meanwhile, the awards for confectionery went to a delighted Nina Shimmin and Jane Galbraith.

’It was an excellent show,’ Ken said.

To join the society, contact Ken on 664377.