Chipping Show

Frank Hoyle and his team do a great job running the Chipping Show. The prizes are excellent, the welcome is second to none and as a result, most of the big names in the North West can be seen at this show. In the dahlias the likes of Messrs Sutherland and Higginbottom produce absolutely top quality exhibits. Above and below are just two of the baskets from the dahlia section.

Vegetables are amazingly good at this show. The leeks below were of a size that one would associate with Harrogate or the NVS National.

Chrysanthemums also feature in this show. A nice set of three below.

One thing I keep meaning to do is to have a serious go at the basket classes for glads at these shows. I did one last year at Harrogate but I think I need to grow more specifically for these basket classes. I've started sourcing the various foliage plants that you can use and have actually managed to get some to grow. Cold winds and the high altitude mean that they will have to have some serious protection next year.

Derek Roscow's basket was the only entry and won a handsome prize.

The judge, Eric Anderton, had a job on with class 1 for a single spike as there were 17 entries. He seemed to have got it right however and Andrew Clark was 1st and 2nd with a Felicita and a Careless, while Mr P Vine was 3rd with a really outstanding example of Lowland Queen.

In the 2 spike class above, Mr Vine's two Lowland Queen were deserved winners.

I was lucky to win the 4 spike class against two entries from Terry Morris with these Extasy (it's the way the breeder spells it) . My flowers were a bit rough in terms of placement but a little younger than Terry's on this occasion. He has his share of wins usually.

Andrew Clark struck again in the 2 x 1/200s with a nice pair of Olivia.

Another thing I keep threatening to do is to grow spray chrysanthemums again. This show is quite early for sprays in the first week in September but I might have a go next year.

There is very keen competition in the pansies class as can be seen from the number of boards here.

Chipping attracts a large entry in the potato classes, where Frank Hoyle often makes a clean sweep in most if not all the classes. Beautifully presented, blemish-free spuds.

Add to the above, giant onions and most other veg that you can think of, lovely pot plants and herbaceous entries, sweet peas, annuals, and so on. A gardener's delight located in beautiful surroundings in the village of Chipping.