Peebles blossoms for annual Horticultural Society show

A number of winners returned trophies won last year, just before the latest triumphs were unveiled at Peebles Drill Hall last Saturday afternoon.

The society was formed in 1850 with the object of “further fostering an interest in gardening and a wider knowledge of horticulture”.

In the educational interests of local youth it was further resolved that, at annual exhibitions botanical and horticultural competitions for children be incorporated.

About an hour after the doors opened, the chairman Johnny Brown announced the trophy winners and they were as follows:

John Ridley Trophy – winner of most firsts in Beginners' Section: Elaine Davidson and Kristina Lewis

Society Cup – winner of most first prizes, section one: Alastair Dodds

Rose Bowl, presented by the late Mrs Godfrey – winner of most firsts in vegetable classes, section one: Alastair Dodds

Medal and Award Card, National Vegetable Society – winner of vegetable exhibit of merit in confined section one: Sam Ferguson

Willie Greenshields Quaich for best ‘vegetable not in show’ in show: Alastair Dodds

Roger Land Quaich winner of most firsts in soft fruit, section one: Susan Ridley

Challenge Cup, presented by the late councillor Robert Allan – winner of most firsts in flower exhibits, open section one: Susan Ridley

Rose Cup, presented by the late T Carruthers – winner of most firsts in rose classes, open section one: Helen Taylor

John Patterson Trophy for best vase dahlias in the show: Steven Ormiston

The Craigerne Bowl, presented by the late Col. W Thorburn – winner of most firsts in chrysanthemum classes, open section one: Angus MacLean

Society Cup – winner of most firsts in sweet pea classes, open section one: Sam Ferguson

Peebles Social Club Shield – winner of most firsts in pot plants, open section one: John Brown

Vince Woods Memorial Trophy Best pot plant in show: John Brown

Silver Basket presented by Mrs B Fowler – winner of most firsts in floral decoration, open section three: Nancy Forsyth

Special Award, donated by Mrs I Collins, Mrs A E Smith and Miss M Ewart – best floral art exhibit in sections three and four: Nancy Forsyth

Anne Smith Memorial Trophy, presented by Peebles Floral Art Club – winner of novice class in floral art: Lorna Stavert

Silver Cake Tray, presented by Mrs A M Richards – winner of most firsts in industrial section five, preserves and baking: Gillian Williamson

Mary Dolmetsch Trophy – winner of most firsts in industrial section five, homecraft: Cath Beaumont

Margaret Brodie Quaich most points in preserves: John Brown

Book, presented by Mrs M Brodie and Mrs J Wilson – winner of most firsts in children’s section preschool: Aiden Smith

A Shield, presented by Mr and Mrs E Mathers – winner of most firsts in children’s section, primary: Grace Thorburn

Kerfield Cup, presented by Mr and Mrs N Thomson – winner of most firsts in children’s section, secondary: Gabriela Hamza

The full Peebles Horticultural Society 2024 results in order with first placed followed by second, third and fourth if applicable are as follows:

Beginners

One Onion: Kristina Lewis; Elaine Davidson. One Carrot: Elaine Davidson. Two apples: Kristina Lewis. Vase of garden flowers: Elaine Davidson; Kristina Lewis.

Open section

Three Rhubarb stalks: Helen Lewis. Three dessert apples: Guy Norris; William Napier; Susan Ridley. Three cooking apples: Susan Ridley. Three pears (all same variety): Nancy Forsyth. Four plums (all same variety): Alastair Dodds; Susan Ridley. 10 raspberries: Susan Ridley. ½lb blackcurrants: Susan Ridley. ½lb redcurrants: Susan Ridley; John Brown. Fruit not mentioned in schedule: E Mackay; Alastair Dodds; Susan Ridley. Mini collection of fruit: Alastair Dodds. One cucumber: Grace Buchan; Johnny Brown; James Aitken. One truss tomatoes: Johnny Brown; Helen Lewis; Norah Ridley. Three tomatoes: Alastair Dodds; Archie Smellie; Ian Thorburn. One early cabbage: Archie Smellie. Two cauliflowers: Archie Smellie. Two dishes of potatoes: Sam Ferguson; E Stevenson; Archie Smellie. Four potatoes on dish, round or kidney shaped: Sam Ferguson; Johnny Brown; Mick Curwen. Heaviest potato: E Stevenson; Alastair Dodds; James Aitken. Three carrots, stump: Sam Ferguson. Seven pods French beans: Alastair Dodds; Ian Thorburn. Seven pods peas: Archie Smellie; Helen Lewis; James Aitken. Seven pods broad beans: Susan Ridley; Helen Lewis. Three courgettes: Sam Ferguson; Mick Curwen. Three turnip beets: Johnny Brown; Mick Curwen; Archie Smellie. Three onions to clear 4” ring: Alastair Dodds; Ian Thorburn; William Napier. Six shallots, red: Alastair Dodds. Wonkiest vegetable: Alastair Dodds; Elaine Davidson; Johnny Brown. Vegetable not in schedule: Alastair Dodds; Sam Ferguson; Mick Curwen. One parsley plant: Sam Ferguson; Alastair Dodds. Mini collection vegetables: Alastair Dodds; William Napier; Archie Smellie. Collection of vegetables: Archie Smellie. One 8” Vase Floribunda roses, three stems: C Patterson. One 8” vase three roses HT: Helen Taylor. One 8” vase single rose: Ian Thorburn; Helen Taylor; Isabel Good. One vase max 10” medium decorative dahlias, three blooms over 6”: Steven Ormiston; Sandra MacGregor; Dan Espie. One vase max 10” decorative dahlias, three blooms: Linda Ormiston; Dan Espie; Sandra MacGregor. One vase max 10” cactus or semi-cactus dahlias, three blooms: Linda Ormiston; Steven Ormiston; Sandra MacGregor. One vase max 10” ball dahlias, three blooms: Dan Espie; Sandra MacGregor. One 8” vase pompom dahlias, three blooms not exceeding 2”: Dan Espie; Linda Ormiston; Sandra MacGregor. Single giant dahlia: Ian Thorburn; Dan Espie; Linda Ormiston. Collection of mixed herbaceous flowers: Nancy Forsyth; Susan Ridley. Two vases max 10” herbaceous flowers, distinct species: Susan Ridley. Vase annuals, mixed, gracefully arranged: Alastair Dodds; Susan Ridley. One 8” vase annuals, distinct species, not mentioned in this section: Nancy Forsyth; Susan Ridley. Two 8” vases, flowers, distinct species: Susan Ridley. Vase border flowers, mixed, gracefully arranged: Susan Ridley; Alastair Dodds. One 8” vase phlox (perennial), three spikes: Isabel Good; Sam Ferguson. One 8” vase, Antirrhinum, five spikes: Nancy Forsyth. One 8” vase carnations or pinks, five stems grown in open border: C Patterson. One Vase max 10”, three gladioli: John Brown. One 8” vase, one gladioli, large flowering: David Pye; Ian Thorburn; John Brown. Six gladioli florets: David Pye; John Brown; C Patterson. One vase max 10” spray chrysanthemums: Angus MacLean; Nancy Forsyth. Two 8” vase sweet peas, (one named variety), nine stems own foliage: John Brown. One 8” vase sweet peas, (one named variety), nine stems own foliage: Sam Ferguson; Ian Thorburn; Dan Espie. One 8” vase pink sweet peas, nine stems per vase, own foliage: Sam Ferguson; Ian Thorburn. One 8” vase sweet peas, 12 Stems, mixed, own foliage: Sam Ferguson; John Brown; Rosemary Cowie. Society bowl of sweet peas gracefully arranged, any decoration: Alastair Dodds; John Brown; Hannah Price. Six violas, at least three varieties, on a board supplied by society: Susan Ridley. Four African marigolds, on a board supplied by society: Susan Ridley. Six French marigolds, on a board supplied by society: Susan Ridley. Six fuchsia heads, on a board supplied by exhibitor: Gill Pye; Alastair Dodds; David Pye. One begonia head, on a board supplied by exhibitor: C Patterson. Three begonia heads, on a board supplied by exhibitor: C Patterson; Grace Buchan; Johnny Brown. One geranium plant, pot not to exceed 10”: John Brown. One tuberous begonia, pot not to exceed 10”: C Patterson; John Brown. Three pot plants. distinct species, pot not to exceed 10”: John Brown. One foliage plant, ornamental, non-flowering in a pot not to exceed 10”: John Brown; Sam Ferguson. One house plant: John Brown; Norah Ridley. One cacti or succulent: John Brown.

Floral art section

Love Your Garden: Nancy Forsyth; Elaine Thomson; Lorna Evans. Going for Gold: M Smellie; Margaret Abbot; Elaine Thomson. Rusty Relics: Susan Welsh; Anne Dodds; M Smellie. Sparkle: Anne Dodds; Nancy Forsyth; Lorna Evans. Branching Out - novice: Lorna Stavert.

Industrial section: Marmalade: Nancy Forsyth; John Brown. Blackcurrant jam: Norah Ridley; Susan Ridley; E Smellie. Raspberry jam: R Napier; Margaret Barr; E Smellie. Strawberry jam: John Brown; E Smellie; Grace Buchan. Jam not mentioned in schedule: E Smellie; John Brown; Elaine Davidson. Jelly, any kind: John Brown; Margaret Barr; E Smellie. Lemon curd: M Brodie; William Napier; Susan Ridley. Three pancakes: Gillian Williamson; R Napier; Martin Williamson. Three cheese scones: A Hamilton; Gillian Williamson; Nancy Forsyth. Three iced double biscuits: Gillian Williamson; R Napier. Three pieces traybake: Gillian Williamson; Christine Donnelly; M Smellie. Three pieces lemon/lime drizzle traybake: Christine Donnelly; M Brodie; A Hamilton. Plain gingerbread: M Smellie; Gillian Williamson. Madeira cake/loaf: Christine Donnelly; Amy Ridley; M Brodie. Sultana cake: Helen Taylor; A Hamilton; M Brodie. Apple tart: M Smellie; Margaret Barr; Helen Taylor. Coleslaw: Aileen Couples; M Brodie; A Hamilton. Three pieces of tablet: E Mackay; A Hamilton. Item of crochet: Christine Donnelly; M Brodie; Elma Wallace. Knitted fingerless gloves: Cath Beaumont; Anne Dodds; Anne Glendinning. Article of handmade jewellery: E Smellie; Christine Donnelly; Susan Ridley. Child’s Arran sweater or cardigan: Rosemary Napier; Anne Glendinning; Anne Dodds. Article in cross stitch: Sandra MacGregor; Kate Rowell; Susan Ridley. Draught excluder: Anne Dodds. Something new from something old: Evelyn Ferguson. Handicraft not mentioned: Cath Beaumont; Rosemary Napier; Christine Donnelly. Handmade card: Elaine Davidson: Lorna Evans; Susan Ridley; Amy Ridley, highly commended. 5” x 7” photo ‘any aspect of nature’: Liz Ramsay; Rosemary Napier; Lindsay Brown

Pre-school section

An animal made from fruit or vegetable: Aiden Smith; Ronan Smith. Thumbprint dandelion: Aiden Smith; Edie Winton; Ronan Smith. Scarecrow: Edie Winton; Aiden Smith.

Primary school section

Miniature garden in a seed tray: Holly Williamson; Grace Thorburn; Camille Lewis; Reuben Lewis. Olympic Torch made from recycled materials: Holly Williamson; Camille Lewis; Grace Thorburn; Ben Smith. Three pieces of flapjack: Grace Thorburn; Camille Lewis; Holly Williamson; Ben Smith. A vegetable or fruit you have grown from seed: Grace Thorburn; Camille Lewis; James Price; Holly Williamson. Photo of Peebles: Ruaridh Entwistle; Holly Williamson; Grace Thorburn; Reuben Lewis. Eight nature finds displayed on a paper plate: Holly Williamson; Grace Thorburn; Skye Entwistle; Reuben Lewis. Lego model: Jonathan Brown; Lauchlan Winton; Camille Lewis; Grace Thorburn. Scarecrow: Grace Thorburn; Charlotte; Reuben Lewis; Camille Lewis.

Secondary school section

A flower or vegetable you have grown from seed: Gabriela Hamza. Three pieces of flapjack: Gabriela Hamza. Photo of your favourite view: Gabriela Hamza.