There's lots of flower power

This was in spite of the fact that gardeners had had to contend with a dry sunny April, followed by wet weather ever since - far from ideal.

This year the show date did not clash with Addingham but did fall on the same day as that at Gargrave. A total of 567 entries were received, many of these from first time exhibitors to Ilkley and visitors (about 620) were arriving at the Kings Hall/Winter Gardens even before the doors opened and continued to surge in for the whole of the very hot, sunny afternoon.

Exhibits from the youngsters of the area was pleasingly up this year and once again the committee and Booths Supermarket got together and organised a painting competition before the show date. These paintings ('What Lives At The Bottom Of My Garden') were displayed at Booths and the winning pictures were on display at the show. Awards were presented on the day.

Now a well-established section of the show are the two photography classes - 'Youth and Age' and 'My View of Yorkshire' - which had a high number of entries and a wide variety of subject and they continue to be of interest of visitors.

All the usual classes were represented and visitors were able to admire wonderful floral art creations, fine examples of china painting, vegetables of all varieties, vases of dahlias, roses, gladioli, and mixed flowers alongside pot plants of fuchsia, begonia and foliage.

Upstairs were knitting and craftwork, with a fine display of cakes, biscuits, Swiss rolls, shortbread and treacle tarts.

Last year three classes were introduced for novices - adults and children - covering: 'A Vase of Flowers from Your Garden', 'Decorated New Wooden Spoon' and 'Disaster Time!'.

However, they were still not as well supported as had been hoped after all the expressions in the past of 'there isn't much for novices to start them off entering local shows".

Again featured this year was a show within a show section for the local Women's Institute Clubs - the theme was 'Sea Side' and proved a big talking point with four entries. Thesedisplays had to incorporate a cake, a flower arrangement and handicrafts. Winners were Skipton Afternoon W.I.

There was also an opportunity to have a go on the well filled tombola, take part in the raffle and then sit in the Kings Hall to enjoy a cup of tea and a home-made cake, served by members and friends of the Flower Show Society.

Councillor Michael Gibbons presented the trophies to award winning exhibitors - the most points in the whole show going to Ruth Brown of Ilkley, a very well deserved winner who puts such a lot of time and effort into the show and coffee morning as a helper, cake maker and exhibits in practically every section of the show.

Coun Gibbons said: "There was an excellent turnout for the flower show and there were some really wonderful exhibits, particularly those submitted by the children. It was a fantastic effort they made to produce their work, and I enjoyed the floating flowers.

"There were also some very good photographs, which I had not expected to see at a flower show.

"There was a really good attendance and I hope that next year, which is the 50th anniversary, people will flock to support the show."

A lively auction of goods donated by exhibitors followed the presentation of trophies and buyers went home with flowers, vegetables, jams and cakes.

The show's chairman and the committee would once again like to thank prize sponsors for their continued and very generous support, all the judges for their cheerful and painstaking hard work and everyone else who had in any way contributed to the staging of the show.

Special thanks go to the Women's Institute for the help given at both the Coffee Morning in May and on the show day, Eastmoor Nursing Home and Ilkley Community Chest whichsponsored the show, and finally, Keighley Area Panel for its continued grant support for the event.

l August 16, 2003, will be the 50th anniversary show - and organisers will be calling for a bumper entry.