Saturday 26^th August 2023 Visitors thronged the street of Largs. The queue of cars and scooters waiting for the Cumbrae ferry stretched along the streets and it was the day of the Largs & District Horticultural Society’s Annual Flower Show in Dunn Memorial Hall.

The organisers were concerned that the heavy rain and high winds of recent days would severely impact the number of entries on display. However these fears proved groundless as the show benches were filled with an exceptional standard of exhibits. A steady stream of visitors were treated to a colourful spectacle of pot plants, flowers and vegetables .. The Floral Art exhibits reflected great imagination and artistic talent. Also on show was a mouth watering display range of home-baking and colourful displays of Hobbies and Crafts. Blooming talent was also evident in the variety of exhibits in the Schools and Junior Section. The Committee was particularly delighted to see a large number of first-timers entering their exhibits.

The main prize-winner was local gardener and Society Secretary Etta Strachan who carried home the Royal Bank of Scotland Quaich for most points in the show and also two other trophies. The Blue Ribbon for Best Exhibit in the Show was awarded to Organic Growers of Fairlie for a magnificent trug of produce with excellent fruit and vegetables. The National Vegetable Society Medal was awarded to David and Wendy Cook for their entry of Runner Beans. Special mention to Ada Riley for winning the Royal Bank of Scotland Junior Quaich for most points in the Junior Section.

The Horticultural Society would like to thank all the people who gave up their time on the day and throughout the year to make the show a success and to the local shops, businesses and individuals who made generous donations. Without their effort and contributions there could not be a flower show.

PRIZE WINNERS

Overall winner of the show – Etta Strachan who won 3 cups:
John W Hunter Cup for the Overall Winner of the Show
Royal Bank of Scotland Quaich for Most Points in the Show
Lord MacAndrew Cup for most Points in Pot Plants

Largs Challenge Trophy and Blue Ribbon for the Best Exhibit in the Show - The Organic Growers of Fairlie.

Harry Bacon Cup for Most Points in Fuchsias - Hugh Gibson.

John Scott Smith Cup – Most Points Begonias - Morven Cameron.

Alexander McKay Cup for Most Points in Cut Flowers,
Robert Frazer Cup for most points Carnations - Ian Dippie.

William Murray Cup for Best Vase of 6 Roses - Jim Welsh.

Albert Stone Cup for most points Dahlias - Stuart McDougal.

Jean George Novice Trophy for Flower Arranging,
Mrs Jane B Ross Cup for Most Points in Decorative – Karelia Scott-Daniels.

Northfield Cup for most points in Vegetables - Ronald Whyte.

National Vegetable Society Medal for Best Vegetable - David and Wendy Cook.

George D Philip Cup for Most Points in Hobbies & Crafts – Katrina McBlain.

Joyce Dunlop Trophy for Best Exhibit Tapestry – Christine Delussey.

Mrs Agnes Neeson Cup for Most Points in Baking – Eileen Welsh.

West Coast Cakes Bake-Off
1^st - Megan Riley
2^nd - Katrina McBlain
3^rd - Eileen Welsh

Allotment/Community Garden Challenge for a produce basket
1^st - Organic Growers of Fairlie
2^nd - Wellington Allotments
3^rd - Caddlehill Allotments

JUNIOR SECTION

Royal Bank of Scotland Junior Quaich for Most Points in Junior Section,
Society Shield for 7 years and under - Ada Riley.

Society Shields for 8-11 years - William Leonard, Holly Wilkin and Aston Gordon.

Junior Hobbies & Crafts - Holly Wilkin.

Largs Viking Festival Cup
1^st - Grace Canning
2^nd - Luke McCreadie
3^rd - Pupil St Mary’s Primary

Cardwell Garden Centre Challenge Trophy for Best Basket of Produce in Primary School Section
1^st – GTOC (Growing Together Outdoor Club),
2^nd – Skelmorlie Primary School.

Haylie Store's Nursery/Early Years Class 'Our Little Magical Window Box' - Largs Early Year’s Centre.