Hampstead Horticultural Society’s Autumn Flower Show- but could it be the last?

Kalyani Pal and Margaret Scanlon
Audrey Stocker

Published: 08 September 2011
by STEVE BARNETT

THERE was almost as much gloom as bloom at the Hampstead Horticultural Society Autumn Flower Show on Saturday as members gathered for what they fear will be their last ever event. 
 
Flowers, fruits and vegetables filled the main hall at the Gospel Oak Methodist Church in Agincourt Road as more than 80 entries went on display in a vibrant and colourful showpiece.
 
But after 67 flourishing years there’s a big risk that the society is about to close because it is struggling to find dedicated volunteers to run the committee. 
 
Altogether, five posts need to be filled as the incumbents have announced that after years of service they need to step down, and, although there have been appeals for replacements, new nominees are proving hard to find.  
 
Joan Payne, who has been secretary for almost 10 years, remained optimistic that a solution could still be found, but warned time was running out. 
 
“Although our show wasn’t as busy at it usually is for autumn, we appreciate that members are uncertain about the future direction of the society,”she said. 
 
“Nonetheless, our regular members turned up, and we were able to do some networking and may have found some volunteers to help fulfil certain roles on the committee. 
 
“Unfortunately, we’re still searching for someone to take over as honorary secretary. We’re hoping by October that we will have a clearer picture.”
 
Audrey Stocker, 84, who has been a member of the society for more than 44 years and won the Best in Floral Art Class Award on Saturday, said: “I’m very sad that the society might be closing. I’ve loved being a member, making new friends and seeing other people’s gardens. 
 
“I joked that the skull I used in the Unusual Container competition was the death of the society, but we’re all hoping that the shows will find a way to go on.”

All the winners:
Horticultural Classes
Class 1 – Dahlias: 1st No award given, 
2nd Margaret Scanlon, 3rd Carol Bateman
Class 2 – Fuchsias: 1st Kalyani Pal, 2nd Mary Betts, 3rd Enyd Norman
Class 3 – Annual Flowers: 1st No award given, 2nd Margaret Scanlon
Class 4 – A Single Rose: 1st Susie Ray, 
2nd Margaret Scanlon, 3rd Joan Payne
Class 5 – Bowl or Vase of Roses: 1st Frances Radford, 2nd Audrey Stocker, 3rd Margaret Scanlon
Class 6 – Pot Plant, Flowering: 1st Hilda Gill, 2nd Kalyani Pal, 3rd Joan Payne
Class 7 – Pot Plant, Foliage: 1st Margaret Scanlon, 2nd Kalyani Pal, 3rd Mary Betts
Class 8 – Pot Plant, from Seed or Cutting: Winner was Kalyani Pal 
Class 9 – Perennial Flowers: 1st Enyd Norman, 2nd Audrey Stocker, 3rd Joan Payne
Class 10 – Garden Shrubs in flower: 
Winner was Enyd Norman
Class 11 – Foliage: 1st Enyd Norman, 
2nd Carol Bateman
Class 12 – Fruit: 1st Joan Payne, 2nd Susie Ray, 3rd  Jill Kelly
Class 13 – Soft Fruit or Grapes: 1st Jill Kelly, 2nd Susie Ray 
Class 14 – Outdoor Tomatoes: 1st Margaret Scanlon, 2nd Susie Ray, 3rd Joan Payne 
Class 15 – Indoor Tomatoes: Winner was Margaret Scanlon  
Class 16 – Runner Beans: 1st Frank Baldwin, 2nd Susie Ray
Class 17 – Vegetables: Winner was Susie Ray
Class 18 – Herbs: Winner was Margaret Scanlon  
Class 19 – Trug of Garden Gleanings: 
1st Carol Bateman, 2nd Frances Radford, 
3rd Susie Ray
Best in Horticultural Classes: Carol Bateman for Class 19, Trug of Garden Gleanings
 
Floral Art Classes
Class 20 – Miniature Arrangement: 
1st Annie Symons, 2nd Frances Radford
Class 21 – Modern Freestyle: 
1st Carol Bateman, 2nd Margaret Scanlon
Class 22 – An Unusual Container: 
1st Carol Bateman, 2nd Audrey Stocker (pictured right), 3rd Margaret Scanlon
Class 23 – Autumn Symphony: 
1st Audrey Stocker, 2nd Carol Bateman, 
3rd Margaret Scanlon 
Class 24 – Children’s Class (under six) 
A Miniature Pool: 1st Elsie Singleton
Best in Floral Art classes: Audrey Stocker for Class 23, Autumn Symphony
 
Domestic Classes
Class 25 – Jam or Jelly: 1st Margaret Scanlon, 2nd Annie Symons, 3rd Frances Radford
Class 26 – Chutney: 1st Annie Symons, 2nd Carol Bateman, 3rd Susie Ray and Joan Payne
Class 27 – Shortbread Fingers: 1st Margaret Scanlon, 2nd Carol Bateman, 3rd Enyd Norman
Class 28 – Small Brown Loaf: 
1st Griselda Vrolyk, 2nd Margaret Scanlon, 
3rd Carol Bateman
Class 29 – Fish Pate: 1st Margaret Scanlon, 2nd Carol Bateman, 3rd Griselda Vrolyk
Class 30 – Children’s Class (five or under) An Edible Animal: 
1st Elsie Singleton
Best in Domestic Classes: Margaret Scanlon for Class 29, Fish Pate
 
Photography Classes
Class 31 – Wildlife in an Urban Garden: 1st Audrey Stocker 2nd Carol Bateman, 3rd Jean Lilley
Class 32 – Picture Depicting a Season: 1st Jean Lilley, 2nd Rosa Bacharach, 3rd Susie Ray.
 
SEE GULLIVER

 

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