Terry Bratcher especially brought some outstanding Dahlias to win every class he entered: The Cornish Open Championship, with Kenora Valentine, Trelyn Kiwi, Polventon Christobel and Sheval Megan; The three vases classs for small flowered dahlias Sheval Megan, Polventon Christobel and Ryecroft Tango; Nine different cultivars, one bloom of each and the small decorative trophy Sheval Megan, a seedling and Roger Turrel (named for the founder vice chairman of the society).

Kenora Challenger won Terry Stephens the giant/large cactus trophy, Hillcrest Candy and Val’s Candy won the medium cactus trophy class.
The best vase of small decoratives (Sheval Megan), the best vase of semi-cactus (Ryecroft Tango) joined the silver medal – The Cornish Open Championship winning exhibit on the long journey back to Bridgewater with Terry Bratcher.

John Patrick won the Cornish Miniature Championship showing Ryecroft Jan, Ryecroft Yellow Orb and Weston Pirate. John added the miniature decorative trophy with Ryecroft Peace, Ryecroft Jan and Dikara Superb.

Cornish pride was upheld by Paul Fisher winning the giant/large decorative trophy with Kenora Valentine, this exhibit gained the bronze medal. Paul also won two cups for small cactus with his favoured Trelyn Kiwi.

Charlie Two and White Charlie Two won the medium decorative trophy for Terry Stephens.

The ball class was won by vice-president Roy Knight with Jomanda (small) and Mary’s Jomanda (mini), the Waterlilly with two vases of Kernow Redruth and the cup for the best fimbriated Dahlia. Roy also won the cup for the most points in the members classes.

Peter Greenway’s winning Pompon trophy exhibit was Moorplace (1957), Willo’s Violet (1937) and Frank Holmes (1976) a grand total of 169 years. Just to balance things out a bit he won the miniature cactus trophy with 2 vases of his own variety Josudi Telstar which is only a couple of years old. Another Josudi mini cactus this time Josudi Neptune won the Cornish Seedling class and the large Pompon Rosemary Dawn won best single bloom. Peter’s vase of Ryecroft Pixie in the Cornish Miniature Championship was voted best vase in show.

Dr Mike Bryant won the Collerette trophy with 2 new seedlings raised as part of the ongoing trials in collaboration with Ivor Kitchener.

First time exhibitor Mr L Blewett won the most points and best exhibit in the novice section.

David Jasper won most points in the single bloom classes and Lorraine Jasper won the bowl class voted for by the general public using Kernow Tiggy Bee a multi coloured pink small cactus and the pale pink and white waterlily Bracken Ballerina. Over seven hundred visitors cast their votes, not everyone was persuaded to take part so probably around a thousand people may have seen Dahlias grown to exhibition standard for the first time. Any society having trouble finding a venue, could do worse than get in touch with their local National Trust property. We have had nothing but enthusiastic support from the staff at Trelissick and cannot thank them enough.

Nine bowls containing at least nine Dahlias and voted for by the public (202 votes) saw hard working show secretary Pat Knight successful. The varieties used included various Pompons, Cactus, Collerettes and even a bowl of Kenora Valentine. Displays tended to be more artistic than at the “National” which is judged by N.D.S. qualified judges and is really just an extension of the ordinary classes and floral design is not considered necessary.

Photos from the Trelawney Show