Horticultural show success

The Dromore and District Beekeepers also joined in the Show. There were classes for cut flowers, fruit, vegetables and home baking. The vegetables, fruit and dahlia classes were particularly well supported this year. The judges were again complimentary about the dahlias and the vegetable entries. Despite the weather, people around Hillsborough, Dromore and Lisburn still seem able to produce excellent flowers and vegetables. The annual flower shows are great social occasions and it would be a pity to see them fade as a feature of rural life. The support from local people and visitors is therefore very much appreciated. Congratulations to all the exhibitors and competitors. The main prize-winners include The National Dahlia Silver Medal Certificate awarded to the best exhibit of dahlias in the Show: Winner - Mr John Robinson, Thornleigh Park, Lisburn. The McCutcheon Cup awarded to the best exhibit in the class for a collection of five vegetables on a tray: Winner - Mr Ted Thompson, Anahilt. The Ray Martin Memorial Perpetual Cup awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in the cut flower classes: Winner - Mr John Robinson, Thornleigh Park, Lisburn. The Morrison Perpetual Cup awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in the section for flowering plants: Winner - Mrs Fiona Cunningham, Hillsborough. The Blaris Cup awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in the vegetable classes: Winner - Mr Mervyn Acheson, Moira. The McDowell Challenge Cup awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in the fruit classes: Winner - Mrs Fiona Cunningham, Hillsborough. The Amy Green Memorial Trophy for the best exhibit in the flower arranging classes: Winner - Ms Dawn Mitchell, Hillsborough. The Thompson Cup awarded for the best exhibit in the classes for children: Winner - Miss Emily O’Neill, Hillsborough.

The Eglantine Perpetual Challenge Rose Bowl presented to the Hillsborough Horticultural Society competitor who achieved the highest combined points at both Spring and Autumn Shows in 2016: Winner - Mrs Eleanor Alexander, Downshire Park, Hillsborough.

The next meeting of the Society will be at 8pm on Wednesday 28 September in the Village Centre when the speaker will be Mr Mark Gregg from Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council. Mark will be speaking on ‘Planting for the public realm’. Everyone welcome.