Great Scott pips rival at the post

A GREEN-fingered guru who really knows his onions was pipped by a single point to the top honour at a fiercely contested flower and vegetable show in Alness.

The annual event run by Alness Horticultural Society at the local bowling club saw a fine array of beautiful blooms and vigorous vegetables displayed at their best in a bid to turn the heads of judges.

While best exhibit in show was claimed by veteran local competitor George Pirie with his magnificent pink double begonia, it was George Scott from Newtonmore who went home with the Jack Bain Challenge Cup for Most Points in Show after garnering just one more point than David Munro from Alness.

In the cut flowers, Jack Bain had most points in roses while best exhibit in roses went to Melvin Miller. George Pirie gained most points and David Munro won the best exhibit with a vibrant vase of five dahlias. John Ross won the Top Vase competition and Susan Seright sweet peas were voted tops.

The dahlia sections were won by David Munro. John Ross secured won most points in chrysanthemums and John Ross gained best exhibit.

In the intermediate section, Rosie Macdonald gained the award for most points.

The fruit and vegetable classes saw some lively competition with Charles Scott picking up the silver for the collections of vegetables and most points in vegetables, best tray and best mini collection. It was a remarkable achievement given that the exhibits are grown on a tiny plot of land.

David Munro was able to shed tears of joy winning the onion championship for his exhibit grown from seed. Bruce Begg of Tain won best exhibit in leeks for his blanch leek exhibit.

Graham Sullivan won most points in fruit.

The floral art was well contested with Christel Mackintosh gaining most points while Jacqueline MacDonald was awarded best exhibit. Jacqueline also picked up the society’s special award of £50 which this year was allocated to the floral art section.

Joan MacIver collected the best novice award.

The junior classes were well attended again with some new names on the entry sheets. Kayleen Paterson won the 7 and under class as well as gaining most points in children’s sections with Kayleigh Leiper garnering most points for the 8 to 12-year-old classes.

The baking and preserves were very well contested. Once the judges had sampled their way through the exhibits, Alison Mackenzie took the award for most points in preserves, and best exhibit went to Sheila Spence, while Rhona Begg gained most points in baking.

Committee members paid tribute to all who participated on the day and the contestants for the numerous exhibits left to auction for funds. They also thanked judges, helpers and the public who gave up some free time to help make the day a success. The society’s spring bulb show takes place next March.

A social night and prize giving meanwhile will take place on October 25.

The AGM is on November 22 at 7.30pm in the Perrins Centre, Alness.