15^th JULY  A loud thud and clatter from the postman as the mail drops through my letterbox, more bills, another day another dollar. Opening the largest and heaviest envelope, more business catalogues I thought, I was taken aback to discover a host of individual letters, personal tributes and thanks from the children of Kingmoor Junior School. The letters reached parts of me that even Heineken Lager cannot reach, yes, they brought tears to my eyes. I really did appreciate the kind tributes, which will be treasured by me forever. My motive has always been to give and share with others the benefit of my simple skills of growing fuchsias. If we can improve on last year's entry of five plants in the children's section, then I will be the happiest man in Carlisle. All the children promised to see me at the show with their plants, if what they say is right, then Mr Show Secretary you had better get in some more benching and find some more space.

1^st AUGUST  Here we are at the Solway & Hadrian Fuchsia Group's 19th Annual Show. 6.00 a.m., it's time to rise and shine, blooms to pick, plants to pack and stage. On my mind this year are not my show plants, but those grown by the children. I am confident they will provide a splendid display for all to admire. With my wife organising the catering the next couple of hours are hectic. At 8.00 a.m. I arrive at the hall with 24 entries of my own to display. It's gone 10 a.m. and judging has started, with a special area for the children's class and a staging time of 10.45 to 11.15 a.m. I waited with baited breath for the first entries to arrive and arrive they did. Thick and fast with smiles on their faces and comments from the parents new venture for children and parents alike, and they will all be back this afternoon to see the show in all its glory. After giving out 53 plants in June, I have been rewarded with 25 flowering plants of Snowcap gracing the children's class. It's not just me feeling chuffed, but all our members, there's a buzz in the air!
Our judges were so impressed with the entries that they sponsored an extra prize. You would not believe the number of people that admired the exhibits in the children's class, and the excitement as the children returned. Every junior exhibitor received a £1 coin and a Certificate of Achievement, with extra cash prizes for the first four places and a trophy for the winner. Time for the presentations by our President. He's like the cat that's got the cream, we've helped to fulfil his dream to involve the next generation in horticulture. The special children's class trophy presentation was last, with comments, praise and thanks to all the children involved, to Eric, the teachers and the school for allowing the project time and space in the curriculum.  The trophy winner was nine year old Stephanie Ball. What a picture, what a smile. What a day to remember, what tales to tell. This is something she will treasure for a long time!

TO SUMMARISE - There were obviously a lot more things said and done during my time with the children in school, they never stopped asking questions in their search for knowledge. The whole thing was repeated for a second group each visit, I needed two of everything. Why am I telling you all this? Well, I want you all to feel the buzz it has given me personally, but let's not forget the children. There is a real need, a thirst for knowledge from these Young Show People of the Future. You will get far more out of this than you will ever put in. Go, on, take the bull by the horns, find a school and the time, then together we will educate the Next Generation of Young Fuchsia Growers.

First published in the British Fuchsia Society CADs Fuchsia News in October 1999 and with Eric as enthusiastic as ever at our June meeting I thought it well worth bringing to the attention of our newer members.
Thank you Eric for giving permission to reprint, for doing the project in the first place and as the CADs editorial comment at the time said: "Brilliant if only more of us could try this sort of scheme."  WELL DONE ERIC!

The basic information about our Scarborough Fuchsia Society (as well as some photographs of the Lincoln Fuchsia Festival) can be found on www.fuchsiasforfun.totalserve.co.uk/sdfs.html
This is rather a lot to type in, so a more sensible route to it is perhaps to first check out the official British Fuchsia Society web site www.thebfs.org.uk which is constantly being updated to contain all the latest information for fuchsia enthusiasts. It proves a very good starting off point, giving useful information about the British Fuchsia Society and their Regional Shows. 
It also provides links to affiliated societies such as ours by way of a simple click on the society logos! 
Well done, Webmaster!!