If only we had tipped off the Muncasters who had their plant stall nearby!! We have now forewarned Mike Oxtoby though, for these names have gone in many a notebook. Both varieties, as well as Pink Panther, were hybridised by the Len Bielby/Mike Oxtoby partnership and are of course available at Oxtoby's Nursery.
Our display, which stood out because of its imaginative design and the quality of the plants, was one of the many great society displays. Barnsley had created a wonderful scene of tranquillity, a fine selection of fuchsias set in a cobbled area with an old pump as centre piece. Scunthorpe had built a house on fire, with Autumnales, and the props included an old-fashioned manual fire pump. A good bit of fun! Gainsborough's display was a mass of plants, including some fine triphyllas surrounding a windmill. The Grimsby & District Fuchsia Society had a trellis framework in the shape of a cross with fuchsias galore on all sides. Lincoln Fuchsia Society protraited the Battle of Britain and the display included some outstanding plants of Tom West. Louth's display was called 'Our Fuchsia Ladies' and featured an old cart full of fuchsias and a well-dressed dummy. All the fuchsias in the display were 'ladies' i.e. Celia Smedley, Dollar Princess. etc. West Yorkshire Fuchsia Society displayed its plants on benches and included many beautifully decorated information leaflets. There was also a display staged on behalf of Lincoln Castle with fuchsias grouped round a model of the castle. The B.F.S. Stand included a selection of species and Kathleen Muncaster Nursery staged a nicely laid out hardy fuchsia display. As you can imagine the marquee drew a constant crowd of admirers, there was so much to see.
Outside there was a plant stall doing brisk business and a refreshment tent likewise well supported. All along the side of the main marquee large plants in flower buckets filled the grass verges and Pete Stott had staged a spectacular display of triphyllas, likewise large plants in flower buckets, 115 different varieties!!! Then there were the added attractions of the castle itself. It really made a grand day out. It worked to the mutual benefit of all. The Castle attracted more visitors because of the fuchsia event and the Fuchsia Festival gained more visitors as people visiting the castle decided to take in the fuchsias too!. This is actually most important, as hence the displays were witnessed by many who otherwise would not have come - I am sure it created a lot of new interest in fuchsia growing. Everyone involved thought it a very worthwhile and enjoyable weekend. If you didn't manage to go you certainly missed out on a very memorable event.
The Scarborough Fuchsia Society would like to compliment the N.E.C.F.G Committee on organising such a fantastic event. Special commendation must go to the bright spark who suggested approaching Lincoln Castle, a wonderful find, well done, John Green, what a stroke of genius. The Chairman, Brian Allatt, confirmed that they were very happy with the overall result, it proved an excellent venue to our advantage financially too. I just hope the Castle Authorities were as pleased and will invite us back sometime in the future.  Grateful thanks also to John & Carol Tindall for the use of their van and their (and Matthew's) help with dismantling the display and the clearing up.      CD