Bute was in Bloom at Rothesay Horticultural Society’s annual show, which moved to a new venue at the newly named Isle of Bute Parish Church.
Last weekend saw both members and day visitors, for whom entry to the show was free, made very welcome at the new show venue.
Lots of people made their way up High Street to view the show and the church was full of colour in both the sanctuary and the hall.
The attendance figures held up both with day visitors, membership renewals and show entries, with the society increasing the classes since the reduced shows coming out of lockdown.
The church was a flood of floral colour in the main sanctuary and the show continued through the corridors to the large first floor hall with baking produce, handicrafts, fruit, floral art, children’s section and plant sales, not forgetting the fundraising tombola.
Visitors also enjoyed an afternoon tea organised by the Isle of Bute Church fundraising group.
Children’s classes enlarged again for the 2025 show and the displays were excellent.
A grand tombola raised much needed funds for the society and the club thanked friends, supporters and the generous local businesses who gifted prizes.
The society wished to give a special thanks to For Bute for their support as the main show sponsor, allowing them to professionally print the show schedule.
As was the case before, the quality of entries was exceptional.
Cups and trophies were won by many of the usual entrants and congratulations are due to the following:
Novice Section
The Society Cup, awarded for the most points in section, – Lisa McFarlane (1).
Floral Classes
The Campbell D.S. Swan Challenge Cup for the best three vases of sweet peas, – Allison Harley; The Quogach Cup for best exhibit of sweet peas in classes 2-5, – Allison Harley; the John W. Mutch Memorial Trophy for the best exhibit of hybrid tea roses in section, – David Small; The Kames Cup (presented by Miss D N Marshall) for the best vase from the summer border, – Carol Anne Frankland; The Isabel Jarvie Memorial trophy for the best vase of hardy annuals, – Roger Connard; The John Hunter Cup for the best exhibit of gladioli in classes 24-28, – David Small; The Robert McKellar Challenge Cup for the best exhibit of three sprays in a vase in classes 31-33, – Jessica Timms; Sir Norman Lamont Bart Challenge Trophy Class 40, floral art, – Maragret Rose Lyle; David Crawford Cup for the winner of class 42, – Lorna Campbell (5).
Pot Plants
The Ascog Cup for best non-flowering exhibit in section, – Elaine McKirdy; the John Wallace Cup for the best flowering exhibit in section, – Beck Reid; Mr & Mrs Hector MacDonald Cup for the best fuchsia in section, – Carol Anne Frankland (6).
Hanging Basket/Planters
Bute Garden Furniture Trophy for best planter in show (class 100/101), – Elaine McKirdy; Adams Cup for winner of class 99 – Les Hill (7).
Fruit and Tomatoes
The James McMillan Trophy for best exhibit in section, – Liz McHugh.
Vegetables
The Lord Colum Crichton Stuart Challenge Cup to the winner of collection of vegetables, – Mark McCormack; The John McDougal Memorial Cup to the winner of 3 onions quality, – Mark McCormack; The J.F. McKerron Cup for best exhibit, classes 135-138, – Mark McCormack (9).
Handicrafts
The Helen Wood trophy to the best exhibit in section, – Jessie Gardner; The Woolahop Cup for best knitted soft toy class 161, – Frances Adam (10). Photography and Art
The Chorad Cup to the best exhibit in art, – Sally Thomas; The Russell Darling Cup for the best exhibit in classes 170-172, – Jessica Timms (11).
Baking and preserves
The Charles Muir Trophy for most points in section, – Wendy Wilkie; the Dr. Joyce Ritchie Trophy for Baking and Preserves for best exhibit in classes 173-178, – Maragret Baker (12).
Wine
The Barr Cup for the best exhibit in section, – Jacqueline Ford (14).
Teenage Sections – 13-17 Years
The Nancy Smith Cup to best exhibit in section, – William Richards; Carlaw Cup for the best exhibit in art – class 212 Anna Mochrie (15).
Older Childrens Section – 9-12 Years
John Reid Cup to best exhibit in section, – Anna Mochrie; A Hay Shield to the winner of class 217, – Magnus Green (16).
Older Childrens Section – 5-8 years
The Catherine Slaven Rae Shield to best exhibit in section, – Caprice Webber. Special Prizes
Royal Burgh of Rothesay Challenge Cup for most first prizes in the show, – Frances Adam; The James R. Stewart Trophy for best exhibit in dhow (2024 Sweet Peas), – Allison Harley.
The date for the 2025 show is Saturday, August 30once again in Isle of Bute Church.
