Entries at popular Bothwell horticultural show ‘exceptional’

Sep 2 2010 by Alastair McNeill, Hamilton Advertiser

TRIBUTES were paid at Bothwell Horticultural Society’s annual show at the weekend to president Bill Grimmond who died in June.

Society president Avril Clark, welcomed a large audience to the opening ceremony at Bothwell Parish Church hall and spoke about Bill’s ‘sad and unexpected death’.

Bill, who died aged 82, had served the society very well in the posts of secretary for many years and latterly as president.

He had contributed much to the cause of gardening, not only in the local community but also served on the Scottish Gardeners Forum where his contribution had been recognised.

Mrs Clark introduced Emeritus Professor Ross Lorimer who resides in Bothwell, and invited him to open the show.

Professor Lorimer’s interest in studying medicine came from a family history and the early days of the health service.

During a distinguished medical career, professor Lorimer was renowned for his work as a physician and cardiologist in the University of Glasgow teaching wing at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary where he stayed until his retiral. Thereafter, he was President of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons and also worked for the Scottish Office, chairing committees.

Professor Lorimer thanked the president and committee for their invitation to open the show. Since he was raised in Uddingston, he said he was delighted to be addressing an audience in Bothwell.

His father was a keen gardener and grew vegetables, including many shallots, which to this day he still has an aversion.

He singled out for praise the role of the lowly earthworm in improving soil conditions which produce exceptionally good plant specimens.

Professor Lorimer also praised the society for promoting good horticulture in the community which had resulted in a delightful display of flowers and vegetables.

Show secretary, Ken Hamilton, invited professor Lorimer’s wife Fiona to present the trophies to the main prize-winners as well as to the successful pupils in the school’s poster competition.

Mr Hamilton this week described the 2010 show as “one of the best years ever”.

He pointed out that the amount of entries had increased and the quality of entries in many categories were “exceptional”.

The society was also delighted to receive a new trophy for photographs.

Maria Sherry donated a trophy in memory of her late husband Brian who was a keen village photographer.

The Brian Sherry Memorial Trophy was awarded jointly to Lindsay Robertson and George Waterston.

Mrs Lorimer accepted a bouquet of flowers, very professionally presented by five-year old Ellie Gray as a token of thanks from the society.

Proceedings came to a close with a vote of thanks to all by society vice president Morag Smith.

The main prize winners are as follows: Section I, pot plants flowering, The Ralston Trophy - Tom Goodsir; Section II, cut flowers, Dr William M Buchanan Cup - William Miller; Section III, Chrysant/Dahlia, The Edward Darroch Trophy - Dr Ken Chisholm; Section IV, Decorative, Dr J Forrest-Hamilton Trophy - Mrs Margaret Miller; Section V, Pot Plants, Foliage & Fruit, The J Wilson Paterson Cup - Tom Goodsir; Section VI, Multi-Pot Plant Display, The Derek A Harley Trophy - John Willis; Section VII, Cacti and Bonsai, The Joseph Clark Memorial Trophy - Ian Wilson; Section VIII, Roses, The McGirr Rose Cup - Colin McDowall; Section IX, Vegetables, The Violet Rose Cup - Richard Birkett; Best Exhibit, Vegetables, National Vegetable Society Medal - Richard Birkett (leeks); section XII, Home Industries, baking, The Tunnock Cup - Emily Barr; Section XII, Home Industries, Preserves, The Chapman Cup - Avril Clark; Section XII, Home Industries, handicrafts, The Mrs J K Chisholm Cup - Elspeth Russell; Section XIII - Painting Oil, The John Wilson Memorial Trophy - no exhibits; Section XIII, Painting, Water Colour, The Mary Foulis Quaich - George Waterston; Section XIII, Painting, Any Other Medium, The Fleming Cup - Elizabeth Ann Stewart; Section XIV, Photography, The Robert F Miller Trophy - George Waterston; Section XIV- Photography, the Brian Sherry Memorial Trophy - joint winners: Lindsay Robertson and George Waterston; Section XV, Juniors (10 yrs and under), The Ross McKellar Trophy - winner Jennifer Docherty, runner-up: Cara Richardson; Section XV, Juniors (between 11 and 15 years), The Heather Wardrop Trophy - winner Laura Docherty, runner-up Matthew McDonald; Section XVI, Bothwell Master Gardener, Master Gardener Trophy - Richard Birkett; Section XVIII, Floral Art, The Attwood Taylor Cup - Moira Hall; School children’s Poster Competition, junior classes: 1 Lucy Hashem, Bothwell Primary School, 2 Lucy Docherty, St Bride’s Primary School, 3 Anna King, St Bride’s Primary School; senior classes: 1 Millie McCormack, Bothwell Primary School, 2 Stephanie Hoolihan, St Bride’s Primary School, 3 Amy Johnson, Bothwell Primary School.