First-time gardener beats competition in flower show

NEWCOMER Paul Snow wiped out the competition by storming to success in his latest floral show.

The 68-year-old, of Station Road, Cheddleton, regularly enters shows in http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/mytownstafford">Stafford, Leek, Ashbourne and Cellarhead, but has never previously taken part in the Stoke-on-Trent Floral and Garden Produce Show.

But the 60th annual event proved to be one he will never forget after taking prizes in each class he entered.

Mr Snow took home 12 first places, 10 of which were in dahlia classes, five second places and two third places.

The retired groundsman said: "I've never entered this show before, because I have always had other ones on the same day, but I am pleased with the results.

"There isn't a dahlia category I have entered which I haven't had a prize in."

Mr Snow, grows about 300 to 400 plants each year, showing less than half.

He said: "The secret is attending to them regularly throughout the year and giving them the correct attention at the right time. I enjoy showing them, but the best bit for me is growing them."

Mr Snow's flowers were among about 150 exhibits at the Tunstall Park show.

Other classes included chrysanthemums, roses, wine, onions and potatoes.

Another prizewinner was cacti-grower Colin Abell who entered yesterday's show after a break of six years.

The 46-year-old maths teacher has between 500 and 600 plants at his home in Brampton Close, Endon. He entered 10 cacti and succulent categories, bagging three wins, a second and four thirds.

He said: "I am pleased with the results as there has been strong competition. It has been a while since I entered because I have been busy since I had my daughter, but she wanted to get involved, so that encouraged me too."

Alice, his seven-year-old daughter, was also pleased with her efforts, coming third in the jam tarts section.

She said: "I enjoyed making them and would like to enter again."

Doug Green, aged 79, from Tunstall, enjoyed success in the sweet pea class.

He said: "It is the first time I've ever entered and I came second . I'm chuffed considering I only did it forfun."

Visitors were treated to a host of family activities. Inside the show marquee, there were stalls from organisations including the North Staffordshire Allotment Network and the North Staffordshire Bonsai Society.

Members from Dolly's Lane Allotments, Burslem, were selling produce donated from their show on Saturday.

John Ellis, committee member, aged 63, of High Lane, Burslem, said: "It is the first year we have been to the show, but it has been good for us to share our produce and people have been coming up asking questions and for advice."

Among the young visitors was eight-year-old Roshean Owen, from Tunstall, who said: "I like looking at the flowers and the massive vegetables. I grow some vegetables in the garden at home, but they are nothing like the ones here."

Pauline Withington, show organiser, from Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said entries were down slightly this year due to the bad summer, but standards were still impressive.

She said: "The pot plants were very good and over the last few years the floral art has really built up."

The decades-old show, previously held in Hanley Park, was saved from the axe last year after the council said it had no plans to hold the event due to fluctuating numbers.

Community groups rallied round until it was announced the show would be held as part of Tunstall Park's 2008 centenary celebrations