Drought, but Spring in the air at the Fair

Spring was in the air, despite the drought, at Saturday’s Presbyterian Spring Fair and Flower Show on Saturday.

Flower Show judge Dawn McInnes was full of admiration for the entries on display at the annual show.

Mrs McInnes, a long standing judge of many years experience, admitted she didn’t know what she would see at the show in the current conditions.

“Gardens are taking such a beating in this weather” she said.

But the gardeners came through with a colourful range of exhibits.

Piper Sally McFarland explained the workings of the bagpipes to Jacob Stuart, James Dhu and Grace Smith at the Presbyterian Spring Fair and Flower Show on Saturday. Piper Sally McFarland explained the workings of the bagpipes to Jacob Stuart, James Dhu and Grace Smith at the Presbyterian Spring Fair and Flower Show on Saturday.

SOME OF THE EXHIBITS: Single bulb champion Marilyn Collins, single bulb Jenni Hayne (second) and kids novelty (7-12 years) Isla Holman’s entry. SOME OF THE EXHIBITS: Single bulb champion Marilyn Collins, single bulb Jenni Hayne (second) and kids novelty (7-12 years) Isla Holman’s entry.

Jeanette Sadler, Karen Lorien and Helen Smith. Jeanette Sadler, Karen Lorien and Helen Smith.

Face painting artist Kate Dhu, with Ivy Boehm, Harmonie Dhu, Olli Dhu and Karolin Stuart. Face painting artist Kate Dhu, with Ivy Boehm, Harmonie Dhu, Olli Dhu and Karolin Stuart.

Phyllis Hannaford, Liz Robinson, Dawn McInnes and Judy Bremner. Phyllis Hannaford, Liz Robinson, Dawn McInnes and Judy Bremner.

Terry Sadler, Michelle Smith, Mary Whitehouse and Dawn McInnes at the Spring Fair. Terry Sadler, Michelle Smith, Mary Whitehouse and Dawn McInnes at the Spring Fair.

Enjoying Devonshire morning tea at the Spring Fair, Gunnedah visitors Kathie Sims, Beth Style and Robyn O’Gorman. Enjoying Devonshire morning tea at the Spring Fair, Gunnedah visitors Kathie Sims, Beth Style and Robyn O’Gorman.

Among the visitors to the Spring Fair, Kenoes van Lill, Gerry Allen and Arthur Melbourne. Among the visitors to the Spring Fair, Kenoes van Lill, Gerry Allen and Arthur Melbourne.

Ruth Smith and Reverend Sam Smith at the Spring Fair. Ruth Smith and Reverend Sam Smith at the Spring Fair.

Flower show judge Dawn McInnes with Elizabeth and Belinda Smith. Flower show judge Dawn McInnes with Elizabeth and Belinda Smith.

“It is great to see such a display – this is exceptionally good under the circumstances” said Mrs McInnes.

The flower show is part of the annual Presbyterian Spring Fair, but there was much more to enjoy at the fair, from craft stalls, face painting for the kids, barbecue and Devonshire teas as well as the famous lunch.

The impacts of the drought are being felt across the community, but there was spring in the air at the Fair.

Fair visitors came early and browsed the craft and displays in the church hall.

Results – 1st placegetters- Kids’ arrangement (7-12 years) Lizzy Smith, single rose Marilyn Collins, single bulb Marilyn Collins (champion), collection of bulbs Lyn Vaughan, shrub in flower (1 cut) Mary Whitehouse, other flower collection Lyn Vaughan, single other flower Joan Burrell, flowers in craft – high school Micayla Smith, kids’ arrangement (7-12 years) Micayla Smith, junior arrangement (under 6 years) Armanie Flett, kids novelty (7-12 years) Anna Stuart, junior novelty (under 6 years) Heidi Stuart, anything but flowers Noeline Kiss, arrangement spring annuals Mary Whitehouse, pot in flower Judy Wilson, fruit and foliage Mary Whitehouse, dinner table arrangement Mary Whitehouse, as you like it Lyn Vaughan (champion), senior arrangement June Jones, men’s chocolate cake Sam Smith, men’s other cakes Isla Holman (junior).

Second placegetters – single bulb Jenni Hayne, collection of bulbs Joan Burrell, shrub in flower (1 cut) Jean Cameron, other flower collection Joan Burrell, single other flower Lyn Vaughan, flowers in craft high school Grace Smith, junior arrangement (under 6 years) Belinda Smith, kids novelty (7-12 years) Isla Holman, junior novelty (under 6 years) Belinda Smith, anything but flowers Mary Whitehouse, arrangement spring annuals Renee Richie, pot plant in flower Mary Allen, as you like it Judy Wilson, senior arrangement Gladys Harman, chocolate cake Doug Whan.

Third placegetters – spring bulb collection Beck Fordan, shrub in flower (1 cut) Lyn Vaughan, other flower collection Joan Burrell, flowers in craft high school Grace Smith, kids arrangement (7-12 years) Isla Holman, kids arrangement (7-12 years Anna Stuart, junior arrangement (under 6 years) Harrison Willemse, anything but flowers Renee Richie, arranged spring annuals Renee Richie, senior arrangement Margaret Shaw.