This year we returned to Primrose Hall, Horbury, a smaller venue than that used in the previous two years. Despite fears that the hot Spring would mean few blooms remained to show, thirty exhibitors were registered and 331 English Florists’ Tulips and 126 Dutch were exhibited, way beyond what was expected.

Over the past few years, growers and judges have spoken of a general decline in the quality of the tulips on show. It was hard to tell if this was a valid observation or possibly nostalgia, but this year there was a notable upturn in the condition and markings of the flowers and many people remarked on the fine quality of the entries that made it a particularly good show.

Once again, the show came at the end of what was an early season for some, who said their English Florists’ tulips, which are late flowering, were already over by the show date. However, contrary to expectations, there was a good turnout of English tulips but the number of Dutch tulips, in the vase classes, was significantly lower than usual with no entries in the Class for a vase of 18 tulips and only one entry in the class for nine tulips. The latter, a vase of fresh, glossy, burgundy coloured tulips, T. ‘National Velvet’, being given a card for second place as one of the flowers had seven petals, which was a great pity as at first glance they looked very impressive.

Some years there is a lucky grower who has local conditions that are just right for producing a good set of tulips at the right stage on the right day, this year that person was Ulf Hansson, who arrived from Halmstad with a large suitcase containing a box of exquisite flowers from Sweden. He wasn’t alone, Eeva Rumpunen also brought her prize-winning tulips and those grown by Emilie Wellfelt.

As the two judges, Keith and Jane, started to judge, there were so few of us there that Jane agreed to give a masterclass in judging and we gathered round to hear her commentary about their deliberations. Without being made too despondent about the faults exhibited by our flowers, we all learned a lot.

Dave Bonser won both trophies this year, the Wakefield Vase for most points in the show and the Billy Tear Cup for Best Bloom, a Goldfinder breeder.

It is always a delight to see these special flowers with growers often battling the odds to produce some amazing flowers for the show and this year was no exception. Despite the recent cooler weather and late season more than 30 exhibitors displayed tulip blooms at the Annual Show in Ossett, moved back one day due to the Coronation and a special class this year in honour of King Charles. The show was opened by Professor Jonathan Seville, a descendent of Sam Barlow the eminent Victorian tulip grower after whom the bizarre tulip ‘Sam Barlow’ was named.  Judy Baker was particularly successful with a T.  ‘Agbrigg’ feather for Overall Premier Bloom. Florence Bell winning the Coronation Class and the Elizabeth Smith Medal for Best Exhibit by Exhibitor under 18 years of age.

This year we had a late season and many growers said their tulips were not ready for the Annual Show, so a good turnout was expected for the Small Show. However, although the number of exhibitors and flowers almost reached pre-covid levels, tulip fire ruined many collections this year which meant the total number of English Florists’ tulips shown over both shows was significantly reduced.

Chris Gill, one of the two main contenders at the 188^th Annual Show, had a very successful day. He won the Wakefield Vase for most points over all eleven classes and although the Premier Blooms came from three different exhibitors, his T. ‘Talisman’, flamed, won the Billy Tear Trophy for the overall Premier Bloom. Well done Chris!