The Reay and District Garden Club’s annual show held in Reay Village Hall last Saturday was well supported with a colourful array of plants, flowers, fruit and vegetables.
Together with tables of mouth-watering baking and produce, it made an attractive welcome for the judges in the morning and for those who came along in the afternoon.
The trophy winners from this year’s Reay and District Gardening Club annual show.
A special flower arrangement category was made to mark Dounreay’s 70th anniversary and pupils from the local school got involved in the show’s baking and craft categories.
Lorna Mackenzie judged the Floral Arrangements and the Children’s exhibits. Pat Groves judged the Produce and Baking, Liam Bain was the judge for the Pot Plants, Cut Flowers and Vegetables.
Organisers were encouraged to see some new names on the entry labels in all sections and the return of some former supporters with plentiful exhibits!
They added that overall entry numbers were back up to the average after an all-time low figure reported last year.
Reay Primary School pupils had worked hard to produce artwork to enhance the show atmosphere. A stunning artistic display of “Ladybird on Flower” (Primary 1- 4) and “Sunflowers” (Primary 5-7) together with the contribution from the Early Learning Centre children, “How does your Garden Grow?” added greatly to the atmosphere of the show.
This Dounreay 70th anniversary celebration was marked ‘best exhibit’.
Refreshments again served within an area of the main hall provided an opportunity for everyone to rest their weary feet and chat about the weather and the wonders of the exhibits.
The trophies were presented by Morag Mackay, whose father, Donald Mackay, was a member of Reay and District Garden Club from 1989 and treasurer for many years.
Reay and District Garden Club meets on the first Wednesday of the month in Reay Village Hall, with a varied programme of illustrated talks, discussions and social events throughout the year.
New members and friends are always welcome. More information can be found on Facebook – Reay & District Gardening Club.
The school children’s ‘Garden Big/Beastie’ section.
Results
Section 1: Pot Plants
One Begonia: No entries.
One Cactus: 1 R Shallcross; 2 S Harrison.
One Succulent: 1 J Bingham; 2 S Harrison; 3 R Shallcross.
One Pot Plant, Flowering: 1 L Campbell; 2 M Ross; 3 R Shallcross.
One Pot Plant, Foliage: 1 K Reay; 2 S Harrison.
Three Pot Plants: No entries.
Patio Container: 1 Y Morris; 2 D Wakeford; 3 R Shallcross.
Section 2: Cut Flowers
Three Dahlias (Large/medium): 1 S Simpson; 2 D Manson.
Three Dahlias (Miniature): 1 S Mackenzie; 2 Y Morris; 3 K Reay.
Six Sweet Peas: 1 M Mackenzie; 2 Y Morris; 3 K Reay.
One Gladioli: 1 K Crocket; 2 K Reay.
One Rose: 1 E Sutherland; 2 D Manson; 3 K Reay.
Three Sprays Roses: No entries.
One Begonia Bloom: 1 I Mackenzie; 2 D Manson.
Six Pansies: No entries.
Six Pinks: No entries.
Four Marigolds (Calendula): 1 K Crocket; 2 D Manson.
Four Marigolds (French): 1 A Campbell; 2 L Campbell; 3 L Innes.
Six Perennials: 1 Yvonne Morris; 2 K Crocket.
Six Annuals: 1 K Crocket.
Six Annuals, same variety: 1 M Mackenzie; 2 H Wilson; 3 K Crocket.
Six Perennials, same variety: 1 Y Morris; 2 K Crocket; 3 D Manson.
Three Flowering Shrubs, variety: 1 K Crocket; 2 K Mackenzie.
Section 3: Vegetables
Four Shallots: 1 D Manson.
Three Onions: 1 J Mackenzie; 2 D Manson; 3 F Groves.
Three Carrots, Long: 1 D Manson; 2 F Groves; 3 K Crocket.
Three Carrots, Stump: 1 J Mackenzie; 2.D Manson; 3 J Bingham.
Two Beetroot: 1 J Bingham; 2 S Simpson; 3 D Manson.
Two Parsnips: 1 F Groves.
Two Turnips: 1 D Manson; 2 I Sutherland.
Six Pods Peas: 1 D Manson; 2 J Bingham; 3 K Crocket.
Six Pods Broad Beans: 1 K Crocket; 2 D Manson; 3 J Coghill.
Four Tomatoes, large: 1 F Groves.
Six Tomatoes small: 1 I Sutherland; 2 Yvonne Morris; 3 D Manson.
Three Potatoes, round: 1 H Wilson; 2 D Manson; 3 Kirsty Crocket.
Three Potatoes, long: 1 D Wakeford; 2 D Manson; 3 K Crocket.
Three Leeks: 1 F Groves; 2 Kirsty Crocket.
One Lettuce: No entries.
Any other Vegetable: 1 J Tipple; 2 D Manson. 3 D Wakeford.
Plate of Soft Fruit: 1 J Bingham; 2 H Wilson.
Plate of Top Fruit: 1 J Bingham; 2 H Wilson; 3 J Bingham.
Collection of Six Vegetables: 1 D Manson; 2 F Groves; 3 H Wilson.
Wonky Vegetable: 1 I Sutherland; 2 K Crocket; 3 P Scullion.
Dounreay at 70 marked with this special arrangement.
Section 4: Floral Arrangements
“70th Anniversary of Dounreay”: 1 Yvonne Morris; 2 Jane Mackenzie; 3 Evelyn Mowat.
Fresh Foliage Arrangement: 1 Emily Sutherland; 2 Evelyn Mowat; 3 Yvonne Morris.
Arrangement in an Unusual Object: 1 Emily Sutherland; 2 Yvonne Morris; 3 Evelyn Mowat.
Arrangement in a Cup and Saucer: 1 Pauline Scullion; 2 Ester Spratt.
Section 5: School Children
“Garden Bug/Beastie” made from fruit/vegetables: 1 Cameron Morris; 2 Isla Sutherland; 3 Keeva Kerr and Isabelle Aldridge.
Section 6: Produce
Rhubarb Jam: 1 S Mackenzie; 2 A Mackay; 3 P Scullion.
Blackcurrant Jam: 1 J Bingham; 2 S Mackenzie; 3 P Scullion.
Raspberry Jam: 1 C Steven; 2 J Tipple; 3 P Scullion.
Strawberry Jam: 1 C Steven; 2 A Mackay; 3 P Scullion.
Gooseberry Jam: 1 A Mackay; 2 P Scullion.
Lemon Curd: 1 Y Morris; 2 M Ross; 3 P Scullion.
Marmalade: 1 P Scullion; 2 J Tipple; 3 A Mackay.
Jelly, any kind: 1 J Tipple; 2 A Mackay; 3 C Steven.
Chutney: 1 M McCoustra; 2 A Mackay; 3 P Scullion.
Section 7: Baking
Chocolate Sponge: 1 P Scullion; 2 A Walker; 3 L Tunn.
Fruit Loaf: 1 Y Morris; 2 A Walker; 3 A Mackay.
Small Pizza: 1 J Tipple; 2 L Innes; 3= A Mackay, L Innes.
Four Oatcakes: 1 A Mackay: 2 A Walker; 3 L Innes.
Four Shortbread: 1 A Mackay; 2 A Walker; 3 L Innes.
Pre-school children got involved with the making and baking.
Children’s Baking
School Children
Two Decorated Cupcakes (Dounreay themed): 1 Lauryn Sutherland; 2 Daisy Sutherland; 3 Lauren Tunn.
Three Rock Cakes: 1 Lauryn Sutherland; 2 Hughie Tunn; 3 Lauren Tunn.
Pre-School Children
A Decorated Flower Biscuit.: 1 Finn Tunn; 2 Isla Sutherland; 3 Callie Mackay.
Four “Top Hats”: 1 Isla Sutherland; 2 Finn Tunn; 3 Callie Mackay.
Children’s Art Exhibits
P1-4 “Ladybird on Flower”: 1 Reggie Hodgson; 2 Sonnie Hodgson; 3 Alex Macdonald.
P5–7 “Sunflowers”: 1 Isla Sutherland; 2 James H; 3 Meya Jaworska.
ELC “How does your Garden Grow?”: 1 Brodie Mackay; 2 Kit Sutherland; 3 Oona Gunn.
Reay and District Garden Club Annual Show: Trophy Winners 2025
Anniversary Shield for the most points in Horticultural Sections Nos. 1, 2 and 3: D Manson.
Reay Garden Association Cup for the Reay Garden Club member with the most points in Sections Nos. 1, 2 and 3: Kirsty Crocket.
Grace Hay Memorial Rose Bowl for the Best Exhibit in Sections Nos 1, 2 & 3 (Onions): J Mackenzie.
Bruce Gunn Challenge Cup for the most points in the Vegetable Section: D Manson.
The Fivers Pot for the Best Exhibit in the Vegetable Section (Onions): J Mackenzie.
Fuller Adams Trophy for the Best Collection of Vegetables : D Manson.
The Leslie Morse Memorial Trophy for the Best Peas: D Manson.
The Gibigill Shield for the most points in the Floral Arrangement Section: Emily Sutherland.
The Sandside Trophy for the Best Exhibit in the Floral Arrangement Section (70th Anniversary of Dounreay): Yvonne Morris.
The Dowding Plate for the most points in the Cut Flower Section: Kirsty Crocket.
Alan Pilkington Challenge Cup for the Best Exhibit in the Cut Flower Section (Rose): Emily Sutherland.
The James Gunn Memorial Trophy for the Best Rose: Emily Sutherland.
The Shallcross Challenge Cup for the most points in the Pot Plant Section: Ruth Shallcross.
The Thurso Shield for the Best Exhibit In the Pot Plant Section (Succulent): John Bingham.
The Mrs Pilkington Cup for the most points in the Baking Section: Annie Mackay.
The Ian F Hay Memorial Trophy for the most points in the Produce Section: Annie Mackay.
Macpherson Cup for the Best Exhibit in the Baking Section (Shortbread): Annie Mackay.
Catherine Potts Memorial Trophy for the Best Exhibit in the Produce Section (Blackcurant Jam): John Bingham.
Kintail Cup: Open to school children up to 13 years – Section 5 (A Garden Bug/Beastie): Cameron Morris.
School Children Baking Shield: Lauren Sutherland.
Pre-school Children Baking Shield: Finn Tunn/ Isla Sutherland.
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