Ladies Auxiliary’s annual Spring Rose Show a smashing success

Mr Howes’ red rose was named champion in the Ladies Auxiliary’s annual Spring Rose Show on the weekend.

Numbers grew from 341 entries in 2017 to almost 600 this year, which thrilled the organisers.

The Smithurst Theatre was an ocean of colour, with 134 red roses, 92 bi-colour, 87 pink and 49 in the colour not mentioned category. There were also yellow, orange, mauve, white, peace, double delight, floribunda, miniature and vases of roses. 

Rose show co-convenor Coralie Howe said it was “a wonderful display” and holding the event in the Smithurst gave the public “a better chance to visit”.

“The judge Judy Clarke was astounded on entering the venue and seeing what was ahead of her,” Ms Howe said. 

“Nobody envied her job of judging the amazing array.”

Convenors Val Howes and Ms Howe said  the dry weather followed by the rain “brought the roses to their peak”.

“Thanks once again for the support of the public, donors and our helpers,” Ms Howe said.

Champion rose: Graham Howes

White: Kim Shields 1,  Ellen Mitchell 2  

Bi-colour: Graham Howes 1, Doug Perrett 2

Pink: Graham Howes 1, Kim Shields 2  

Red: John Berry 1, Joan Stacey 2

Orange: Hilda Morris 1, Julia Withers 2  

Double Delight: Kristy-Lee Allan 1, Faye Sills 2

Mauve: Joan Stacy 1, Ann Laird 2

Yellow: Julia Withers 1, Coralie Howe 2  

Peace: Mackellar Care 1, Olwyn Jones 2 

Miniature: Ann Laird 1, Kim Shields 2

Colour not mentioned: Patricia Scott 1, Marie Conomos 2

Floribunda: Coralie Howe 1, Julia Withers 2

Vase of six Roses: John Berry 1, Graham Howes 2