South Yorkshire Times, November 13th 1943
Cup Winning Chrysanthemums
Fine Specimens at Mexborough Show
Photograph: Mr. W. P. Turner (centre) President of the Montagu Hospital, with cup winners and officials at the Mexborough Chrysanthemum Show which he opened on Friday.
“One of the best shows ever.,” was the general opinion of Mexborough Chrysanthemum Society’s annual show held at the Free Christian Church at the week-end.
The show was opened on Friday by Mr. W. P. Turner, President of the Montagu Hospital, in aid of which it was held. Coun. H. Gough presided.
Coun. Gough said that the fact that the show was kept going was a fine tribute to its organisers, The intentions of the committee next year was to inaugurate classes for tuition in chrysanthemum growing, and he hoped many amateur gardeners would take advantage of these. Thus they would be able to obtain knowledge free of charge and very quickly; knowledge that had taken other men years to assimilate. The exhibits in his opinion were better than ever.
Coun. Gough welcomed Mr, Turner, saying that everyone concerned appreciated his presence there, as they appreciated his great interest in the Hospital.
Mr. Turner thanked Coun. Gough. It was a great pleasure to him to be able to offer some little encouragement to the people running the society. It was the fifth show they had held since the war and to him it was amazing that such a magnificent show could be staged under such conditions. For four years they had been told to grow fruit and vegetables and all Britain’s gardeners had made a grand contribution to the home front. He was sure Lord Woolton realised this. He was glad that they had not entirely scrapped all the lovely flowers which he described as ‘‘a mass of sheer loveliness.”
Mr. Turner said he thought as he saw them that if some of the rulers of Europe were half as innocent as these blooms what a different world it would be (applause). He hoped that next year they would meet under conditions of peace. The show reflected great credit on the society officials and the fact that they had kept it going was a tribute to their perseverance and energy. He complimented all the competitors, winners, and losers. Mr. Turner concluded by thanking all on behalf of the Hospital The Hospital was spending £3 every hour, £72 a day and £500 a week. It was only maintained by a great amount of voluntary work and no praise was too high for the voluntary workers. Mr. Turner then presented the Mason Cup to Mr. W. Mason and Mr. T, Parker, the Andrews Cup to Mr. E. Roberts, and the Schofield Cup to Mr. F, W, Fletcher. The National Chrysanthemum Society’s Certificate was won by Mason and Parker (open) and Mr. A. Pyott (cottagers)
THE AWARDS Winners were:—Open Classes: Three vases of Japs: 1 Mason and Parker; two vases of Japs: 1 Mason and Parker; one vase of three Japs: 1 Mason and Parker; two vases of exhibition incurves: 1 Mason and Parker; one vase of exhibition incurves: | F W Fletcher, 2 and 3 Mason and Parker; one vase of exhibition incurves (for effect): 1 Mason and Parker; three vases of singles: 1 Mason and Parker; three vases of incurving decoratives: 1 Mason and Parker, 2 F W Fletcher; three vases of reflexed decoratives: 1 Mason and Parker; one vase of reflexed decoratives (for effect): 1 Mason and Parker, 2 Fletcher; one group of mixed chrysanthemums: 1 Mason and Parker; one vase of chrysanthemums (for effect): 1 Mason and Parker, 2 W _ Hurrell, 3 J Wadsworth. Cottagers’ Classes: One vase of three Japs: 1 H Ball, 2 J Wadsworth; one vase of exhibition incurves: 1 E Roberts, 2 F W Fletcher, 3 A Pyott; one vase of exhibition incurves (for effect): 1 A Pyott, 2 P Hurrell, 3 E Roberts; one specimen plant of any variety: 1 J Wadsworth, 2 F W Fletcher, 3 H Needham; two vases of singles: 1 W Hurrell, 2 F W Fletcher; one vase of singles (for effect): 1 A Pyott, 2 E Roberts, 3 W Hurrell; one vase of reflexed decoratives (for effect): 1 E Roberts, 2 H Needham, 3 W Hurrell; one vase of six reflexed