SPRING took a while to come this year - but its timely arrival filled Ambleside’s Daffodil & Spring Flower Show with a feast of fragrance and floral beauty last Saturday.

Sally Mulholland, best known for her famous award-winning summer garden, proved she keeps just as busy in winter when her majestic amaryllis won the coveted Blue Riband for Best Horticultural exhibit.

This year’s ‘up and down’ weather seemed to suit hardy helibores, while impressive arrays of indoor pot plants from orchids to immaculate white hyacinths more than compensated for a slight drop in daffodil entries.

However, among the most popular vote-catchers were the colourful arrays of red roses, blue hyacinth, yellow carnations and spring greenery depicting the topical ‘General Election’ category in the floral art class, with first prize going to Margaret Milburn of Sedbergh. Local primary school entries were well supported in card, decorated egg and Easter bunny classes, with the young Chen family of Peony, Oswin and Albion amongst the most enthusiastic and imaginative junior competitors.

Keen show exhibitor Leslie Johnson also praised the loyalty and reliability of regular competitors as the stalwarts of the show, often travelling considerable distances from all over South Lakeland to enter.

Visitors admired all the traditional entries of Ambleside’s village show, from Simnel cakes and tray bakes to exquisite handicraft and sugar craft exhibits. Elizabeth Crossland’s all-day demonstration of cold porcelain flower sculpting, using polymer clay, produced stunningly life-like creations for her fascinated spectators.

Ambleside Horticultural Society President Peter Howarth said the show had done well with a very good overall standard despite challenging conditions. However, there was disappointment at the few daffodil entries from local schools who had received bulbs specially for the children to grow, but praise for Hawkshead Primary School for its excellent results.

With very little time to rest on their laurels, society members are already preparing for the 73rd Summer Show at the Kelsick Centre which runs on August 8 and 9.