FIVE days of radiant spring sunshine just before Ambleside’s Daffodil and Spring Flower Show did wonders to bring out the best in spring colour at last weekend’s event at the Kelsick Centre.

Not only were the daffodils, hyacinth, amaryllis, hellebore and flowering shrubs in brilliant full bloom, but spectacular displays in floral art added even more colour. Judges had a hard time with some excellent entries but Langdale Wives’ Group stole the show with their clever interpretation of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, complete with Blackpool’s Tower Ballroom and glitter ball depicted cleverly in flowers. It won the judge’s much coveted comment: “That’s a 10 out of 10 from me!”

The Westmorland and North Lancs Blue Riband winner for best horticultural exhibit in the show went to Leslie Johnson’s white hyacinth “Carnegie”, with its five immaculate and fragrant blooms. To achieve such perfection on the day demanded plenty of experienced care and attention from Leslie as temperatures fluctuated: “I had the hyacinth inside – then out it went into the greenhouse, then back inside again last week.” he said.

“The sunshine couldn’t have come at a better time for the show, but it’s always difficult to get everything primed to peak perfection on the day, especially after the winter we’ve had.”

Children’s crafts were well supported, and cookery classes too, with Helen Brown’s chocolate ‘Basket of Easter Treats’ taking centre stage for the amount of admiring comments as visitors marvelled at its painstakingly woven latticework basket piped in chocolate buttercream icing. Floral art creations were equally ingenious and inventive, especially Margaret Milburn’s mirrored floral ‘Reflections’ and Jean Sowerby’s ‘Rivers and Canals’.

Horticultural Society President Peter Howarth praised the sheer variety of plants and shrubs, especially after such a challenging winter.