Hundreds of orchid lovers descended on Hare Hatch Sheeplands in Berkshire as the Twyford garden centre played host to the fifth annual Spring Show staged by the Thames Valley Orchid Society. Maren Talbot (pictured right) from Heritage Orchids in Marlow was one of the exhibitors. 

The venue was filled with beautiful and colourful plants and experts were on hand to offer advice on the growing and care of orchids.

Best in show was won by Derek Long from Marlow with his Brassia verrucosa, which also won the best species class.

The award for best hybrid went to a Phalaenopsis shown by the Wessex Orchid Society.

Show manager Barry Cook said “It was a very successful show with the number of exhibits being up on last year by about 20 per cent.

“One of the most enjoyable things is the number of visitors we were able to help with their own plants. Some even brought them along for us to look at.”



Above: Caudia Whales from Ratcliffe Nurseries (right) offers advice to visitors Teresa Stapley and Theresa McDougall.

Meanwhile, a busy day for Sheeplands also saw the official opening of a new showroom by Garden Trends, selling garden furniture and barbecues.

“We like to claim that we have one of the biggest ranges of garden furniture in the UK,” said manager Gordon Parry.

To mark the opening staff were putting some of the barbecues to good use by offering visitors free snacks of sausages, chicken and kebabs.

Rob Scott from Sheeplands said: “It really was a day to remember. You could move from one location filled with dazzling and exotic orchids to another where a sizzling barbecue made you feel hungry. I am sure all our visitors enjoyed themselves.”

Gordon Parry (left) from Garden Trends snatches a brief rest during a busy day.