The Society’s 191st show took place on Saturday, May 9 at the Primrose Hall in Horbury.
Hosted by The Wakefield and North of England Tulip Society, the show has become a staple within Wakefield’s calender.
The Tulip Society currently has over 250 members who share an interest in the historic flowers.
Founded in 1836, it is the oldest and only remaining tulip society in the UK and their show is an annual exhibition dedicated to celebrating and displaying the historic English Florist's Tulip.
This species exhibit the effects of Tulip Breaking Virus and the event is the only one worldwide at which these unique flowers can be seen.
A spokesperson for the Society said: “This year saw some trepidation due to the variability of the growing season this spring.
“Members had reported some of their English Florists’ tulips had finished flowering whilst others were still green in the bud.
“But there was a good turn out and several new members also brought their tulips to exhibit.”
In total, there were 33 exhibitors showing a range of tulip species.
The show was officially opened by Keith Eyre, a Patron of the Society, who took a break from judging the classes this year and later awarded the winners their trophies and prizes.
Members of the public were welcomed in the afternoon and enjoyed seeing the spectacle of the two long competition benches full of tulips with award cards for each class, distributed between seasoned exhibitors and new members.
The full list of winners:
Chris Gill (from Southowram) won the Local Silver Challenge Cup, the Silver Challenge Cup, the Stages Cup, the Jim Akers Memorial Goblet, and the Wendy Akers Trophy.
David Bonser (from Craster) won the Cochrane of Cults Vase.
Eeva Rumpunen (from Halmstad) won the G.S.Hunter Memorial Cup.
Emilie Wellfelt (from Halmstad) won a Glass Goblet.
James Runcie and Lucinda Bredin (from Fife) won the John Hardman Memorial Vase.
Jane Midgley (from Skipton) won the Perkin Trophy, the Gina Roozen Cup, the S.Knowles Cup, and the James AkersTrophy.
John Wainwright (from Bedale) won the Seedling Cup.
Judy Baker (from Hitcham) won the Silver Plate.
Margaret Christian (from Denby Dale) won the Brook Silver Challenge Cup and Glass Goblet, the Dudmaston Plate, the Keith Eyre Trophy, and the Albert Tear Memorial Trophy.
Teresa Clements (from Harrogate) won the Needham Memorial Cup, the FR Hunter Cup, and the Peter Emmett Trophy.
Ulf Hansson (from Halmstad) won the Turner Memorial Trophy.
The Society holds several tulip shows and events throughout each year.
Their next Annual General Meeting will take placeat Wrenthorpe Village Hall on October 3.
Those planning an event or activity relating to tulips or traditional florists’ flowers are also encouraged to contact the Society.
To become a member, contact [email protected].
1. Wakefield and North of England Tulip Society
Judy Baker and John Wainwright at the Wakefield and North of England Tulip Society's annual show. Photo: JOHN CLIFTON
2. The Wakefield and North of England Tulip Society
John Grimshaw and Colin Wilkin. Photo: JOHN CLIFTON
3. Keith Eyre
The show was officially opened by Keith Eyre, a Patron of the Society. Photo: JOHN CLIFTON
5. Primrose Hall
The show took place on Saturday, May 9 at the Primrose Hall in Horbury. Photo: JOHN CLIFTON
