The Bideford & District Cacti & Pot Plant Club, and our joint Show Manager, Mike Avis, welcomed the NBS to Bideford for our annual show. The venue, as usual, was The Pannier Market. The market had undergone a make over and the many of the stalls had canopies that gave the event a continental feel.
   The show was an outstanding success drawing the largest number of entries ever. This was very welcome after last years slight disappointment. One of the reasons was that all the regular exhibitors were able to show this time which was bolstered by a member from South Wales and two novice exhibitors.
   Our judge this year was Bob Bryce, who with his family, had travelled down from Blackburn to be with us. We hope they enjoyed their visit to our show and North Devon. His efforts were much appreciated coupled with his constructive comments.
   A highlight was the fact that there were 68 pots on display which included some very unusual varieties not normally seen on show benches plus others that had been grown outside in member’s gardens. There is more to begonias than just the much loved double tuberous plants.
   It was good that the awards were spread around with no one member dominating. Ian Rhys Williams from Neath, Glamorgan, took Best Exhibit in the Show, Lakin Earl, High, Somerset, Best Pot, David Payne, Kingsteignton, Devon, Best Bloom and a local member, David Elliott, just piped the pack to take most points.
   The area cannot afford to be complacent and must do all it can to encourage new exhibitors to come along and try their hand. Next year show is already fixed for Sunday 14^th.August...Start planning now!