A UNIQUE gardening club is ‘shell-shocked’ after being hailed the best RHS exhibitor in the country last year.
Cheshire Bonsai Society won a gold medal and best exhibit in the flower marquee at the 2022 RHS Tatton Flower Show.
Members were invited to the RHS awards ceremony in London and couldn’t believe it when they received two prestigious honours.
The society won the Holford Medal, awarded to the best exhibit of plants and/or flowers staged during the year by amateurs.
Minutes later, they were named as winners of the Lawrence Medal, which is given to the best RHS display of the year.
Matt Wood, membership secretary of Cheshire Bonsai Society, said: “We're all still a bit shell shocked really, didn't expect to win the Lawrence too.
“This is an enormous achievement for any exhibitor, but for a society of amateurs, it is almost unheard of.
“The Lawrence medal is the highest honour an exhibitor can receive for their display and we won it!
“This has massively raised the profile of the society as well as rewarded and validated us for our hard work over the last 23 years at Tatton.
“The Holford medal is awarded to the best exhibit of plants and/or flowers staged during the year by an amateur or group of amateurs at one of the RHS shows, meaning that Cheshire Bonsai Society had surpassed the efforts of even the largest national societies.”
Their award-winning display featured three Tokonoma displays, 10 display poles and around 25 Bonsai trees along with a collection of accent plants.
Judges awarded the society their 13th gold medal and best exhibit in the floral marqueee.
Matt said: “Simon Jones our resident Bonsai expert deserves to be given credit for all of his work over the years.
“He has led the development of the display, provided beautiful trees and guided the members for decades to develop their trees to a showable standard.
“Credit is also due to Elizabeth Scott, who founded the society in 1987, and whose commitment and generosity has built it into what it is today.”
The national recognition has now spurred members to enter the world’s greatest flower show.
Matt said: “This has set us on track for our biggest challenge so far.
"Cheshire Bonsai Society will be heading down to exhibit at The RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May, so watch this space!"
The society meets on the third Monday of each month at Little Budworth Village Hall at 7.30pm.
A workshop will be held on March 20.
Guest speaker Duncan Hield will give a talk on Taxus (Yew) as Bonsai on April 17.
Resident expert Simon Jones will share his knowledge and expertise on Junipers as Bonsai on May 15.
For further details visit cheshirebonsaisociety.co.uk
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