THERE was an outstanding standard in the entries featured in the floral art tent at this year’s Launceston Show, as those with heaps of experience and individuals who are fairly new to the scene grabbed prizes and awards for their exhibits.

A swirl of colour and vibrancy met the eyes of exhibitors, show committee persons, judges and show-goers alike as they entered the floral art tent. There was no doubt that competition was going to be stiff, with such a high standard and quality of entries.

At 4pm, the trophy and awards ceremony took place, inviting both familiar and new faces to accept prizes for their talented work.

Exhibitors and their families were told: “If it wasn’t for you, there would be no show.”

Maggie Colwill was then introduced to present the awards to exhibitors, who was delighted to be given the role. She said: “I didn’t know this was going to happen until a few days ago.

“The exhibits are amazing, as always. I think it’s not about arranging anymore, it’s art — it’s all very sculptural.

“I look forward to presenting the cups to you, and thank you.”

With many a round of applause echoing from the flower tent, the Post was given the opportunity to catch up with some of the winners.

Alison Penno, a florist from Launceston’s Flower Scene shop, has been competing at Launceston Show since she was a little girl.

Although she had only spent a short time at the show between receiving her trophies and awards, she said that the show was looking ‘exciting’ so far.

Her winning entry, a sculpture made with corrugated cardboard, incorporating a selection of fine, vibrant sunflowers into the model, won the ‘Art Knows No Limits’ class.

She explained that it took her ‘a couple of hours’ to put the sculpture together. She said: “We have to plan beforehand. We’re given a title, and you’ve got to come up with the inspiration. The title for this was ‘Art Knows No Limits’, and I knew I wanted to do something different, so I wanted to create something quite structural.”

Alison hasn’t got any more shows or competitions coming up this year, but said that she does other shows for forestry arranging.

There was also success for a family from Launceston who stunned the judges as they picked up two cups and a rosette between them.

With more than 70 years’ difference between the youngest and eldest, three generations — Ken Jones, his daughter Teresa Moore and her daughter ten-year-old Keira Moore — competed alongside each other to pick up some impressive wins.

Ken, aged 82, started competing in flower and plant shows back in the 1970zs. He said: “My first show was back in the 70s where I won the pot plant section down at Royal Cornwall, and I have been showing ever since!”

Ken said he had previously competed at the flower show in Tintagel in the 70s with his dahlias and also at the Plymouth show in the 80s, picking up a number of silver and bronze awards. He now continues his showing success winning numerous prizes at similar competitions and shows in Holsworthy, Callington and Lifton, but said: “I have had to cut back a bit, but I love growing flowers because it is really interesting and you get some nice colours.”

Daughter Teresa said it was because of her father she had gotten into the art of growing flowers and was pleased her daughter was following them both into it. She said: “I used to do children’s entries when I was about Keira’s age.

“It is great to be able to come to the show with the family, it is quite funny actually because my father and I are in competition with each other in the same classes, which makes things interesting.”

Speaking about their success, Teresa added: “It has been great that we have had an even spread of trophies and a first for Keira as it means no one is left out and we all go home with a win!”

The family assured the Post they would return to the show again to compete against not only each other but also the other creative exhibits that the show will inevitably attract.

See this week’s Post for the Floral Art results.