A youngster admiring one of the exhibits. A previously unpublished image.

What must surely be the most looked-forward-to show of the year in the local horticulturists' calendar - the annual spring show by Burnley Horticultural Society - lived up to its reputation as a winter gloom dispeller at the week-end. The show at the Municipal College, provided a riot of floral colour which owed much to the ideal growing conditions which have prevailed in recent weeks. And the show attracted nearly 200 entries for the 39 classes - not a record, but, although an average tally, providing a better-than-ever quality standard. Apart from 23 floral classes the show also featured four domestic classes, in which a novel new feature was a class for a bread plait - on the style of French plaited rolls. The 13 children's classes ranged from floral entries to toys and paintings. This show for the youngsters was enlivened with a colourful Easter egg "flavour;" the hard-boiled egg paintings showing a remarkable inventive flair.

Local entrants carried off all the main awards, with the exception of a miniature trophy awarded for design work, which went to Mrs E Hargreaves of Carr Hall Road, Nelson. The Major Baron Trophy for most points judged from 20 classes went to Mr Ian Clough of Briercliffe Road; the Hartley Cup for the best exhibit (from 13 classes) to Mr H. Howarth of Stephenson Drive; the Crackles Cup for best exhibit (from 11 classes) to Mr I. Clough. In the children's section the Clampett Cup the best exhibit in the floral and twig arrangement went to Miss C. Holsgrove of Clevelands Road; the Potting Shed Cup went to David Sim of Ivy Bank School. A new miniature trophy in memory of the late Mrs H. McManus (who devoted a lot of her spare time as a behind-the-scenes worker for the society) went to Miss A. Hartley of Kiddrow Lane. A miniature trophy for most points in the domestic classes went to Mrs E, Shalliker of Hill Crest Avenue.

Mr Albert Hartley, for the society said the number of floral arrangement entries was lower than usual. He was full of praise for the ingenuity displayed in many of the children's classes and the strong support received in domestic sections. Burnley's Parks Department staged an eye-catching colourful floral display at the entrance to the show. Judges for the event were - decorative, Mrs M. Lockhead, Blackburn; bulbs and flowers, W. Speight, Padiham; Domestic, Mrs Berryman, Read; and art D. Holden Nelson. Prizes were presented by the Mayoress of Burnley, Mrs V. Booth who was accompanied by the Mayor, Councillor Frank Booth.
The article gives a full list of prizewinners.