20 Feb Interview with prize winners, RB & HD, 10.2.2020 (2)

RB – We first entered Knowsley Flower Show in 2009, though had been going to others before that (i.e. Lark Lane and Croxteth).

HD – We were encouraged by friends to enter and went as the Lark Lane show stopped that year.

RB- I entered some vegetables and dahlias but we only took a few things the first year while we familiarised ourselves with it. I won a few classes and we’ve been entering every year since then; although we are back to doing lots of other shows as well.

HD – I like Knowsley as the exhibits are a really good standard for a small show.

RB – My motivation is winning; I’m very competitive and I’ve won something every year.

HD – My motivation initially was that it was an activity we could do together and I enjoy growing. I’ve been keen to grow more and varied things. I’m not motivated by prize winning as much, but rather I like to exhibit something different and interesting for the spectators to see. I improved after the first show, although it’s hard to pick out the winner sometimes (in mixed displays) as the judges aren’t judging like for like. Judging is an individual’s opinion, though I think it’s good at Knowsley.

RB – I’ll work hard to improve in a class if I don’t win. For instance when I saw the Master Gardener class at Knowsley (i.e. a mixed class of vegetables, pot plants and cut flowers) I wanted to win it, and subsequently did.

HD – Similarly, Knowsley have the Freda Gabrielsen Class in cut flowers; when I first entered I came 3^rd, so I wanted to do better. I came 2^nd the year after and 1^st the year after that. There’s a friendly rivalry with other growers as we see them at various shows.