In keeping with recent years, the quality shone through despite the lack of sunshine along with bad weather this year.

Chairman Les Craib was impressed with proceedings as the Reid Hall provided the venue for keen competition and interest from the public over the two-day event.

"This year's show is excellent and is up to the standard we have come to expect from Forfar, carrying on the quality from previous years," commented Les."There has been a slight drop in annuals - flowers that start to seed in January and are ready now.

"The pot plants section has been excellent and has been boosted by some new exhibitors this year, while the cut flowers have been outstanding considering the weather we have had.

"Our roses have been hit with the weather but the baking and handicrafts sections showed some outstanding quality."

Les continued: "The vegetable section has had another fine showing and special mention must go to Alistair Gray with his collection of vegetables. In all my 45 years involved, Alistair is the best grower I have seen in Scotland."

Onto the future, and Les said: "There is a new variety of carrots bred in Japan called Sweet Candle and they look to be a winner for many years to come.

"I feel the children's section shows proof of young talent and demonstrates there is indeed a future for the event.

"I would like to say a big thank you to all of our exhibitors who have come from as far as Kirkcaldy in the south and Stonehaven up north and also to our various sponsors from the Forfar area."

The main Forfar Flower Show trophy-winners were as follows:-

Gardening Shield, best exhibit in vegetables and fruit - A. Gray (Brechin); Cream of the Barley Trophy, best exhibit in pot plants and flowers - W. A. Ainsworth (Arbroath); Forfar's Pride Trophy, Forfar's Pride Fuchsia - J. Batchelor (Aberlemno); Garland Silver Cup, best exhibit in pot plants - Andrew Child (Newbigging); Grant Silver Cup, most points in pot plants - Andrew Child (Newbigging); Lady Hope Silver Cup, best exhibit in begonias - Leslie Craib (Forfar); Charles Nicoll Silver Rose Bowl, best exhibit in roses - Don Shaw (Briargrove, Forfar); Meldrum Cup, best exhibit in class 23 roses - Don Shaw (Briargrove, Forfar); Burgess Silver Cup, best three vases dahlias class 28 - T. Drever (Brechin); Colonel David Mason McFarlane Memorial Cup, best exhibit in dahlias - T. Drever (Brechin); Braid Silver Cup, best vase of dahlias - Andrew Child (Newbigging).

Renilson Allardice Challenge Trophy, best exhibit of sprays regardless of class - T. Drever (Brechin); Rodger Silver Cup, best exhibit of chrysanthemums - W. A. Ainsworth (Arbroath); J. M. Mitchell Silver Cup, best exhibit class 34 - W. Ainsworth (Arbroath); Fyfe Jamieson Silver Cup, best six vases cut flowers - Andrew Child (Newbigging); George Scott Silver Cup, best three vases of cut flowers - T. Drever (Brechin); Irvine Silver Cup, best vase gladioli class 53 - J. Coutts (Brechin); sweet pea Certificate, best single vase regardless of class - G. Bruce (Kirkton of Airlie).

Dispatch Rose Bowl, best exhibit cut flowers class 43-72 - Alistair Gray (Brechin); Dewar Duncan Trophy, best hanging basket class 74 - Dave Robbie (Inverarity); Provost Bill Middleton Silver Cup, best exhibit bonsai - Mrs J. Hunter (Forfar); McKinnon Silver Cup, best exhibit in fruit - J. Ewing (Forfar); N. V. S. Medal, best exhibit classes 105-108 - A. Gray (Brechin); N. V. S. Plaque, best exhibit class 92 - A. Gray (Brechin); Douglas Lawrence Cup, best exhibit in vegetable section - A. Gray (Brechin); Hourie Cup, best collection veg classes 89-93 - A. Gray (Brechin); Findlay Cup, most points vegetable section - D. Robbie (Inverarity); James Duncan Memorial Trophy, best exhibit in veg classes 94-138 - A. Gray (Brechin); Soutar Cup, best exhibit class 96 - K. Duncan (Fotheringham); Society Rose Bowl, best exhibit class 97 - D. Nelson (Forfar); Maxwell Nelson Shield, best exhibit class 104 - A. Gray (Brechin.

Colonel Kerr Silver Cup, best exhibit in honey - J. Batchelor (Aberlemno); Town Council Cup, most points baking and preserves - Lily Morrison (Forfar); Mrs M. Smith Shield, runner-up baking and preserves - C. Simpson (Letham); Smith/McMillan Douglas Silver Salver, best exhibit baking and preserves - Lily Morrison (Forfar); Mary Anderson Memorial Cup, most points handicrafts - Mrs Bruce (Kirkton of Airlie); Lloyd Evans Challenge Cup, runner-up handicrafts - Mrs Alexander (Oathlaw); Fotheringham Silver Salver, best exhibit handicrafts - Bob Todd (Forfar); Irvine Trophy, most points floral art - Mrs Drever (Brechin); Callander Silver Cup, best exhibit floral art - Mrs Drever (Brechin).

Gibson Silver Cup, most points 10-15 years - Leah Black (Forfar); Greig Trophy, best miniature garden - Katie Coutts (Forfar); Society Rose Bowl, best exhibit class 238 - Shauni Ogg (Forfar); Special Prize by Mr J. Mitchell, best vegetable man or animal - R. Grubb (Stonehaven); Ruby and Alex Bruce Memorial Trophy (exhibit outwith trophy classes and chosen by chairman) - Sandie Lloyd (Wellbank); Garden News Top Tray - 1, Don Shaw (Forfar), 2, David Nelson (Forfar); Garden News Top Vase - 1, Andrew Child (Newbigging), 2, Mrs V. Stewart (Brechin), 3, Mrs E. Dunlop.