Blooming great pictures from annual Helensburgh flower show

The Helensburgh and Gareloch Horticultural Society's annual show has been a favourite fixture of the local events calendar for many years, with this year's event being the 171st since the society was founded in 1850 - with only the two world wars and the Covid pandemic having interrupted it since then.

Originally boasting a distinction between amateur and professional gardeners, these days the show is very much for amateurs only - though that is no reflection on the quality of the exhibits on show, many of which would happily grace any professional's flower bed or vegetable patch.

A riot of colour at the Victoria Halls as the fruits (and flowers, and vegetables) of months of hard work in the town's gardens and greenhouses was shown off to the public

A spokesperson for the society said: "Helensburgh and Garelochhead Horticultural Society were delighted this year with the turnout, both from talented gardeners ready to show off their delicious crops and lovely flowers and plants, handicrafts, baking and preserves, and from the general public, coming to enjoy the displays.

"Despite yet another year of strange and unpredictable weather, the members managed yet again to produce a wonderful display; it’s always a delight to see the Victoria Halls filled with colour and vibrant greenery.

"The Jubilee Room was filled with impressive handicrafts and with the ever popular children’s section: their inventiveness and fresh approach to the challenges never fails to please.

Ranald Baillie and Amber McFarlane admire the perennials entries

"And on top of all that, teas and home-baking, a plant stall and a raffle Who could ask for anything more?"

This year's prize winners were as follows.

Saints Challenge Cup (first-time entrant, pot flowers): Anna Macaulay.

Norman Muir with family members Emma, Brenda and Susanna

Marnie Crichton Trophy (onions/shallots): Bill Jones.

Robin Murray Memorial Trophy (best allotment): Claire Davidson.

Whitelaw Hamilton Challenge Cup (collection of three different vegetables): Damien Theaker.

A riot of colour at the Victoria Halls as the fruits (and flowers, and vegetables) of months of hard work in the town's gardens and greenhouses was shown off to the public

W. Cessford Memorial Trophy (fruit): Joyce Devenny.

Ladies Commitee Cup (first-time entrant, baking/preserves/honey/handicrafts): Val Reid.

McLeod Challenge Cup (aged 7-11 years): Rowan Brown.

The tearoom is well underway with Jeannie Easton, Lorna Brackenridge and Jenette Tennent

A. & J. Borthwick Challenge Cup (pelargonium): Stewart Campbell.

Mrs Herbertson Challenge Cup (lettuce/herbs/salad bowl): Shenah Dean.

Buchanan Challenge Cup (honey): Mike Thornley.

A riot of colour at the Victoria Halls as the fruits (and flowers, and vegetables) of months of hard work in the town's gardens and greenhouses was shown off to the public

Murray Challenge Cup (variety of vegetables): Trevor Glover.

Adam Holmes Memorial Cup (mixed shrubs): Fiona Baker.

Theo Bonning Memorial Trophy (herbacious/perennials and cut flowers): Tied between Fiona Baker, Stewart Campbell and Jackie Theaker.

The workforce take a brief break and reveal their new team title - 'Tea Dynamics'

Gareloch Challenge Trophy (pot flowers): Tied between Lynn and Christine Don.

Williams Challenge Cup (baking): Tied between Ruth Pink and Val Reid).

McCuaig Rose Bowl (various floral arrangements including a coronation orb): Jeanette Caldwell.

A riot of colour at the Victoria Halls as the fruits (and flowers, and vegetables) of months of hard work in the town's gardens and greenhouses was shown off to the public

Lammerlaw Cup (preserves): Jeanette Caldwell.

J.A. Fleming Cup (dahlias): Jean Macaulay.

W. Cleland Quaich (sweet peas): Jean Macaulay.

A riot of colour at the Victoria Halls as the fruits (and flowers, and vegetables) of months of hard work in the town's gardens and greenhouses was shown off to the public

Warden Challenge Trophy (handicrafts): Liz Whitney.

Ballance Trophy (photography): Liz Whitney.

Sunshine Trophy (ages 12-16): Logan Brown.

The happy, friendly faces at the plant stall that greet visitors in the entrance hall. Sian Sharp, Maggie Rogers and Diane McGrattan

Cullen Cup (sunflower head, under 16): Logan Brown.

Glenan Cup (beans): Sue Thornley.

National Vegetable Society medal (winner of all vegetable classes): Sue Thornley.

A riot of colour at the Victoria Halls as the fruits (and flowers, and vegetables) of months of hard work in the town's gardens and greenhouses was shown off to the public

H.M. McMillan Trophy (all fruit and vegetables): Sue Thornley.

Cunninghame Graham Trophy (annuals): Kathleen Murray.

Ralph Dundas Trophy (roses): Kathleen Murray.

A riot of colour at the Victoria Halls as the fruits (and flowers, and vegetables) of months of hard work in the town's gardens and greenhouses was shown off to the public

Olive Lamport Cup (various floral arrangements, including coronation orb): Kathleen Murray.

Pauline James Memorial Trophy (pot plants): Kathleen Murray.

Peter Dunlop Trophy (gladioli): Christine Don.

The Anderson and Scullion family

Gardner Henderson Cup (board displays, including begonias): Christine Don.

Montrose Cup (board displays, including begonias): Christine Don.

Helen Campbell Challenge Cup (fuchsias): Christine Don.

A riot of colour at the Victoria Halls as the fruits (and flowers, and vegetables) of months of hard work in the town's gardens and greenhouses was shown off to the public

Mrs Arnold Fleming Memorial Cup (patio container and hanging basket): Christine Don.

Rosneath Challenge Cup (container of different vegetable species): Christine Don.

Carrie Bonning Trophy (all flowers, vegetables and fruit): Christine Don.

A riot of colour at the Victoria Halls as the fruits (and flowers, and vegetables) of months of hard work in the town's gardens and greenhouses was shown off to the public

Royal Horticultural Society Banksian Medal (all flowers, vegetables and fruit): Lynn Pittendreigh.

Jimmy Green Memorial Trophy (collection of five plants of different species/cultivars): Lynn Pittendreigh.

McMillan Challenge Cup (begonias): Lynn Pittendreigh.

The trophy for overall winner - The beautiful 'Carrie Bonning Trophy

Hugh Duncan Memorial Trophy (3 cacti): Lynn Pittendreigh.

Tom McColl Trophy (tomatoes): Lynn Pittendreigh.

Roberts Cup (handicrafts): Lynn Pittendreigh.

Grace McGeorge Quaich Tattie Challenge Trophy (potatoes): Lynn Pittendreigh.