Dannevirke: Joy of flowers spans generations

Heather Cheer, head of the flower show committee, with Norsewood and Districts School pupil Harry Bradley, winner of the best junior exhibit, for his lion made from driftwood and pine cones.

Spring was in the air at the annual Norsewood and Districts Flower Show, organiser Heather Cheer delighted by the glorious array of blooms, petal saucers, artwork and creative crafts.

"The entries are fantastic considering the inclement weather we've had," she said.

With 20 classes and 48 blooms in the rhododendron class, followed closely by azaleas and roses, Mrs Cheer wasn't worried entries were down slightly.

"We get great support from our community and the Norsewood School children who enter with their decorative saucers, aqua jars. This year we have charcoal drawings and creative crafts made from found materials by the children too," she said.

"It's quite remarkable what the children have come up with. One 5-year-old has crafted a whole flock of sheep and, of course, because these are country children, there was one cast. The judges said the charcoal drawings were a fabulous addition to our show too."

Nine-year-old Harry Bradley took out the best junior exhibit, winning the Una Halford goblet, last presented in 1979.

"His lion was absolutely fabulous," Mrs Cheer said.

Harry began working on his project in the school holidays, using pine cones and with some help from his dad, which is allowed in this section, his lion was a roaring success.

Graham Rix won best in show with his stunning red rhododendron.

"He's such a knowledgeable chap and a great supporter of our show," Mrs Cheer said.

The most adult entries prize was won by Alice Story who entered an amazing 25 exhibits.

The flower show was revitalised in 2009 by the Norsewood Promotions Group and this year two stalwarts, Ness Harper and Judith Brenan were back helping out, along with two new recruits, Rose Waterworth and Vicki Turner.

"Rose and Vicki have been so willing to help, carrying out all those mundane jobs such as washing the hall windows, but they didn't realise how much work goes into staging an event such as this," Mrs Cheer said.

Ms Brenan, who now lives in Waikanae, said Mrs Cheer has a passion for the event.

"She's amazing. I don't know where she gets her energy from. I just plod on behind," she said. "When we revived the show in 2009 we were really driving by the seat of our pants. This is such a big thing for this tiny village and exhibiting the flowers in stubbies gives a great rural flavour."

Using the old beer bottles saved any "oops" happening to valued family glass and crystal vases.

Making the show even more memorable were two "million dollar moments," Mrs Cheer said.

"We had an 80-year-old gentleman from Taranaki go out of his way to visit the show. He had been a small child in Ormondville and spent such a long time here," she said. "Another very special moment was when a local woman came in clutching some very tiny flowers. It was the first time she'd entered and when she won a certificate, well, I've never seen a face so animated. It was delightful and she later told me she'd held her certificate up to a photo of her late mum and dad excited and proud. It's these sort of things which makes it all worthwhile for me."

The judges from Otane said they were also particularly impressed by the school children's decorated plates.

"They had the wow factor," Mrs Cheer said.