Two Aberdeenshire pensioners have struck gold again at this years’ Chelsea Flower Show creating a hat-trick of medals for the pair.
Morrice and Ann Innes from Newmachar have picked up their third Great Pavillion Gold Medal with an award-winning display of 154 different varieties of potatoes.
In 2015, Mr and Mrs Innes won the first-ever Chelsea Gold Medal for a potato-only display in the show’s 150 year history.
They won again in 2016 and this year they have been awarded with another Gold in the Great Pavillion – scoring the maximum number of points possible in all three marking categories.
Speaking last night, Morrice Innes said he was “tired and pleased” with the result, adding: “The judge’s feedback was very positive. I purely grow potatoes for a hobby nowadays and have retired from commercial farming. All of these were grown last year and they have been stored over the winter. We give them a clean and pick the best ones.”
Sponsored again this year by Thompson and Morgan, the stand showed off a selection of Wild Solanum potato plants – as well as a selection of mini tubers which are in the early stages of a brand new variety in production.
Thompson and Morgan’s commercial director, Paul Hansord, said: “Amid all the glamour and colour of the world’s most celebrated flower show, it’s great to see homage to the humble potato win another Gold Medal.”
