THE Forest of Dean has a new national champion in chrysanthemum enthusiast Bruce Reed of Lydney.

Bruce came home from the Chrysanthemum Society's national championships in Stafford with the Coronation Bowl for his anemone chrysanthemums.

He packed and transported 36 blooms to the show to take the title. He also won the Best Anemone in Show for the second time.

The Forest of Dean Chrysanthemum Society again excelled themselves by winning the Francis Parry Silver Salver for the seventh time as well as the Affiliated Society Shield and the North West Counties Trophy for Affiliated Societies. Adrian Roberts collected two medals, and Colin Wilson one, for best blooms.

The Society entered three classes and won them all, making it their best result to date.

"A fantastic result all round," says Bruce.

•The Forest of Dean Chrysanthemum Society was forced to leave its usual annual show venue in Lydney this year and move up the hill to the Masonic Centre, Cross Hands.

The move proved to be a great success. John Bawden, a national judge from Banwell, Somerset, said the standard of the exhibits had reached new heights, particularly the top winners. He also congratulated the Society on the immaculate show room layout.

The Best Vase in Show and winner of the NCS silver medal went to Bruce Reed, with a vase of Doreen Statham.

Runner-up with the NCS bronze medal was Colin Wilson with a first class vase of Pauline White.

Very close behind was Adrian Roberts, who secured the Certificate of Merit with a vase of Woolmans Venture, and the second certificate was awarded to Colin Wilson, with a mixed vase of intermediates.

Other winners: Best Jap, Best Incurved, Best Reflex, and Most Points in Show went to Bruce Reed, and Best Intermediate, Colin Wilson.

In the Novice section, first time grower Carol Simmonds managed a second place, but better still obtained a second in the open class for Japs, almost unheard of for a novice.

Christine Snook, another first time grower, collected a first prize card, and Glyn Pritchard, following his success in other local shows, completed his season with two firsts.