Some people have greener fingers than most. Alan certainly has and has been growing show Dahlias for 40 years but has taken it more seriously since he retired. He is a member of Bishop Auckland Chrysanthemum and Dahlia Society, one of the premier societies in the country and exhibits at shows all over the north including the Northern Championships. He has won many awards and medals for his flowers including at those Northern Championships. Alan grows his Dahlias in three polytunnels on his allotment in Consett and breeds his own varieties, including a prize winner named after his grand-daughter. As you can see, the blooms are absolutely magnificent and the polytunnels are a blaze of colour. – By Chris Bruce