National Trust Volunteers at Agatha Christie’s former holiday home Greenway have won the Agatha Christie Cup after scoring top marks at Brixham Horticultural flower show this year.
After much hard work, Maureen Ferrari and Valerie Ellery, two of Greenway’s Cut Flower Gardener Volunteers, achieved their dream and their entries to the 2024 Horticultural Show earned them the top scores.
“We got six firsts, three seconds and a third for cut flowers and flower arrangements from our cutting garden, with the remainder of the points made up by crafts. This gave us the most points in the show and Agatha’s trophy,” explained Volunteer Maureen.
“As well as this, we got six other trophies for most points in different categories. It’s our third attempt at Brixham Horticultural Show and now we have brought Agatha’s Cup home— we are so excited, as it’s been a lot of work but so worthwhile.”
There’s been a long-standing history of connections between Agatha Christie and Brixham Horticultural Society. Christie spent many hours tending her garden at Greenway alongside her gardener and would submit entries to the society’s annual flower show.
After many years of being involved with the show, in 1960, Agatha Christie donated the Agatha Christie Cup to Brixham Horticultural Society as an award for the most points gained at the annual show. 64 years later it’s come home to Greenway.
Visitors can see the cut flower garden in the North Walled Garden at Greenway, and the Agatha Christie Cup will be on display in the Dining Room of Greenway House until the end of October 2024.
Greenway, now cared for by the National Trust, is open daily from 10.30am- 5pm until Sunday 3 November. Normal admissions apply.
If visiting Greenway by car, you’ll need to book a parking space in advance through the website > www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/greenway.
All photos - National Trust, Lauren Hutchinson
At Greenway you can take a glimpse into the holiday home of the famous and much-loved author Agatha Christie and her family. In the house: Agatha Christie called Greenway 'the loveliest place in the world' and treasured it as a holiday home for her and her family. They filled each room with…