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Profile of Wallace William Manley

David Murray recently sent me a copy of a certificate awarded 50 years ago to Wilf Manley who at 85 is still exhibiting. I suggested he added a profile of Wilf and here it is. Similar contributions to the website are always welcome.

Wallace William Manley is better known, as “Wilf Manley” to the Carnation World, he was born on 12th March 1923. He received the name from his grandmother who was a Scot and who reversed the name William Wallace, after the Scottish Patriot. He took an interest in growing Border Carnations with his Dad and in 1945 joined the Notts. Carnation Society at a cost of half-a- crown, which his mother paid for him.

He entered his First show in 1955 at the Parochial Hall, in Brunt Street Mansfield with 2 borders without success. In 1956 He noticed a nice Border Carnation in the Garden, he dug 5 inches round it and under the roots, put it in a pot and put it in the greenhouse. It was the only flower he took to the show, it was the Self –Pink” Francis Sellars” it won the Premier Bloom at the show. This was no mean feat as the Notts. Show was often filled with thousands of Blooms and there is one recorded show with over 6,000 blooms.
Apart from several years when his wife was seriously ill “Wilf “ has not missed many shows at Mansfield and is probably one of the oldest exhibitors in the country. He has exhibited at the London October show in 4 of the last 5years.
He has bred some nice Pinks in recent years, namely, “Red Beret”, Barbara Manley, Notts. Forrest, Forrest Heather and Pink Alice.

By David Murray