LHS shows seem to get bigger and better! The Autumn Show attracted 340 entries this year, including more vegetable collections than usual. The judge commented on the high standard and quality of the vegetable entries and particularly praised the trugs full of seasonal produce.

Our traditional autumn categories had their place, with the 'heaviest marrow' award - and the Bob Lacey silver salver - going to 11 year old Ben Smith for his giant 30 pounder, which he had grown on grandad Alan Smith's allotment. Ben also produced the heaviest pumpkin at 46 pounds. Ben grew both vegetables organically, without chemical fertilisers - just Growmore and Maxicrop.

A new challenge, the LHS runner bean race, which spread across the hall stage, saw Ian Cooper winning with his longest 5. There were plenty of tomatoes of course and incredibly long leeks, while splashes of red chillies reflected the trend for growing more unusual vegetables, as did the numbers of peppers and squash.

The dominant flower in the Autumn Show is always dahlias and they were magnificent this year, with all shapes, sizes and colours to be seen. No village show would be complete without its cookery classes and members had excelled themselves in producing variations on an apple dessert.

An additional feature of the Show this time was a display by the Brighton and Hove branch of the British Cactus and Succulent Society.

Pictures speak louder than words, so take a look at Carolyn Nurse's brilliant photos to bring back memories if you were there - and make you wish you had been if you missed it! If you didn't enter anything this time, maybe you will be inspired for 2010!

L.H.S. AUTMUN SHOW CUPS & AWARDS 2009
THE BOB LACEY SALVER - BEN SMITH
THE MASSEY DAWSON CUP - DIANA LINDFIELD
THE HELENA HALL CUP - RICHARD HILSON
THE DAHLIA MEMBERS CUP - RICHARD HILSON
THE HUDDART CUP - SHEILA HOBBS
THE NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY'S CERTIFICATE AND BRONZE MEDAL - PAT MACE
THE PRESIDENTS SALVER - PAT MACE
THE DAHLIA CHAMPIONSHIP CUP - RICHARD HILSON
THE PENNEY CUP - GILL JONES
THE HARRY TESTER CUP - BETTY BILLINS
FORGET-ME-NOT SHIELD - EMILY SUTLOW
HEART & SOUL SHIELD - KATHERINE CAMERON

BEST IN SHOW
VEGETABLE - GEORGE NICHOLLS
FRUIT - MICHAEL ELLIOTT
POT PLANT - RICHARD HILSON
COOKERY - GILL JONES
HANDICRAFT - MISS M L FULFORD

L.H.S. ANNUAL CUPS AND AWARDS 2009
THE LADY WILKINSON SILVER TRAY GILL JONES
THE MORECOMBE WHITE CUP MISS M L FULFORD
THE PROCTOR CUP JIM STOCKWELL
THE SHEPHERD CUP IAN COOPER
THE RON PICKETT TROPHY ALISON LAINCHBURY
THE LHS JUNIOR PERPETUAL SHIELD EMILY SUTLOW
THE SHEPHERD PERPETUAL SHIELD KATHERINE CAMERON