Another gardening year draws to a close – that’s what the Autumn Show feels like – but going out with a bang. After the uncertain weather this year there might have been some who wondered whether we would have a show at all – but there were plenty of high quality exhibits, if not quite as many as usual.

The Autumn Show is the time for traditional ‘village show’ classes – heaviest pumpkin, longest runner bean etc. Last year’s winners – Ian Cooper with the heaviest pumpkin and teenager Ben Smith with the heaviest marrow – triumphed again. Ian also won the LHS runner bean race but Neal McNamara had the longest runner bean. Fruit and vegetables were not as prolific as usual but Ian Cooper and Tim Richardson had prize-winning collections. Jason Lainchbury’s incredibly long parsnips caused a lot of comment as did Chris Gurr’s prizewinning dark-green squash – an Italian heirloom variety called Marina di Choggia. Richard Hilson received best in show for fruit – some perfect raspberries – and vegetables – tomatoes Apero. There were not as many apples as usual this year – this is apparently a national situation following the wet weather – but Jim Stockwell’s exhibits contributed to his winning the Huddart cup for most points in a number of fruit and vegetable classes.

Dahlias are always the stars of the Autumn Show and this year was no exception. Richard Hilson’s blooms were superb with a range of colours and shapes for which he was awarded the Dahlia Members cup. Martin Higgins’ pot of grasses won best in show in the pot plant classes and Sally Mcbirney’s Streptocarpus Nia, full of pale pink blooms, won the Harry Tester cup.

Cookery entries looked delicious as usual – Tracy Adams’ cheese scones won in their class but Margaret Carter’s ‘Cake incorporating a vegetable’ won best in show – a striking carrot cake festooned with tiny carrots on the icing. Sue Stockwell’s gorgeous painted blue pot was best in show in the handicraft section.
Best in show in the flower arranging was a stunning exhibit by Julie Hewitt in the class to celebrate Olympic Champions – in red, white and blue incorporating two oars in recognition of Helen Glover’s and Heather Stanning’s achievements. Giant orange dahlias in the arrangement won Gill Jones first prize in the Harvest Festival class.

In the children’s classes there was the usual variety of exhibits – Liam Jolly’s biggest sunflower head, a range of Christmas menus and, still on a Christmas theme, the chocolate Christmas logs looked delicious, with Emily Sutlow and Ruby Anscombe taking the firsts! Nick Watson won the new LHS Junior cup, following in the footsteps of brother Matt at the Summer Show.

Our visitors seemed to spend a lot of time admiring individual entries so – a successful show! Thanks to all the entrants and helpers – and to our wonderful team of cake-makers (much appreciated by the visitors). A full list of prizewinners is below, which also includes the annual awards for most points over the 3 Shows.
Rosemary Humphreys

LHS Autumn Show Cups and Awards 2012
The Bob Lacey Salver (heaviest marrow) - Ben Smith
The Massey-Dawson Cup (collection of vegetables) - Ian Cooper
The Helena Hall Cup (collection of vegetables) - Tim Richardson
The Dahlia Members Cup - Richard Hilson
The Huddart Cup (most points in fruit and vegetable classes) - Jim Stockwell
The Dahlia Open Cup - Richard Hilson
The Penney Cup (best exhibit in flower arranging classes) - Julie Hewitt
The Harry Tester Cup (flowering pot plant) - Sally McBirney
Kieron James Toys Shield - Nick Watson
Heart and Soul Shield - Emily Sutlow
LHS Junior Cup - Nick Watson

LHS Annual Cups And Awards 2012
These are presented at the Autumn Show to members gaining the most points over the three shows in the respective categories.
The Lady Wilkinson Silver Tray (cookery) - Margaret Carter
The Morecombe White Cup (handicraft) - Sue Stockwell
The Proctor Cup (pot plants) - Jim Stockwell
The Shepherd Cup (vegetables) - Ian Cooper
The Ron Pickett Trophy (basket or trug) - Clare Wilson
The LHS Perpetual Shield (10 years and under) - Emily Sutlow
The Shepherd Perpetual Shield (11 – 15 years) - Ruby Anscombe & Cerys Fruin

Best In Show:
Vegetable - Richard Hilson
Fruit - Richard Hilson
Pot Plant - Martin Higgins
Cookery - Margaret Wells
Handicraft - Sue Stockwell