Despite the uncertain season, the quality of entries for the summer show was as high as ever, with only a slightly lower number than usual at around 250. Perhaps the most noticeable reduction was in the number of entries for soft fruit and vegetable classes. However, two visitors all the way from Aberdeenshire spoke to me to comment enthusiastically on the show!

Richard Watson’s perfect cucumber was the best vegetable exhibit (while Tim Richardson’s ‘Siamese Twins’ courgette was the most misshapen vegetable!). The Askew cup went to Jim Stockwell for a collection of peas, beans and beetroot, but overall there were less vegetable collections than usual. Richard Hilson had 12 perfect ‘Aristocrat’ shallots and Ian Cooper’s redcurrants were best fruit. There were plenty of courgettes but the late start to the warmer weather meant there were no tomatoes.

In the flower classes stunning delphiniums were as popular as last year, with Michael Figg’s less conventional lavender-coloured spikes catching the judge’s eye for two first prizes. As usual, there were lots of wonderful roses and sweet peas on show, with Ann Higgins retaining the Lemmey cup for sweet peas. The clematis-floating-in-a-bowl class showed the variety of this climber but perhaps more people could provide examples. Gill Jones produced the only trug for this show, with a wonderful combination of fruit, flowers and vegetables nestling in a ‘grass’ background.

The encouraging increase in entries for the flower arranging continues, with the ‘Basket of Summer Flowers’ in a range of shades. There were a number of takes on the ‘Gemini’ theme, with Julie Hewitt’s white, green and silver themed exhibit being judged best in show. There were also lots of variations on ‘A cup of coffee’, utilising both small and larger blooms – our flower arrangers are an imaginative group! But – what happened to the jam makers? Only one jar of soft fruit jam! Other cookery classes did better, with a tasty-looking selection of ‘Vegetarian Supper Dishes’ won by Debbie Anscombe’s Tartiflette. Best in show were Jocasta Fearn’s decorated fairy cakes. Knitting seems to be back in fashion, with 7 items entered in the hand-knitted baby garment class, Lorelei Hilson’s pretty lemon-coloured dress winning first prize. Sue Stockwell’s lovely pottery owl was the best handicraft item.

In the children’s classes, both the winning Lego models in the two age ranges had a police theme – Liam Jolly’s police station complete with helicopter and Nick Watson’s police plane. There were plenty of cheerful decorated hard-boiled eggs too.

Rosemary Humphreys

The Lemmey Cup (For the Best Vase of Sweet Peas) - Ann Higgins
The Savill Cup (The most points In Section A – ‘Open Classes’) - Jim Stockwell
The Don Booker Fuchsia Cup (The Best Exhibit in Class 137) - Julie Hewitt
The Gilbert Cup (The Best Exhibit in Class 144) - Julie Hewitt
The Thornberry Trophy (Best Exhibit by a Female Entrant In Class 155) - Julie Hewitt
The R.H.S. Banksian Medal (Competitor Who Wins Most Prize Money In Horticultural Classes Of Show) - Rosemary and Neville Humphreys
The Filmer Cup (Best Exhibit in The Flower Arranging Classes) - Julie Hewitt
The Fruit Cup (Best Dish of Fruit) - Ian Cooper
The Blue Riband Of The British Fuchsia Society (For the Best Fuchsia Exhibit) - Rita Pickett
The Kieron James Toys Shield (Most points in Junior Section 10 Years and under) - Liam Jolly
The Junior Shield (Most points in Junior Section, 11 – 15 years) - Nick Watson
The L.H.S. Junior Cup - Sam Armstrong

Best In Show:
Vegetable - Richard Watson
Pot Plant - Rosemary & Neville Humphreys
Cookery - Jocasta Fearn
Handicraft - Sue Stockwell
Floral Art - Anne Skinner

Trug Class:
1st - Gill Jones