Chilly weather couldn’t stop Rustington show blossoming

This time last year, a record heat wave, which saw temperatures rocket to around 22 deg C, had brought all the blooms out early. But, wind the clock forward 12 months, and Rustington’s green-fingered brigade had to contend with snow, ice and freezing temperatures in the coldest March for 50 years.

However, Alison Valentini, the show secretary, said this year’s offering, displayed at the Woodland Centre, in Woodlands Avenue, was surprisingly good, considering the inhospitable conditions many growers faced.

Trophy winners: President’s Challenge Cup and Menage Cup for best vegetable display, Eric Norrell; Gilbert Parry Challenge Cup for the best vase of narcissi, Joy Newman-Rice; Glass Goblet and the Spring Challenge Trophy, Dave Napper; Daffodil Society Bronze Medal, Mike Burrell; Jack Hesling Trophy for the best exhibit in novices’ daffodil class, Audrey Ross;

Chef Challenge Cup for most points in the cookery section, Wendy Gallienne; Glass Goblet for best floral art exhibit, Joyce Stonhold; Dorothy Heasman Trophy for most points in floral art, Sylvia Hesling; Cactus and Succulent Cup, Anne Adams; Bobby Knee Cup, Marvis Potten; Glass Goblet for best photographic art, Betty Ludlam; Youth Challenge Cup, Rohan Mills; Knight Cup, Isabelle Harrison-Horn.

Other first prize winners: Pamela Betterton, Babs Blake, Julie Churcher, Sophie Collins, Felicity Funnell, Mary Liverman, Joyce Marshall, Mick Marshall, Lynn Roberta Mason, Valerie Narayanaswamy, Sarah Oldfield, Malcolm Paradine, Carmel Pardi, Peter Russell, David Stubbings, Alison Valentini, Claudio Valentini, Isobelle Cooper, Sally Strong, Louis Staniford and Krishnan Davidson.