Entries up on last year for Yapton annual show

Many of the best local growers and others as far as Portsmouth brought produce from the garden and allotment, and the excellent quality of vegetables, fruit and flowers attracted a lot of interest among visitor.

There was much else to be seen, including fine floral arrangements, a competitive cookery and preserves section, wine and beer, handicrafts, an excellent photographic display and some wonderful children’s exhibits.

Entries totalled 473, more than 40 up on last year. The number of exhibitors was 56, just one up on last year, but this included seven newcomers. Some judges were also making their first visit to Yapton.

Accompanying the flower show were activities on the recreation ground, from children’s amusements, good causes, smaller marquees with the raffle and tombola, to a line of agricultural tractors, motorcycles and some classic vehicles.

Tractor and trailer rides ran all afternoon, while the adjacent Village Hall was at bursting point with those viewing the model railway layout and farm set, or tucking into the refreshments.

The smaller halls were occupied by Yapton and Ford Local History Group, which staged an exhibition based on the parish churches, their history and influence on village life.

Following the formal opening by gardening broadcaster Sue Phillips, the society’s president, a ukulele- band played and sang for 45 minutes, to the delight of the crowd.

The president later handed out the trophies and awards, with Mick Minton having a particularly good day. His collection included the Warmere Cup for best vegetable exhibitor plus the V.H. Snell Trophy as first prize, the Charles Millyard Trophy for runner beans, the Woodard Trophy for his gladiolus entry and the Silver and Bronze Medals of the National Dahlia Society for the two best dahlia exhibits. The Booth Cup was presented for most points in the open horticultural classes and assured the Royal Horticultural Society Banksian Medal for most prize money won in all the plant-growing classes.

Other winners included Malcolm Paradine, the most successful participant in the members’ classes. His points total gave him the George Harrison Cup and he was nominated for the Binns Trophy for his six excellent tomatoes.

Show secretary David Donovan retained the Ivor Smith Fruit Bowl and Collier Cup for cookery and preserves prizes. Alan Humphrey was presented with the Stevenson Cup for the best members’ vase of cut flowers,while Barry Bezants took home the Tony Butcher Trophy for the best pot plant.

Committee member Eva Pendreich, after numerous attempts, finally carried off the Leslie Crowther Trophy, a three-exhibit members’ only award.

Judy Barratt retained the Ford Wine Circle Challenge Shield for most points in her discipline, Joan Jackson was best flower arranger, winning the Pannell Trophy, and Elaine Cordingley won the Stagg Cup for her outstanding example of calligraphy in the handicraft section.

The Belmont Cup for most points in the children’s section was won jointly by family members Eleonore Grimwood, 13, and Lacklann Grimwood, seven. Eleonore also won the Teens’ Trophy for her picture of a flower, while Lacklann won the Frost Senior Cup in the miniature garden class.

The best overall children’s entry was supplied by seven-year-old Cerys Hier, a much admired and highly original animal made from vegetables, which won the Margaret Trophy.

The final flower show of the season in Yapton will be held in the Village Hall on October 3, when dahlias, fruit and novelty classes are among the attractions.

First prize winners were:- Mick Minton, Malcolm Paradine, Roger Pay, Barry Bezants, Terry Booker, Elaine Cordingley, Mike Millis, David Donovan, Roy Phillips, Nora Trigger, Diane Booker, Alan Humphrey, Christine Fry, Mick Marshall, Stan Crouch, Graham and Sylvia Ebben, Jenny Pay, Irene Jordan, Judy Barrratt, Eva Pendreich, Paul Pannell, Anne Hollis, Debbie Lawrence, Mary Carmel Pardi, Stella Whitelock, Sarah Peskett, Jane Weymouth, David Day, Christine Pannell, Dennis Barratt, Geoff Wescott, Den Jordan, Olivia Lisle, Alan Thew, Joan Bradley, Katharine Horwood, Patricia Dawson, Joan Jackson, Dennison Grimwood, Eleonore Grimwood, Cerys Hier, Lacklann Grimwood.

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