Outstanding success for Bognor Regis sugarcrafters

Bognor Regis chairman Jenni Jamieson accepts the trophy from national chairman Julie Cotton, watched by organiser Carolyn Harvey

The club was delighted with its astounding success at the British Sugarcraft Guild’s south east region exhibition, held at Brighton Racecourse last Saturday.

Jenni Jamieson, chairman of the guild’s Bognor Regis branch, said: “While we are no strangers to winning golds at this exhibition, which is held every two years, we are particularly delighted that our Cygnets, entering for the first time, also made the top spot.”

The branch table, showing many different aspects of the skills of sugarcraft under the title Fire and Ice, won gold and the trophy.

The centrepiece cake by Trudie Irwin and Peggy Smith won the cup for Best in Show.

Under the direction of Jackie Freeman, the Cygnets, aged seven to 16, won gold and the trophy for their table, Fairy Stories and Fables.

The centrepiece, a combined effort by Megan Enticott, seven, Duncan Priest, 14, Megan Priest, ten, Rebecca Coverdale-Lee, 14, and Amelia Freeman, 13, also won the cup for Best in Show.

Hannah Budd, another of the Cygnets, won a bronze award for her piece in the under-16 floral arrangement class.

Cygnets leader Jackie Freeman accepts the trophy from national chairman Julie Cotton, watched by organiser Carolyn Harvey

Mrs Jenni Jamieson said: “There was nothing else left to win. Region 8 covers the whole of the south east of England from Portsmouth northwards, including London south of the Thames, so we had some stiff competition from the other branches.

“Almost every member took part in making items for the exhibition, from novices and real beginners to experienced members. We are particularly delighted by this because the aim of the guild is to share our knowledge and skills with anyone interested in sugarcraft.

“We had some fun workshops and surprised ourselves at what we could achieve both individually and collectively.”

The guild meets on the first Thursday of the month at The Community Centre, Chalcraft Lane, North Bersted, Bognor Regis at 7pm. Entry is £5 per person, which includes tea or coffee and homemade cake, as well as the demonstration.