Impressive range of high-quality produce at East Preston and Kingston Horticultural Society’s annual flower show

To the accompaniment of Lancing Brass Band, visitors streamed across the Warren Recreation Ground on Saturday, August 1. They browsed the stalls and attractions, enjoyed the popular fun dog show run by Arundawn Dog Rescue and treated themselves to ice creams, tea and homemade cake. Robbie the Magician kept younger guests happily entertained.

Meanwhile, the Village Hall was alive with people admiring the exhibits and the many growers keen to discover how their own entries had fared.

Despite the current heatwave, the show featured an impressive range of high-quality produce, along with the usual displays of cakes, bread, biscuits, jams, floral arrangements, handicrafts and photography.

Secretary Simon Smith said: “An event like this takes a great deal of effort, so I would like to thank to the many people who contributed to a very successful afternoon.”

The committee aims to create the ideal traditional village fête and show. The flower show continues to flourish, thanks to the enthusiasm, dedication and generosity of members and the wider community.

The next event will be a talk on autumn wreaths by Sophie Stewart on Monday, September 21, at 7.30pm, in The June Sutherland Chapel, Sea Road, East Preston.

The society is always keen to welcome new and enthusiastic people to join and to take part in its three annual flower shows. Visit celiabuckley.wixsite.com/epkhs and EPKHS on Facebook for more information.

Cups were awarded as follows:

Colin Crane was awarded the Silver Challenge Bowl for flowers, the Ray Brown Memorial Shield and David Mackenzie Thorowgood Memorial Cup for sweet peas, the Beloe Cup and John Rankin Dahlia Cup for dahlias, the Jenkins Cup and British Fuchsia Society Spoon for fuchsias, the RHS Banksian Medal for most prize money in vegetables, fruit and flowers, and the Howard Challenge Cup for the gentleman with most points in all classes.

Diana Buckley won the Cookery Goblet for most points in cookery and the Ladies’ Challenge Cup for the lady with most points in all classes.

Sarah Hill won the Floral Vase for floral arrangements, Behar Cup for her table decoration and Worshipful Company of Gardeners Certificate for best floral arrangement.

Christina Goodwyn won the Silver Salver for mixed produce and Worshipful Company of Gardeners Certificate for best fruit exhibit.

Christopher Snell won the Hanson Challenge Cup for vegetables and fruit and Worshipful Company of Gardeners Certificate for best vegetable exhibit.

Caroline Frake won the Cactus Cup, Marc O'Brien won the Doris Jenkins Cup for chutney, Steve Spinner won the Derek Silk Photography Cup for best photograph, and Emily Wilkinson won the Children’s Cup for the child winning most points.

The Worshipful Company of Gardeners Certificate for best flower exhibit went to Carol Longman.

Other first prize winners were Sue Spinner, Susan Young, John Frake, Helen Smith, Beverley Wright, Yvonne Nicol, Wendy Baker, Katie Macdonald, Pauline McLelland, Wendy Yates, Peter Jenkins, Simon Smith, Mary Jeavons, Alison Wilkinson, Isobella Wilkinson, Celia Buckley, Laura Joseph, Paige Joseph, Nicola O'Brien, Grace O'Brien and Rosie O'Brien.