WE ALL pray for good weather for the summer flower show but I don't think we expect to have our prayers answered in such good measure, writes Judy Kinloch, chairman of Mickleham and Westhumble Horticultural Society.
Amid the usual hustle and bustle of setting up the entries in the morning, it soon became clear that we were in for a scorcher. And so it proved.
Luckily, the Village Hall remained cool and there was no sign of plants suffering – it was the humans outside who were wilting with temperatures in the high 80sF.
We had a very encouraging number of entries this year in nearly all the classes and welcomed some new competitors. The photography titles proved popular, giving scope for a variety of techniques, and there were some highly original flower arrangements, in particular the table arrangement for a barbecue.
Both St Michael's School and St Michael's Community Nursery provided colourful displays of the children's talents once again. The flower judge was very appreciative of the high quality of the flowers that had been entered; the scent of the vases of mixed roses literally filled the air. In spite of many vegetables being held back by the cold spring, it was clear that many had already caught up. Courgettes had benefited from the recent sun, and exhibitors had entered broad beans and peas in abundance. The summer fruit, too, looked delicious; their colours as brilliant as summer itself.
In the garden classes for containers and for vegetable gardens the judges had found it very difficult to choose between some very professional entries.
The containers, although very different, all enhanced the sites they had been placed in.
Cookery is always a hard fought corner and proved so again this year. From loaves to cereal bars to madeleines, from marmalade to lemonade to chutney, there was no shortage of competition so our winners must be congratulated and all those who attempted the chocolate and beetroot cake commended.
Meanwhile, outside we welcomed back Colin Grundy with his plants and the Reigate Beekeepers with their local honey; also the Friends of Box Hill, Alison Woods' charity cake stall, our own plant stall and another stallholder with his pressed flower cards and earrings. Our heartfelt thanks must go to Mary Flint and all who helped provide tea and cakes during the hot afternoon.
Prizes were presented by Anne Hossack, head teacher of St Michael's, who made a very kind speech but warned the adults to beware the future competition that was emerging. Cups were distributed to loud applause and the raffle was drawn.
RESULTS
The Paynter Cup awarded for vegetable garden featuring a wide variety of crops – Martin Cox. The Aitken Cup for a collection of plants in containers arranged for display – Angela Ireland. The Ellman Cup for the most outstanding exhibit in Section B – flowers – Sandra Wedgwood. The Robson Cup for the most outstanding amateur entry in Section C – vegetables – Alaster Calder. The Schreiber Cup for the most outstanding entry in Section D – fruit – Alexandra Davies. The Gordon Clark Cup for the most outstanding entry in section E – floral arrangements – Martin Cox. The Dennis Trophy for the most outstanding entry in section F – cookery – Amanda Wadsworth. The Vi Bullen Trophy for the most outstanding entry in section G – crafts – George Swallow. The Alan Huggett Memorial Cup for the best sweet peas in the show – Richard Siberry. The Taylor Cup for cookery – section F, greatest number of points – Patrick Armitage. The Colwell Cup for arts and crafts – section G, greatest number of points – Charlotte Daruwalla. The Bronze Banksian Medal – winner of the greatest number of points in the horticultural classes – sections B,C and D – Martin Cox. The Salomons Cup for most points in the show – Martin Cox. The Irvine Cup for children 3 to 4 years old – most outstanding entry children's section H13 – St Michael's Community Nursery. The Heygate Cup for children – most outstanding entry children's section up to and including 8 – Poppy Callicott. The Wilkinson Cup for most outstanding entry, children's section children aged 9 and over – Amber Miller. The Hudlass Cup for the best entry in class H12 – Year 2, St Michael's School.
Flowers. One vase of mixed garden flowers arranged for effect 1st Sandra Wedgwood, 2nd Kate Warren. 3rd Charlotte Daruwalla. One vase of herbaceous perennials, 1st Alan Edwards, 2nd Kate Warren. 3rd Judy Kinloch. One vase of annuals of biennials, 1st Judy Kinloch, 2nd Kate Warren, 3rd Alan Edwards. One vase of sweet peas, mixed, 1st Richard Siberry, 2nd Angela Ireland, 3rd Fiona R-Miller. One vase of sweet peas, same variety, 1st Richard Siberry, 2nd Elizabeth Absalom, 3rd Angela Ireland. One specimen rose (no buds) hybrid tea, 1st Richard Siberry, 2nd Ray Wilson, 3rd Pandora Fleming-Smith. One vase of mixed roses arranged for effect and quality, 1st Richard Siberry, 2nd Elizabeth Absalom, 3rd Martin Cox. One vase of dianthus (pinks or carnations) 1st Fiona R-Miller, 2nd Kate Warren, 3rd Martin Cox. One vase of hardy shrubs (or climber) in flower, 1st Martin Cox, 2nd Sandra Wedgwood, 3rd Kate Warren. One vase of clematis, three stems (may be mixed varieties) 1st Alan Edwards, 2nd Sandra Wedgwood, 3rd Kate Warren. One fuchsia in a pot, 1st Martin Cox, one pot grown tender perennial (other than pelargonium) 1st Ann Sankey, 2nd Martin Cox, one pot of summer bulbs in flower, 1st Alan Edwards, 2nd Martin Cox, one pelargonium in pot, grown from seed or cutting by exhibitor, 1st Martin Cox, 2nd Angela Gilchrist, 3rd Judy Kinloch. Collection of herbs in flower arranged for effect 1st, Martin Cox, 2nd Judy Kinloch. Pot of petunias, 1st Martin Cox. Succulent or cactus/cacti in a pot 1st Martin Cox, 2nd A fern in a pot 1st Martin Cox, 2nd Judy Kinloch, 3rd Ann Sankey.
Vegetables. Collection of five different vegetables, 1st Martin Cox, 2nd Fiona Roberts-Miller. Collection of three different salad vegetables, 1st Martin Cox. One dish of five potatoes, 1st Martin Cox, 2nd, Sandra Wedgwood. 3rd, John Absalom. Five carrots – 1st, Alaster Calder, 2nd Alan Edwards, 3rd Elizabeth Absalom. Six spring onions, 1st Alaster Calder, 2nd Martin Cox. Six pods of peas, 1st Ann Sankey, 2nd Judy Kinloch, 3rd Elizabeth Absalom. Six pods, mange tout or sugar snap, 1st Fiona R-Miller, 2nd Martin Cox, 3rd Alaster Calder. Three beetroot, 1st Alan Edwards, 2nd Amanda Wadsworth, 3rd Martin Cox. Six broad beans, 1st Ann Sankey, 2nd Alison Walton, 3rd Judy Kinloch. Six French beans, 1st Elizabeth Absalom. One vase of spinach or leaf beet, 1st Alexandra Davies, 2nd Alaster Calder, 3rd Amanda Wadsworth. One lettuce (loose leaf variety), 1st Judy Kinloch, 2nd Fiona Roberts-Miller, 3rd Martin Cox. One lettuce (hearted variety), 1st Annie Dennis, 2nd Elizabeth Absalom, 3rd Martin Cox. Six radishes, 1st Martin Cox. One cabbage, 1st Martin Cox, 2nd: Fiona R-Miller. Three courgettes, 1st: Annie Dennis, 2nd Fiona R-Miller, 3rd Ray Wilson. Any other vegetable of outstanding quality not listed, 1st Alaster Calder 2nd: Elizabeth Absalom, 3rd Martin Cox. Six culinary herbs in water – to be judged on variety and quality 1st: Martin Cox 2nd: Judy Kinloch 3rd: Alexandra Davies. Most mis-shapen vegetable, 1st Martin Cox.
Fruit. Small bowl containing three kinds of soft fruit, minimum of six of each kind, attractively presented for table. 1st Martin Cox. One dish of redcurrants, six bunches, 1st Angela Gilchrist, 2nd Martin Cox. One dish of 10 gooseberries, 1st Sandra Wedgwood. 2nd Kate Warren, 3rd John Absalom. One dish of six strawberries, 1st Alexandra Davies, 2nd Sandra Wedgwood, 3rd Patrick Armitage.
One dish of 10 raspberries, 1st Sarah Blake, 2nd Elizabeth Absalom. One dish of any other fruit, 1st Ann Sankey, 2nd Martin Cox.
Floral arrangements. Table arrangement for a barbecue. Accessories allowed. 1st Fiona Taylor, 2nd Martin Cox, 3rd Alison Walton. Arrangement incorporating a log, 1st Martin Cox, 2nd Fiona Taylor, 3rd Gillian Hall. An arrangement in a seashell, 1st Ann Sankey, 2nd Alison Walton, 3rd Fiona Taylor.
Cookery. A Mediterranean loaf made by hand, 1st Patrick Armitage, 2nd Alexandra Davies, 3rd Ann Sankey. A seeded loaf – machine-made, 1st Lucy Adshead, 2nd Sarah Blake, 3rd Alexandra Davies. Five cheese scones, 1st Poppy Callicott, 2nd Amanda Wadsworth, 3rd Ann Sankey. Five madeleines, 1st Angela Ireland, 2nd Sarah Blake. Bread pudding made by a gentleman, 1st Patrick Armitage, 2nd Will Adshead. Six apple cereal bars, 1st Amanda Wadsworth, 2nd Cat Armitage, 3rd Jan Miller. A chocolate and beetroot cake, 1st Sophie Adshead, 2nd Alexandra Davies, 3rd: Fiona Taylor. One jar of marmalade, 1st Lucy Adshead, 2nd Annie Dennis, 3rd Martin Cox. One jar of raspberry jam, 1st Martin Cox. One jar of jelly containing herb such as apple and mint or rosemary. 1st Patrick Armitage. One jar of lemon curd, 1st Jan Miller, 2nd Ross Callicott, 3rd Patrick Armitage. One jar of chutney, 1st Patrick Armitage, 2nd Ann Sankey. Basket of three eggs, 1st John Absalom, 2nd Judy Kinloch, 3rd Martin Cox. One bottle of home-made lemonade, 1st Ben Wadsworth 2nd Sophie Adshead, 3rd Patrick Armitage. One bottle of fruit cordial, 1st Annie Dennis, 2nd Judy Kinloch, 3rd Patrick Armitage.
Art. A drawing – pencil, charcoal, pen or other medium (amateurs only), 1st Phil Randles and Amy Abbott, 2nd Tony Gosling. An original watercolour or pastel picture (amateurs only), 1st Phil Randles, 2nd David Hall, 3rd Diana Fraser.
Photography. A photograph entitled "A Village Landmark 2013". 1st: Ben Tatham, 2nd: Clive Gilchrist, 3rd Sarah Blake.
