Ewhurst Horticultural Society held its Autumn Show on Saturday 6th September after a very dry summer which led to concerns among those who intended to exhibit. There was then some really wet weather which did nothing to help the situation. However the day of the show dawned bright and beautiful and all the worries about the flowers and vegetables faded when the exhibitors arrived in great numbers armed with their excellent produce. The flowers were perfect and the vegetables amazing.
September, being traditionally the season for dahlias, chrysanthemums and Michaelmas daisies, we had a magnificent display of these flowers, with fragrant roses, delicate anemone japonica and unusual tithonia the Mexican sunflower. Amongst the vegetables were large and impressive courgettes, marrows and very appealing tomatoes, peppers and chillies. There were sweet smelling culinary herbs and large onions. Amongst the fruit there were fine examples of apples, pears and apricots.
The Bainbridge Bowl for the most points in the Fruit Section was shared by Lesley Wood and Andrew Lock. The Norris Cup for the most points in the Vegetable section was won by Jeff Jones who also had an impressive display of dahlias. The Geoff McQuire Shield for the most points in the Flowers and Pot Plants section was won by myself, to my great surprise and delight.
There were some amazing entries in the Floral Art section, particularly in the class displaying an exhibit in a niche, using foliage, seed heads and berries, but no flowers. Jane Bishop won the Spiers Trophy for her imaginative presentation.
The Homefare classes included some rather delicious looking raisin and oatmeal cookies, apple pies, meringues and tea bread loaves. The Spence Cup was awarded to Victoria Powell who achieved the most points in this section.
The afternoon concluded with the presentation of trophies by the President Andrew Lock who thanked everyone for their support in another successful Autumn Show. The exhibits were gathered together and everyone eagerly took part in an auction. Finally. At the end of a wonderful afternoon, came the raffle, in which there was a selection of interesting prizes organized by Val Hutton.
Jackie Constantine
Show Secretary
