A GREEN fingered Finchampstead group held their Autumn Show at the weekend.
A few sudden showers on the day were not enough to dampen the spirits of the California Gardeners, who were able to enjoy a wide range of flowers and produce on display.
The organisers thank everyone who helped make the show a success.
“We were delighted that so many people turned out to see the display,” said show officer Sylvia Hawes.
“The atmosphere was warm and friendly and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.”
The group was especially pleased to have more than 280 exhibits, and the Ratepayers Hall was filled to capacity with flowers, pot plants, fruit, vegetables, baked goods and floral arrangements.
“The Dahlia classes were undoubtedly the stars of the Show with their incredible shapes and colours,” said Ms Hawes.
“Congratulations to everyone who displayed in those classes, and for providing such a feast for the eyes, especially Ian Gillott and Stuart Slocombe.”
A scented rose display was also admired for its impact and perfume.
“The deep pink rose exhibited by Karen Attree attracted the attention of many with its beautiful colour and strong aroma,” added Ms Hawes.
The summer show particularly spotlights fruit and vegetables.
“It takes months of hard work to produce a high standard in this section of the show,” explained Ms Hawes.
“Special congratulations go to Peter Radband, who won the most points in Classes 1 to 18 with his exhibits.”
He was also awarded the Banksian Medal for the highest number of points in the whole of the horticultural classes at the Show excluding Novice Classes.
Cakes, trifles, cheese straws and custard tarts were on display in the domestic section of the show.
“A big thank you to Vanessa Curtis who swept the board in most of these classes, and for kindly donating her prize winning exhibits to the auction for some enthusiastic bidding.”
The group was pleased to welcome new entrants this year, and hopes that they will be inspired to come again to future shows.
“A special mention should go to youngster Macey Temple who competed in the floral arrangement class and won with her first attempt at flower arranging,” said Ms Hawes.
“The judges were impressed that the club is thriving at a time when many are cancelling their shows through lack of entries.
“They commented that the standard of exhibits was very high and that we should be very proud of the response of our members.”
Visitors to the event were able to enjoy refreshments, home baking, a tombola and a raffle.
And at the end of the afternoon, any items that entrants wished to donate were auctioned.
“We had a lot of fun with this,” said the group’s chair, Dick Hawes.
“I ran it, and I was ruthless.
“If anyone so much as twitched, it was seen as a bid, so everyone was desperately trying to keep still.
“We were all in stitches, and had a lot of fun.
“Thank you to show officers Sylvia and Linda, and to the hard working committee, for ensuring that everything ran smoothly on the day.”
Show winners were: best vegetable display – Dick Hawes, best fruit – Hermione Lewis, best roses – Sylvia Hawes, best vase exhibit – Sylvia Hawes, best dahlias – Stuart Slocombe, and for most points in the dahlia section – Ian Gillott.
Highest points in the vegetable, fruit and flower section went to Peter Radband, best pot plant to Katie Phillips, best fuchsia to Dick Hawes, best novice floral arrangement to M Temple, and best floral art open display to Linda Garrrett.
Most promising young exhibitor was Arabelle Bailey, best under 7 year old entrant was Harvey Edwards, and best domestic exhibitor was Venessa Curtis, who also won most points in that section.
“It really was a brilliant day,” said Mr Hawes.
“With 281 entrants and the sheer number of visitors that came, how could we not be pleased?”
For more information about the club, visit: www.californiagardenersclub.co.uk
