MORE than 850 entries – including more than 150 from children – were submitted to this year’s Clapton, Wayford, Drimpton and District Horticultural Society Show, held at Drimpton Village Hall.
The room was filled with flowers, home grown produce, crafts and photographs as villagers entered their best items.
Michael Vickery won the society’s Perpetual Challenge Trophy for winning the largest amount of prize money in the flower and vegetable section, along with The Strawbridge Cup, for the most prize money in the vegetable section, and The Jubilee Cup for the best organic vegetable collection.
Mary Wilson won The Manor Cup for the best vegetable exhibit, Viv Watts was awarded The Capewell Cup for the best floral arrangement, Christabel Pilz won The Knorr Cup for the best exhibit in the preserve section, Jackie Scott won The Drimpton Salver for the best exhibit in the baking section, Rosanna Reeves won The Collard Cup for the best exhibit in the handicraft section, Harold Jenkins won The Lyminster Cup for the best exhibit in the photographic section and Mary Stack won The Diana Sprent Trophy for the best exhibit in the art section.
Martin Rowan-Robinson, member of Clapton, Wayford, Drimpton and District Horticultural Society, said: “It was a great success. It is a very traditional village horticultural show which attracts exhibitors from all of the surrounding area.
“This year, we had exhibits from our local primary school in Broadwindsor. It is amazing how creative children can be – the birthday cards for the Queen were definitely among my favourite exhibits and I think most visitors enjoyed all of the children’s exhibits.
“The show is a major event of the summer for the villages and as a relative newcomer, I am amazed how everybody pulls together to make it a success – it runs like a well oiled machine with others quietly stepping in to help when needed.
“The village obviously has a very strong tradition of first class baking. The results were amazing and I think there must be many potential ‘bake off’ winners.
“The show acts as a great focus for the community. The village has a mix of relative newcomers and many established families.
“The standards are high, exhibitors take the event seriously but it remains friendly and co-operative.
“This was also Barbara Wright’s last year as show secretary after three years in the role. Prior to this she was club secretary for seven years so she has been a key figure in the society for 10 years.
“It is because of her hard work and organisation that the show was so successful – her commitment, attention to detail and enthusiasm will be missed enormously.”
Other winners included; Barbara Wright – The Martineau Cup; Roger Smith – The Craven Cup; Dermot Stack – The Greenham Rose Bowl; Emily Harris – The Society’s Cup; Tabitha Chapman – The Clapton; Matthew Medley – The Youth Challenge Trophy and Peter Cresswell – The Shepherd Cup.
An auction of produce was also held to raise money for the Vanessa Project, a mental health charity which helps individuals experiencing stress or mental health improve their wellbeing through participation in garden activities, which raised £60.
