Show Report "Worthing's Village Show 2019"
Last Saturday, 31 August we held our 42nd Annual Horticultural Show, known as “The Great Village Show”, at Oak Grove College for the ninth time. The sun was shining and everything was set for a great afternoon and that is what we got! Each year the weather presents challenges for us gardeners and this year was no exception, but our members came up trumps again and the hall looked sensational, full of glorious fruit, vegetables, flowers and cookery on display. There were over 400 exhibits which is an all-time record. Outside, in the gardens, there were stalls selling all manner of things including allotment produce, plants, tools, cakes and crafts. Our beekeepers John and Sarah Scrace were there, explaining the wonderful world of bees and selling fabulous honey produced on the Allotment Site. Robin Chapman and other members of "Men in Sheds" were displaying their considerable talents. People sat around enjoying tea and cake, bangers and burgers and soaking up the sunshine and the warm friendly atmosphere. This is such a lovely place to spend an afternoon and the weather was perfect. The event was very well-attended and we hope our visitor numbers continue to grow in future years. This event has developed into such a friendly occasion as well as a chance for members to show off their talents and the results of a year's hard work.
In the main hall there were exhibits of a very high standard and it was so pleasing to see newcomers taking part and picking up awards that were shared between eighteen different people. Peter Mazillius's carrots won the "Best in Show" award and Jack Powis had a good day winning the Collection of Vegetables, the Wine Cup and the new Arthur Burt Cup for the most points overall. Bob Bingham had the most points for vegetables and the Master Gardener award, Heather Broad had most points for flowers, while for the Banksian Medal there was a dead heat between Heather and Derek Turner. Naomi Higson had best fruit, Janet Robins best flowers, Celia Powis took the rose bowl and Petra Greig the cookery cup. In the floral art section there were two superb arrangements by Carol Stanbridge but overall most points went to Margo Hollingdale. In the novice section the awards went to Carmen Dumitrascu, Graham North and Sarah Palmer. In the children's section the trophies were won by Ben North and Felix Dumitrascu. Best Front Garden belongs to Andrew Collis, Best Kept Allotment Rosemary Hill and Most Improved Allotment belongs to Ross Ayling.
The lasting memory of the afternoon was the very friendly atmosphere everywhere, with so many happy people enjoying themselves. I need to thank all the competitors for giving their time and effort to put on such a wonderful display; it is most generous of them, and of course our wonderful team of helpers who set up on Friday evening, worked all Saturday afternoon making the event work like clockwork (almost!) and clearing it all away like magic at the end. Also grateful thanks to everyone who donated cakes and produce - what would we do without them? Finally, if you did not take part this year – start planning for 2020!
Congratulations to you all. This is the biggest and best show in the area. Well done.
Jack Powis, Show Secretary.
Last Saturday, 31 August we held our 42nd Annual Horticultural Show, known as “The Great Village Show”, at Oak Grove College for the ninth time. The sun was shining and everything was set for a great afternoon and that is what we got! Each year the weather presents challenges for us gardeners and this year was no exception, but our members came up trumps again and the hall looked sensational, full of glorious fruit, vegetables, flowers and cookery on display. There were over 400 exhibits which is an all-time record. Outside, in the gardens, there were stalls selling all manner of things including allotment produce, plants, tools, cakes and crafts. Our beekeepers John and Sarah Scrace were there, explaining the wonderful world of bees and selling fabulous honey produced on the Allotment Site. Robin Chapman and other members of "Men in Sheds" were displaying their considerable talents. People sat around enjoying tea and cake, bangers and burgers and soaking up the sunshine and the warm friendly atmosphere. This is such a lovely place to spend an afternoon and the weather was perfect. The event was very well-attended and we hope our visitor numbers continue to grow in future years. This event has developed into such a friendly occasion as well as a chance for members to show off their talents and the results of a year's hard work.
In the main hall there were exhibits of a very high standard and it was so pleasing to see newcomers taking part and picking up awards that were shared between eighteen different people. Peter Mazillius's carrots won the "Best in Show" award and Jack Powis had a good day winning the Collection of Vegetables, the Wine Cup and the new Arthur Burt Cup for the most points overall. Bob Bingham had the most points for vegetables and the Master Gardener award, Heather Broad had most points for flowers, while for the Banksian Medal there was a dead heat between Heather and Derek Turner. Naomi Higson had best fruit, Janet Robins best flowers, Celia Powis took the rose bowl and Petra Greig the cookery cup. In the floral art section there were two superb arrangements by Carol Stanbridge but overall most points went to Margo Hollingdale. In the novice section the awards went to Carmen Dumitrascu, Graham North and Sarah Palmer. In the children's section the trophies were won by Ben North and Felix Dumitrascu. Best Front Garden belongs to Andrew Collis, Best Kept Allotment Rosemary Hill and Most Improved Allotment belongs to Ross Ayling.
The lasting memory of the afternoon was the very friendly atmosphere everywhere, with so many happy people enjoying themselves. I need to thank all the competitors for giving their time and effort to put on such a wonderful display; it is most generous of them, and of course our wonderful team of helpers who set up on Friday evening, worked all Saturday afternoon making the event work like clockwork (almost!) and clearing it all away like magic at the end. Also grateful thanks to everyone who donated cakes and produce - what would we do without them? Finally, if you did not take part this year – start planning for 2020!
Congratulations to you all. This is the biggest and best show in the area. Well done.
Jack Powis, Show Secretary.
