As you can see from Carolyn Nurse’s accompanying photographs the Summer Show was full of outstanding exhibits. There were magnificent displays of fruit and vegetables and the flower arrangers had excelled even their usual high standards of floral and artistic inspiration. The basket or trug entries of seasonal vegetables, fruit or flowers were of such a high standard that the third placed entry would have been judged an outstanding winner in any other year.

Not to be outdone the juniors put on a quality show of their own, with the decorated T-shirts particularly catching the visitors’ attention, although all the other contributions were good.

The long rows of flowers and plants gave the King Edward Hall a real summery feel despite the weather outside being grey and drizzly. You could be forgiven for thinking that a gloxinia with the name of Her Majesty winning a first prize might have been a case of just being “diplomatic”, but on this occasion the name was more than matched by a wonderful plant. Then there was a canna which seemed as if it would touch the roof and a fine range of fuchsias, roses, begonias and mixed flowers and foliage to name but a few.

Amongst the handicrafts the ladybird pincushions gave rise to many a smile and the delights on display in the cookery section meant that the tea room had a steady stream of customers whose gastric juices had well and truly been stimulated!

It was a really enjoyable occasion; so well done to all you exhibiters you certainly gave the judges a hard time with the quality of your entries.

L.H.S. SUMMER SHOW CUPS & AWARDS 2009
THE LEMMEY CUP - NEAL MCNAMARA
THE SAVILL CUP - JOHN BROWN
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY’S BANKSIAN MEDAL - TIM RICHARDSON
THE FILMER CUP - GILL JONES
THE FRUIT CUP - BRIAN FITZGERALD
THE THORNBERY TROPHY - ANN HIGGINS
FORGET-ME-NOT SHIELD - RUBY ANSCOMBE
HEART AND SOUL SHIELD - ALEX CAMERON
BLUE RIBAND OF THE BRITISH FUCHSIA SOCIETY - RITA PICKETT
THE ASKEW CUP - TIM RICHARDSON
THE DON BOOKER FUCHSIA CUP - MICHAEL FIGG
THE GILBERT CUP - RICHARD HILSON
THE PRESIDENT’S CUP - TIM RICHARDSON

BEST IN SHOW:
VEGETABLE - RICHARD HILSON
POT PLANT - MICHAEL FIGG
COOKERY - MARGARET WELLS
HANDICRAFT - CLARE IMMS
FLOWER - JIM STOCKWELL