MINEHEAD and District Flower Show was held on August 10 in the hall of the West Somerset Community College and enjoyed great support.

In spite of a very wet Friday, when exhibitors would be assessing the contents of their gardens and allotments, the standard was again very high.

This year a new challenge cup was presented for the first time when Fred Clarke gave a cup in the name of his brother, Sir Arthur C Clarke.

Bearing in mind that Sir Arthur lives in the exotic location of Sri Lanka, a new class was devised for exotic plants grown in a conservatory or greenhouse. This new trophy was presented by Fred Clarke and other challenge trophies were presented by Mayor of Minehead Terry Venner.

The committee wishes to thank local businesses and individuals who were very generous with sponsorship both in money and gifts; also West Somerset Garden Centre and James Scott for their displays of plants, water feature and garden ornaments – as well as the bee-keepers with the observation hive - all of which greatly enhanced the show.

The Church Hall, Bancks Street, the Catholic Church Hall, Alcombe Village Hall, St Michael's Church, Alcombe, and the Pigeon Fanciers Club loaned tables and Julian Bloys helped in providing a van and manpower for their transportation.

Pictured from the left are, at the back: Terry Venner, Michael Julian, Sid Dunscombe, Peter Butler, Peter Batchelor, Gordon Holt, Ken Bowden and Fred Clarke. In front from the left: June Keal, Denise Wawman, Zara Mayo, Kay Rowe and Beryl Priddle.

CHALLENGE CUPS

Sir Arthur C Clarke Trophy, best exotic plant, Miss Bowyer; Minehead Town Cup, overall most points, Sid Dunscombe; Dennis Holmes Cup, most points gained by a Gardening Association member, Dr D Wawman; Arthur Brown Cup, best collection of vegetables, Gordon Holt; Skilton Cup, most points for vegetables, Sid Dunscombe; Sidney James Cup, best potatoes, Ken Bawden; Webber Memorial Trophy, best exhibit of fruit, Gordon Holt; Garden Lovers Cup, most points for fruit, Gordon Holt; Samuel Cup, most points in Section A, Sid Dunscombe; President's Cup, runner-up in Section A, Gordon Holt; Stroud Cup, most points for flowers, Sid Dunscombe; Bailey Cup, best carnations, Sid Dunscombe; Amanda Cup, best roses, Gordon Holt; F J Bulley Cup, best dahlias, M Julian; Boyall Cup, best sweet peas, Peter Butler; Jean Ryell Cup, best pot plant, Peter Batchelor; Poyntz Cup, most points in decorative section, Mollie Clarke; Luttrell Cup, best decorative exhibit, Mollie Clarke; Philip Watkins Cup, most points in the Homecraft Section, Beryl Priddle; Butterflies Trophy, best homecraft exhibit, Kay Rowe; Risdon Cup, best junior up to nine years, Zara Mayo; Junior Cup, best junior up to 15 years, Lisa Gladman; Minehead Guild of Winemakers Trophy, Jim Moon; Daisy Chain Cup, best handicraft exhibit, June Keal.

CLASS WINNERS

Vegetables: Five in tray, Gordon Holt; potatoes, white, Ken Bawden; coloured, Ken Bawden; carrots, long, Sid Dunscombe; stump-rooted, Peter Batchelor; onions, Ken Bawden; giant onions, J Keal; heaviest onion, Sid Dunscombe; shallots, J Keal; peas, J Keal; runner beans, Sid Dunscombe; longest runner bean, Sid Dunscombe; dwarf French beans, Enid Bulley; broad beans, Sid Dunscombe; leeks, Peter Batchelor; parsnips, Sid Dunscombe; tomatoes, Sid Dunscombe; truss of tomatoes, Eddie Parry; courgettes, John Lovell; brace of cucumbers, J Keal; lettuces, Dee Mayo; marrows, Gordon Holt; beetroot, J Keal; cabbage, Eddie Parry; cauliflower, John Lovell; other vegetable, Sandra Brooker; herbs, Denise Wawman; raspberries, Sid Dunscombe; soft fruit, Gordon Holt; dessert apples, Sid Dunscombe; culinary apples, Gordon Holt; plums, Gordon Holt; pears, Gordon Holt; other fruit, Gordon Holt.

Flowers: Penstemons, Sid Dunswcombe; hardy perennials, Gordon Holt; Dahlias pom-pom, Sid Dunscombe; ball-type, Sid Dunscombe; small decorative, J Keal; large decorative, Michael Julian; cactus dahlias, Michael Julian; exhibition rose, Sid Dunscombe; roses, Gordon Holt; pansies, Sid Dunscombe; violas, Sandra Brooker; asters, Enid Bulley; annuals, Michael Julian; gladioli, Michael Julian; chrysanthemums, Dee Mayo; single colour carnations, G Hensley; mixed carnations, Sid Dunscombe; pinks, Sid Dunscombe; single colour sweet peas, Peter Butler; mixed sweet peas, Peter Butler; shrubs, Audrey Bradbury; hydrangeas, Marion Sayer; flowering plant up to 10cm pot, Peter Batchelor; up to 18cm pot, Peter Batchelor; fuchsia, Peter Batchelor; foliage plant, Christine Blay; Zonal pelargonium, Denise Wawman; any exotic plant, Miss Bowyer.

Decorative: Arrangement in Jubilee mug, Mollie Clarke; arrangement of floating flowers, Betty King; 12ins arrangement of flowers and/or foliage, Mollie Clarke; Golden Jubilee themed arrangement, Mollie Clarke (judged the best exhibit).

Juniors: Painting 'My Pet', Zara Mayo, aged eight; miniature garden, Jessica Lovegrove, aged seven; animal made of vegetables or plants, Zara Mayo; computer drawn picture, James Greatorex, aged 11; collage picture of an owl, Kristian Lee, aged seven; decorated pebble, Lisa Gladman, aged13.

Homecraft: Jam, Sandra Brooker; jelly, Beryl Priddle; marmalade, Denise Wawman; lemon curd, Beryl Priddle; chutney, Nora Tongs; pickles, Denise Wawman; pickled onions, Denis Wawman; white bread, Enid Bulley; brown bread rolls, Beryl Priddle; sausage rolls, June Sharpe; quiche, Beryl Priddle; cheese straws, Mrs M Roberts; plain scones, Jayne Impey; fruit scones, Beryl Priddle; small fancy cakes, Mrs F Curtis; shortbread, Kay Rowe; Victoria sandwich, Beryl Priddle; fruit cake, Jennifer Britnell; Golden Jubilee iced cake, A Moore.

Wines: Dry white, Jim Moon; sweet white, Jim Moon; medium rose, John Milsom; dry red, Dee Mayo; sweet red, Tom Catley; vodka based liqueur, John Milsom; kit based liqueur, Andrew Bristow.

Handicrafts: Tapestry on canvas, June Keal; knitted garment, Jennifer Britnell; crochet, Kay Rowe; cross stitch greeting card, Kay Rowe; soft toy, Barbara Robinson; a painting, Kay Rowe; photograph of a place of worship, Mrs G Holt.

Photo: James Guscott.