THE dry but cool summer reduced the quantity of entries in Stogumber Show – but not the quality.

The weather on the day was sunny, enabling visitors to sit on the Village Hall, with its view of the Quantocks, with tea and cakes and biscuits made by Mary Duddridge, whose jam and shortbread were among the award-winning entries

Stogumber’s new rector, the Rev Prebendary Angela Berners-Wilson presented the prizes.

Most of the children’s entries were from Stogumber and Crowcombe Schools, great supporters of the show, and the organisers are grateful to Julie Norman, Josh Wedderkop and Lorraine Shopland and all the schools’ other staff.

The prizes will be presented at the start of the autumn term. Children whose entries were highly commended included Elizabeth Ford, Tyler Wielkopolski, Christopher Ahern and Esmee Cawrse.

Among the stand-out entries were Kim Rew’s limerick about Ken Sellick’s “stupendous” field of flowers, Tom Vesey’s “jewel-like” Japanese wineberries and Fran Vesey’s “impressive and well proportioned” trio of carrots.

Judy Illman’s blue and white winning flower arrangement included echinops, physotegia and euonymus, while Otto Pitt’s cheery composition in a red rubber boot won the prize for the best flower arrangement by a man or boy.

Show secretary Julian Spicer thanked the committee, stewards and stalwarts of the show: Hugh Balchin, Peter Captainino, Mary Duddridge, Maureen Grist, Sandy and Joe Hull, Allan and Sarah Jeans, Jim Morrison and Daphne Morrison, Bart Obszynski, Pam Richards. The judges were Mr and Mrs Chittenden, Lady FitzGerald, Mrs Gillet and Mrs Rew.  

Results in the Free Press