THE 25th anniversary of thriving Wootton Courtenay Gardening Club this year saw one of its highlights when the annual flower and produce show was held in the village hall.

Despite a difficult summer for gardeners with little rain and much hot weather, the quality of the exhibits remained high.

There was an impressive number of flower arrangements, from dainty arrangements in teacups to big airy displays of colourful perennials.

The vegetable and fruit growers were on fine form, with excellent runner beans on show, a plate of perfect figs, and some artfully arranged mixed baskets of produce.

Jeremy Curtis won a first for his ‘most amusing vegetable with embellishments’, a fantastical lizard created from a tromboncino squash.

The best exhibit in show went to gardening club chairwoman Marion Jay for a huge and perfectly formed savoy cabbage.

The junior entries included pretty flower arrangements in jam jars and some charmingly inventive miniature gardens.

There were also prizewinning entries from children in other categories, which was encouraging.

The cookery and preserves were praised by the judge, who gave constructive feedback to all entrants.

There was a record number of entries in the needlecraft section, showcasing knitting, crocheting, embroidery, felting, tapestry, and patchwork.

The winning embroidered wall hanging by Clare Carter demonstrated numerous skills and showed great creative artistry, and was particularly praised by the judge.

The photography exhibition displayed images of ‘decay’, ‘vegetables’ and ‘village life’.

The winning photograph, judged on a people’s choice vote, was a still life of a cut red onion on a turquoise plate, by Patrick Hoyte.

Cakes, preserves, flowers, and hanging baskets were auctioned at the end of the afternoon.

The fruit and vegetables were taken to Wootton Courtenay Village Store where they can be bought by donation, with all proceeds going to the West Somerset Food Cupboard.

Show chairwoman Ingrid Popplewell said: “The show goes from strength to strength, inspiring us all to enjoy our gardening, cooking, and creative skills, as well as bringing the village together for a glorious afternoon.”

CUP WINNERS

Jack Reed Cup, vegetables, I Stephens. Kemp Cup, fruit, R Reed. Ann Eggar Cup, flowers & plants, R GriRin. Wootton Courtenay Women’s Institute Cup, cookery & preserves, L Stenner. Exmoor Classics Cup, onions, I Stephens. MacEwen Cup, sweet peas, V Clegg. Kenneth Hawksford Cup, roses, B. Powell & J Curtis. Villagers’ Stores Cup, best vegetable entry, M Jay. Lowman Cup, best cut flower entry, A Dutton. Clegg Cup, best flower arrangement, S Fox. Wootton Courtenay Gardening Club Annual Special Award, best cookery & preserve entry, J Brady. Junior Cup, best child entry, S. Reed. Wootton Courtenay Handicraft Cup, best photograph by public choice, P Hoyte. Needlecraft Cup, best exhibit, K Carter. Wootton Courtenay Garden Club Annual Special Award, Most points in Show, R Reed. Wootton Courtenay Festival Cup, Best exhibit in Show, M Jay for a cabbage.

RESULTS (in 1,2, 3 order)

Vegetables – Potatoes white, J Curtis, R Reed, I Stephens; coloured, R Reed, M Reed, P Stenner; carrots, E Walker-Blair, R Reed, T Andrews; onions over 250g, I Stephens, R Reed, P Stenner; onions under 250g, R Reed, P Stenner, R GriRin; onions green salad, I Stephens, R Reed, E Walker-Blair; shallots, I Stephens, P Stenner, R Reed; peas, I Stephens, D Binnie; beans runner, R Reed, E Walker-Blair, J Curtis; beans French, I Stephens, J Curtis, R Reed; lettuce, I Stephens, R Reed; tomatoes, I & N Stewart, P Stenner, I Stephens; tomatoes on the vine, I Stephens, N Humphries, I Popplewell; cabbage, M Jay, R Reed, R GriRin, beetroot, I Stephens, T Andrews, R Reed; cucumber, R GriRin, D Binnie, J Curtis; courgettes, P Stenner, R GriRin, D Binnie; longest runner bean, E Walker-Blair, R Reed, I Stephens; heaviest onion, I Stephens, P Stenner, K Buzby; herbs, N Stewart, I Stephens D Rusher; amusing vegetable, J Curtis. R Reed; collection of vegetables, I Stephens, R GriRin, I Popplewell.

Fruit – Soft fruit, R Reed, A Dutton, D Rusher; other fruit, R Reed, A Walker-Blair, A Dutton; rhubarb, R Wilmoth, D Rusher, A Walker-Blair.

Cut flowers – Dahlias, A Walker-Blair, B Powell, J Curtis; specimen rose, B Powell, H Carrick, R Reed; hybrid tea rose, J Curtis, B Fowler, T Andrews; sweet peas 3, A Dutton, V Clegg, R GriRin; sweet peas 12, V Clegg, L Stenner, R GriRin; hydrangeas, R Reed, D Binnie, D Wilberham; best flower in garden, R GriRin, J Brady, M Jay; flower for scent, A Govier, B Powell, R GriRin.

Flower arrangements and plants – Arrangement in teacup, S Fox, A manning, M Jay, R GriRin; arrangement for home, R GriRin, S Fox, V Clegg; Junior arrangement, S Reed, E Walker-Blair, F Reed, A Walker-Blair; pot plant, I Popplewell, R GriRin, V Clegg, P Scott; Junior miniature garden, S Reed, E Walker-Blair, F Reed, A Walker-Blair; hanging basket, V Clapham, J Curtis, N Scott; herbaceous perennials, I Popplewell, L Stenner, A Govier, N Scott.

Cookery & Preserves – Fruit cake, C Ball, R Hoyte, A Govier; Chocolate cake, L Stenner, K Carter, P Stenner; Victoria sandwich, K Carter, M Lovatt, A Govier; lemon drizzle, A Govier, M Izaby-White, A Manning; gluten free cake, R GriRin, A Dutton; shortbread, M Lovatt, M Izaby- White, K Carter; cake with veg, J Brady, L Stenner, P Stenner & A Dutton; cheese scones, C Carter, M Izaby-White; brownies, M Izaby-White, C. Carter; bread, L Stenner, J Brady, T Walker; eggs, K Carter, B Powell, A Govier; soft fruit jam, R GriRin, R Reed; marmalade, L Stenner, R GriRin, M Lovatt; fruit jelly, A Walker-Blair, R GriRin, C Ball; chutney, L Stenner, R Reed, R GriRin.

Needlecraft – Knitting & crochet, I Popplewell, M Izaby-White, A Dutton; Sewing & embroidery, K Carter, H Carrick, R GriRin.