Autumn Show has over 400 entries

Bob Castle stole the show – again – as more than 400 entries were exhibited at the recent Brighstone Horticultural Society Autumn Show in the Wilberforce Hall and scout hut.

There were classes for fruit, vegetables, flowers, pot-plants, beverages (wine, beer, liqueur), handicraft, cookery, floral art, photography and children. An apple press was also set up in the grounds, with people helping turn their apples into juice.

Refreshments were very popular as was the raffle.

For the third time this year, Bob won Best Handicraft for his exquisitely-crafted wooden pen set. He only missed out on a 2023 hat-trick of BHS Best in Show awards because there is no Best in Show award at the Autumn Show.

Winners of the other major cups were: James Kingswell, most points in show (Dave Bartlett Shield); Bob Castle, best exhibit in fruit castles (Fruit Cup); James Kingswell, best exhibit in vegetable classes (Vegetable Cup); Darren Everest, best exhibit in flower classes (Flower Cup); Sheila Francis, best exhibit in pot plant classes (Pot Plant Cup); Helen Cox, best exhibit in floral art classes (Floral Art Cup); Andrew Bailey & Margaret McLaughlin (tie), most points in cookery classes (Cookery Cup); Bob Castle, best exhibit in handicraft classes (Handicraft Cup); Mike Roberts, most points in wine classes (Wine Cup); Iris Clarke, best exhibit in children’s classes (Children’s Cup).