By Isle of Wight Observer
Freshwater Horticultural Society held its Summer Show on Sunday, with more than 50 exhibitors and 360 exhibits between them on Jubilee Field.
The marquee was filled with some fantastic entries, with several new exhibitors who had never entered a show before.
This year, not only was it a flower show, but there were also other attractions such as live music including The Dandy Rifles, spinning their decks of 80s music, Double Take, singing popular songs from across the decades and Bob’s Basement Band with his toe-tapping music.
Dimbola supplied refreshments including savouries and cake, while Snoot Box provided a fun dog show and there were several other stall holders, all enjoying the sunny weather.
In the floral marquee, the prizes were hotly contested with new President, Barbara Saunders, on hand to award the trophies.
The major prize winners were James Kingswell, who took home six major trophies for his vegetables, including the Dr P A Knill Jones Cup for the Most Points in the Show, and the Reverend Puntan Cup for Most Points in the Horticultural Section.
Keith Brewer won two trophies, including the Messrs Awty and Son Cup for three vases of flowers which were superb. Becky Kingswell took the Freshwater Cup for Most Points in the Dahlia classes, and also the NDS Silver Medal. Viv Langford won the NDS Bronze Medal for the Best Dahlia Bloom.
The Best Exhibit in the Show was won by Dave Kempster, for his incredible woodwork.
Simon Burrough was awarded the RHS Banksian Medal for Most Points in the Horticultural classes, along with two other trophies for Dahlias and Fruit.
Helen Hunt took the Freshwater Horticultural Society Cup for Most Points in the Floral Art section. Penny Sheldon lifted the Mrs E Ward Cup for Floral Art. Rebecca Walker won the Hilary Jarman Cup for Most Points in the Cookery Section. Liz Prior continued her success with her Runner Beans, by winning the NVS Medal for the Best Exhibit in the Vegetables. Joseph Pontin won the Children’s Award.
Mal Butler