By Isle of Wight Observer
The Niton & Whitwell Horticultural Society held its 160th anniversary summer show, on September 12.
Undeterred by the hottest summer on record, members produced a good number of high-quality exhibits across a wide range of classes, including a prize-winning melon from Jay Lowein.
Lucy Dabell won best in horticulture for her vibrant basket of vegetables, fruit, and flowers, while there was also a beautiful array of floral displays. Keith Stay won the award for outstanding exhibit in the show, with the largest dahlia.
There was also a high number of entries in the photographic classes, with Lucy Dabell winning overall, while Annabelle Patching received the Best Photograph award.
Other winners included Sam Twining and Viv Langford in horticulture, Rose Burnett and Di Turner in craft, while Natasha Moore won the new member points prize.
In the children’s categories, eight-year-old Finley Newbery and his sister, Evie, aged 10, impressed by entering every category, including creating vegetable monsters.
They also won several adult classes in horticulture, craft and photography, while Evie went on to take the overall cookery prize.
The society’s next event is a coffee morning and Gardenalia sale, at Niton Village Hall, on Saturday, October 10, from 10am.
Everyone is welcome, and anyone interested in joining the society and entering next year’s shows can attend, or email nitonandwhitwellhortsociety@gmail.com.
Tilly Walder