CHIDDINGFOLD Horticultural Society Spring Show members filled the village hall with spring blossoms and superb flowers, and for the first time, an exhibition of art and craft talent.

The aim was to encourage more visitors to view and enjoy a range of arts and crafts including ceramics, handicrafts, photographs and paintings which filled the Charles Watts Room.

Vice-chairman Robert Walker said: “This was primarily for people who preferred not to have their work judged and the local talent exhibited was most impressive. This display was a great success and several items were sold.”

Exhibits, including a table of handicrafts from Chiddingfold WI, included jewellery, ceramics, paintings of local scenes and needlework.

Committee member Phil Darley added: “We were particularly pleased with the response from children in the village, who entered 43 entries in the colouring competition for ages four to-11 and 20 entries for the decorated spoon class. This is the most children’s entries we’ve had for a long time.”

With almost 30 society members putting in some 150 exhibits, it was surprising the committee members gained so many trophies.

The presenter, Ciss Denyer – a vice-president – won the Ramsnest Rangers Cup for most points in the flower sections.

Treasurer, Martin Lacey, received the Jack Talbot Trophy (runner-up), the Winson Trophy (small cup daffodils) and the Cooper Cup (tulips) while his wife Georgia claimed the Thye Rose Bowl (florets).

Mandy Buckle won the Dorothy Whale Trophy (cookery), Pat Freemantle the Jackson Gill Trophy (flower arranging) and Jane Bell the Dorothy Brown Cup (hellibores).

The children’s colouring winners were Florence Spicer, who won the Children’s Trophy (5-7) and Oscar Cooke who won the Spring Show Shield (8-11) – both are pupils at St Mary’s School.

Worshipful Company of Gardeners Diplomas went to Annabel Chaplin (three vases of flowers), Elizabeth Baker (mixed vase of daffodils) and Cuss Denyer (camellias). Awards of Merit were won by PJ Underwood (photography) and Clive Morton (art/craft).

The monthly talk by John Baker, of hanging hosta garden fame, on ‘Heavenly Lilies,’ is being held on Wednesday April 20, at the village hall, in Coxcombe Lane, starting at 8pm.