FOUR Marks Horticultural Society’s summer show served to highlight just how resilient gardeners can be.

While a challenge, due to adverse weather conditions, overall exhibits were were up on last year and competition was strong, according to organisers.

Club secretary Norman Day said: “With gardening, every year throws its challenge to the keen horticulturist. 2018, it has to be said, has been more challenging than most. After the Beast From the East forced the cancellation of the spring show and put back plant growth by more than a month, our summer weather produced more extremes of heat and drought.

“Whereas this was a welcome change to our often gloomy summers, for gardeners the constant round of watering became more than a little tiresome.”

But while he was expecting a dearth of entries for the show, held on August 18 at Four Marks village hall, it proved far from the case. While entries in the flower and vegetable classes were slightly lower than usual, overall 32 society members produced 305 entries - “well in excess of last year’s showing” which, enthused Mr Day, was “a creditable effort and a demonstration of our members’ enthusiasm.”

There were entries in all of the flower classes with the award for best exhibit going to Carole Pullen for a vase of asters.

“It was evident some pot plants had enjoyed the tropical weather, with geraniums and a dipladenia being particularly noteworthy,” said Mr Day.

Carole Pullen also won best exhibit in the vegetable classes with her plate of coloured potatoes.

While tomatoes tended to dominate in the vegetable classes, fruit appeared to have enjoyed the weather with a good showing of apples and berries.

The floral art division attracted a record number of entries and was the highlight of the show.

Mr Day said: “The 30 exhibits presented judge Maureen Lawes with quite a task and it was pleasing to hear her comment that the Four Marks exhibitors present some of the best work to be found in the local area!”

Best Exhibit was won by Sylvia Muskett for her arrangement ‘From the Garden’.

The cookery classes were also at near-record levels.

Mr Day said: “One couldn’t help feeling sorry for judge Margaret Williams who had to work her way through fourteen boiled fruit cakes!” The winner was Elizabeth Craigen.

Best Exhibit in the cookery classes was won by Carole Pullen for her vegetarian pie.

Handicraft classes demonstrate the wide range of skills which exist within the membership which this year ranged from knitted items and handmade jewellery to painting and drawing. Best in show, however, was won by Norman Day for carving of a ‘Fish taking a Dragonfly’.

Around 120 villagers and friends filled the hall when the show was opened to the public who, as well as admiring the exhibits, were able to buy plants, cakes and homemade produce and enjoy refreshments from the Green Welly Cafe.

As the show drew to a close, Society president Mike Scruse thanked everyone involved for their efforts in putting the show together and to the public for attending before presenting the awards.

results:

Alan Fox Cup (Most points in flower classes, excluding vase of flowers): Mike Saltmarsh.

Howarth Trophy (Best exhibit in dahlia classes): Mike Saltmarsh.

Dorothy Webber Cup (Best exhibit of annuals or perennials): Carole Pullen.

Rose Cup (Best exhibit in rose classes): Linda Osborn.

Page Cup (Most points in the pot plant class): Norman Day.

Julie Lander Shield (Most points in vegetable classes): Rosie Giles.

Village News Cup (Best exhibit in vegetable classes): Carole Pullen.

Woods Cup (Best exhibit in fruit classes): Yvonne Seaton.

Jubilee Rose Bowl (Most points in floral art classes 59-63): Sylvia Muskett.

Peggy Munday Cup (Best exhibit in floral art classes 59-63): Sylvia Muskett.

Flower Bowl (Most points in floral art classes 64-65): Sue Rossell.

Dr Margaret Hall Cup (Best exhibit in floral art classes 64-65): Sue Rossell.

Rolling Pin Award (Most points in cookery classes: Sue Rossell.

Cookery Cup (Best exhibit in cookery classes): Carole Pullen.

Handicraft Award (Most points in handicraft classes): Norman Day.

Handicraft Trophy (Best exhibit in handicraft section): Norman Day.

Gwen Topliss Cup (Winner of knitting and sewing class): Alison Hamblin.

Alice Cooper Cup (Best exhibit in painting and photography classes): Sylvia Muskett.

Family Challenge Cup (Family gaining most 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes): Tricia and Mike Saltmarsh.

Banksian Medal (Exhibitor gaining most prize money in flower and vegetable classes): Mike Saltmarsh.

Garthowen Cup (Best container): Carole Pullen.

nThe next meeting of Four Marks Horticultural Society will take place at Four Marks village hall next Monday (September 11) at 7.30pm. Thomas Stone give a talk entitled ‘Winter Plants’. Non-members are welcome.