FOUR Marks Horticultural Society’s annual summer show at the village hall has been heralded a “great success” by organisers.

The event saw 33 members produce 290 entries, slightly down on last year’s showing, but “hardly surprising given the weather 2016 has thrown at us”.

Organisers said that “flowers and vegetables were much in evidence with dahlias and hydrangeas particularly well represented”.

With so many blooms of “a commendably high standard” the judge had a “formidable task” making the awards. Orchids too were a “sight to behold”, but Rosie Giles’ cymbidium ultimately trumped the opposition.

It was a similar story with vegetables with 11 entries in the runner bean class. Again the judge had his work cut out but, in the end, settled on Norman Day’s entry.

The floral art competition goes “from strength to strength” and this summer’s offering was said to surpass all previous events. Sylvia Muskett triumphed in this section winning both awards on offer.

The cookery classes were again well represented, as usual the men-only class attracted a strong entry with seven taking part – and there were no fewer than nine Victoria sponge cakes to judge. Sylvia Muskett won this class as well and with it the award for Best in Show for cookery.

The handicraft classes demonstrated a wide range of skills, but Best in Show was awarded to Pippa Cockhead for her table runner which was said to be “exquisitely crafted”. Society president Mike Scruse was also pleased to gain a first place with his painting of a tree.

The show, on August 20, opened to the public at 2.30pm and over the next 90 minutes around 120 people filled the hall.

On entering the foyer, visitors were greeted by Mr Potter, created by Harry Martin, a figure made of flowerpots and vegetables. Beyond this were tables displaying a selection of photographs which had been taken at Four Marks Primary School horticultural competition.

The Howarth Trophy for the best exhibit in the competition was won this year by Gracie Marshall for her marzipan mouse.

This is the third year the society has run this event in conjunction with the school and, once again, it has proved to be “particularly successful”.

Judges Gill Breeze, Annette and Norman Day were “suitably impressed” by the high standard of the exhibits and the enthusiasm displayed by the pupils. They also thanked teacher Teresa Hammond for her efforts.

Individual awards:

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

The Howarth Trophy (best exhibit in the dahlia classes): Mike Saltmarsh.

The Dorothy Webber Cup (best exhibit of annuals or perennials): Norman Day for his vase of sweet peas.

The Rose Cup (best exhibit in the rose classes): Rosie Giles.

The Page Cup (most points in the pot plant classes): Norman Day.

The Julie Lander Shield (awarded to the member gaining the most points in the vegetable classes): Harry Martin.

The Village News Cup (best exhibit in the vegetable classes): Mike Saltmarsh.

The Woods Cup (best exhibit in the fruit classes): Derek Seaton for his cooking apples.

The Jubilee Rose Bowl (most points in the floral art classes): Sylvia Muskett.

The Peggy Munday Cup (best exhibit in the floral art classes): Sylvia Muskett.

The Dr Margaret Hall Cup (novice class in floral art): Sue Rossell.

The Cookery Cup (best exhibit in the cookery classes): Sylvia Muskett for her Victoria sponge.

The Handicraft Trophy (best exhibit in the handicraft section): Pippa Cockhead for her hand-made table runner.

The Gwen Topliss Cup (winner of the knitting class): Annette Day.

The Alice Cooper Cup (best exhibit in the painting and photography classes): Peter Cooper for his photograph of an agricultural scene.

The Family Challenge Cup (family gaining the most first, second and third prizes): Annette and Norman Day.

The Banksian Medal, the premier award of the show, presented by the RHS, to the exhibitor gaining the greatest value of prize money in the flower and vegetable classes, was won by Harry Martin.

The Garthowen Cup (best container and judged prior to the show): Sylvia Muskett.