The Malborough with South Huish Horticultural Society’s 85th autumn exhibition was held last Saturday, at the village hall.

Overall in total entries had risen slightly across the show’s 161 classes and the quality was still as high as ever. Significant increase in entries were noted in the preserves, cookery and floral art classes

“We were all delighted with the items exhibited, there was a superb collection of vegetables, numerous exceptional vases of colourful dahlias and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves” said secretary and treasurer Keith Steer.

The flowers classes were dominated by Terry Reeves of West Alvington who secured six trophies including the John Clements Cup and the blue ribbon for a wonderful bowl of mixed garden flowers. Bob Gould carried away the silverware with a magnificent peach begonia pot plant and Michele Meyer won the Cottagers flower cups

John Lee from Woolston triumphed in the open vegetable section winning the cup for most points and also the Stan and Pat Janes Perpetual Challenge Cup and blue ribbon with his superb collection of vegetable and the Hurrell Cup with an outstanding plate of potatoes.

Jackie Fairbairn will be toasting her success in the cottage vegetable section, winning the Overbeck Cup for the first time.

The local exhibitor gaining the most points in the show, with his 24 first prizes, and winning the prestigious Vereker Cup was Keith Steer who also secured the Pinhays Cup for photography, the Society cup for preserves, the Margaret Ayre Memorial Cup for cookery and a blue ribbon with his lemon curd.

In the handicraft section Judith Stephenson will be requiring the silver polish as she secured the cup and also won the wine trophy. Janis Fice won the toy cup with an exquisite miniature creation, Anita Elliott and Rita Fairchild shared the painting cup with their wonderful efforts and Ed Hill won the hobby cup with a magnificent cricket made from metal utensil which drew much praise.

Susan Higgs won the Minns Cup with her very colourful entries depicting “Pleasure of Summer” in the floral art section. The junior sections were as imaginative as ever attracting some very creative exhibits and the awards were won by Evie Rolfe and sisters Maisie and Millie Prowse.

At the end of the day the trophies were presented by President Wendy Stevens, which included the best garden competition, judged during the summer months, which was won by Tony Leete and herself and The Wood Golden Jubilee trophy shared by Pauline and John Cole and Pat Wood.

The President and committee were very grateful to the judges who gave their time and efforts free of charge and were Ricky Hoskin, Bill Radmore and Sheila Glanville - vegetables, Harry and Merle Colclough - flowers, Jackie Case and Bob Gould - gardens, Cynthia Morgan - floral art, Pat Janes - preserves and junior cookery, Judy Foss - cookery, Helen Reeve - juniors, Jeremy Willcocks - photography, Adrienne Blake - handicrafts, and Luis Hernaiz - wines, and also to all those who helped in any way to make the show a success.The great event was slightly marred when someone stole the six foot by two foot banner that Keither Steer had at the top of his garden to advertise the show. Keith said: "Before I had chance to take it down on the Sunday it has been stolen. I walked around the village thinking someone may have taken as a prank and ditched it but I could find nothing."

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RESULTS:

Wood Golden Jubilee Trophy: Pauline & John Cole and Pat Wood: President’s Millennium Prize: Wendy Stevens, Twentyfourteen Prize: Tony Leete, Vereker Cup: Keith Steer, Runner up: Jane Vaughan, Overbeck Cup: Jackie Fairbairn, Runner up: Marguerite Pritchard, Yeoman Cup: Michele Meyer, Hargreaves Cup: Judith Stephenson, Runner up: Jane Vaughan, Fairwinds Cup: Michele Meyer, Joyce & Raymond Parsons Memorial Cup: Terry Reeves, Doris Wood Centenary Memorial Cup: Bob Gould, Hobby Cup: Ed Hill, Pinhays Cup: Keith Steer, Runner up: Jane Vaughan, Society Sup: Keith Steer, Runner up: Judith Stephenson, Margaret Ayre Memorial Cup: Keith Steer, Runner up: Peter Roberts, Jackson Cup: Judith Stephenson, Runner up: Peter Roberts, The MSHHS Cup: John Lee, Runner up: Roy Tucker, The Pat & Stan Janes Perpetual Challenge Cup: John Lee, Minns Cup: Winner: Susan Higgs, Runners up: Jackie Case and Janis Fice John Clements Cup: Terry Reeves, Runner up: Bob Gould, Albert Pepperell Memorial Bowl: Winner: Terry Reeves, runner up: Mike Bowles, Steer Cup: Terry Reeves, Cumber Cup: Terry Reeves, Isabelle Countin Cup: Millie Prowse, Galmpton Cup: Evie Rolfe and Maisie Prowse, Painting Cup: Winners: Anita Elliott and Rita Fairchild, Soar Cup: Millie Prowse, Collaton Goblet: Maisie Prowse, Jack Yeoman Memorial Cup: Millie Prowse, Stuffed Toy Cup: Janis Fice, Potato Cup: John Lee, Fuchsia Cup: Terry Reeves

Blue Ribbons: Vegetables: John Lee (Collection of veg) Flowers: Terry Reeves (Bowl of mixed garden flowers), Homecraft: Keith Steer (Lemon curd)

Replica Cups: TJ Reeves (2), JN Lee, Mrs J Stephenson, R Gould, KA Steer, Mrs A Elliott, M Prowse and R Tucker

First Prize Winners: KA Steer (24), JN Lee (15), Mrs J Stephenson (11), TJ Reeves (10), R Tucker & Millie Prowse (7), P Roberts (5) Maisie Prowse & Mrs P Wood (4), AR Church, Mrs H Frazier-Roberts, Mrs S Hine, Mrs E M Pritchard (3) MJ Bowles, Mrs J Fairbairn, Mrs J Fice, M Hine, Divena Mitchell, Evie Rolfe, Mrs C Turner (2), Mrs J Case, Mrs C Cuming, Mrs A Elliott, Mrs R Fairchild, R Gould, Mrs S Higgs, E Hill, M Howells, Mrs S Monahan, Mrs M Meyer, Mrs J Robinson, Mrs P Saxby, T Turner, J Vaughan & Mrs B Wesley (1) other prize winners: Ms I Berndt, Mrs E Bond, Mrs P Cole, Mrs S Cooper, C Dunton, Mrs P Dunton, Mrs P Handley & Mrs EA Lee