Yapton's colourful show beats winter blues

The seemingly never-ending winter could not prevent members from staging an arrestingly colourful display of the better daffodils currently available, complemented by various pot plants and flowering shrubs in the classes for ornamentals.

Rhubarb, sprouting broccoli and potatoes from store featured in the vegetable exhibits.

As is well established in Yapton, there were some first-class flower arrangements, and the prize winners in the cookery classes were well distributed among the exhibitors, whether young or old, man or woman.

The judge of the photographic section most usefully posted comments upon all the images presented, and each of the five children entered several classes in the section for younger exhibitors.

In all, 34 people, (two in Yapton for the first time), submitted 224 entries, making the best supported spring show for a number of years.

More than 100 visitors attended during the afternoon, taking time to study the entries, then availing themselves of the offerings of the side stalls: plants, cakes, home made greetings cards, the National Lottery 'bonus ball', raffle and light refreshments.

Part of the appeal of showing in Yapton was revealed by having entries from Surrey and visitors from Portsmouth. The membership secretary was pleased with the number of subscriptions paid.

The afternoon concluded with the presentation of trophies. Despite close competition, show secretary David Donovan retained The Harry March Cup for most points in the horticultural classes and society chairman Roy Phillips kept the Pratt Trophy as the most successful cookery exhibitor.

Ten-year-old Olivia Lisle won the Junior Spring Cup for her prizes in the children's classes. She also had a first prize in the adult cookery classes and then drew the tickets for the raffle.

The cottage gardeners' next event is on the evening of April 2, when John Potts reveals stories of the 1950s.

The summer bedding plant sale will be held on the morning of Saturday, May 3 and the early summer show will be held on Saturday, June 21.