AUTUMN SHOW REPORT

Despite thunder, lightning and a torrential downpour just prior to opening the doors of the Village
Hall, sixteen exhibitors braved the elements and brought their entries for the annual Autumn Show.

Our two Judges were Mr and Mrs Smith, retired gardeners to the late Duchess of Portland at
Welbeck Abbey, Nottinghamshire. Between them they had to judge a total of 175 entries, varying
from petite cherry tomatoes to giant leeks, sumptuous soft fruits, beautiful flowers and a mouth-
watering array of home cooking and preserves, as well as the multifarious exhibits in the handicraft
and photography categories – not an easy task, but one which they enjoyed. They were particularly
impressed with the quality of entries overall, the range of items from our seven junior exhibitors,
and were especially pleased to see the exhibits from Ellison Boulters Academy Gardening Club
members.

Prizes were awarded as follows:

Classes 1 – 16 (Vegetables and Fruit)
Winner: John Whitaker
Runner-Up: Coral Evans
Classes 17 – 31a (Flowers/Pot Plants, Flower Arrangement & Miscellany)
Winner: Iris Whitaker
Runner-Up: Jenny Rose
Classes 32 – 39 (Cookery, Handicraft and Photography)
Winner: Iris Whitaker
Runner-Up: Jenny Rose
Overall Winner on Points (Gibson Trophy)
Awarded to John Whitaker
Best in Show
Awarded to Jenny Rose for her beautiful single spike of Gladioli flower.

Other adult individual class winners were Jenny Williams, Pam Peace, Mike Halliday and Rupert
Hadley.

Juniors: (Something Grown/Made/Cooked/Painted or Drawn about Autumn)

Winner: Ben Picksley
Runner-Up: Freya Hadley
Scarlett and Jemima Potter are to be congratulated for their artistic cookery entries. Georgina
Hadley once again displayed her many talents in growing and making her exhibits, and Vaughan
Whitaker was highly commended for his remote controlled robotic entry.

Our grateful thanks to all exhibitors (without whom the Show wouldn't survive), and to those
Gardening Club members who provided assistance in various capacities during the day.

Village Hanging Basket Competition

Prior to the presentation of Show prizes, we extended a warm welcome to Mandy from Scothern
Nurseries, who are our sponsors. Mandy congratulated the winner, Sandra Ryan of 13 West
Drive, on her superbly designed and planted hanging basket and presented her with first prize,
together with the Bernard Whaler Memorial Trophy. The runners-up prize was awarded to Mike
and Sheila Cannon, 1 Chestnut Close, for their stunning display of begonias.

Now is the time to start selecting and planting those spring bulbs in readiness for the 2016 Spring
Show – plus, the long dark winter evenings can be utilised by using our skills to make various
handicraft items. So come on – support the two Village Shows and make them an event not to be
missed in your social calendar.
NEXT MEETING - SPEAKER EVENING
Monday, 12 October at 7.30 pm in the VillageHall

This meeting is open to all residents, families, friends and fellow gardeners – there is an admission
charge of £3 per adult which includes tea/coffee and biscuits. A raffle will also be held.

Our speaker is Trevor Rogers, a renowned fruit growing consultant and horticultural specialist.
Trevor was a founder member of the Northern Fruit Group and took on the role of its Chairman for
the first five years of its life.

His talk entitled “Apple Trees – Their Care and Identification”, should be of interest to first-time
apple tree growers up to and including custodians of established orchards. Cultivating fruit can be
particularly tricky in this region and Trevor can advise on all aspects of culture as well as
suggesting which varieties to grow if you are considering planting new trees. If your apple trees are
suffering from pests and diseases, he can also offer advice on how to deal with them provided you
can supply samples or photographic evidence of the problem. Apple identification can also be done
provided that examples are brought along on the night. Many gardeners lack confidence when it
comes to pruning apple trees and Trevor can guide us through the principles and practice of this
skill.

A warm welcome is extended to all and we look forward to welcoming you on the night. If you
require any further information, please contact John and Iris Whitaker on Lincoln 751198.