THERE were so many entries for Ambleside’s Summer Flower & Produce Show that organisers ran out of space at the Kelsick Centre. “We were choc-a-bloc, even with extra tables”, Ambleside Horticultural Society secretary David Capstick said. “The hot weather bounced everything, and parents sparked the children into action too. “We’ve also seen the return of several regular exhibitors after a year or two, and our competitors have done us proud.” After the wettest summer last year and the coldest spring in decades, it only took the rain to stop and the sun to shine for a few weeks to see entries shoot up right across the board. President Peter Howarth was delighted with the turnout, while seasoned flower and dahlia judge Mike Thornton praised the quality of gladioloi and fuschia, with special mention for floral art: “Entries are as high as they’ve ever been, with double the usual numbers. Everything is good this year - mind you, we’d probably already had 100 inches of rain by this time last summer! The weather has made all the difference.” Faultless roses, perfect dahlia and fragrant sweet peas were eventually pipped to the post for Best in Show Blue Riband by six perfectly shaped shallots, grown by Coniston’s award-winning master gardener David Johnson. Yet whatever the conditions, local gardeners are adept at adapting, using ‘crafty’ ingenuity to overcome every adversity - and this year was no exception for Verna Jackson. When her son Paul announced five days before the show that his prize peas had all been eaten by the birds, crafty Verna got out her knitting needles and decided to knit some instead. “I found a pattern for peas, leeks and carrots, but I only just got my crop ready in time, finishing in the early hours of Friday morning!” Judges rewarded Verna’s veggies with a first prize as well as a special commendation in the crafts section, and the rot-resistant, weather-proof woolly varieties kept visitors chuckling all weekend. Prize winners were: Cups & Trophies: RHS Banksias Medal, most points in classes (past winners exempt for two years): R. Holmes. Jubilee Trophy, most points in show: R. Holmes. President’s Trophy, show president’s personal choice: A. Mitchinson. T.R. Hayes Perpetual Cup, most points, vegetable class: R. Holmes. June Campbell Cup class 75: B. Sanderson, A. Greaves. James A. Richardson Cup, best exhibit, roses: Jill Morris. B.G. Elleray Cup, best exhibit, vegetables: D.W. Johnson. G.E. Campbell Cup, best exhibit, flowers: A. Mitchinson. W.L. Campbell Memorial Salver, most points, classes 101-107, 303-313: B. Sanderson, A. Greaves. S. Capstick Salver, most points, dahlias: D.W. Johnson. Ambleside Flower Show Cup, most points, children’s section B: Erin Kirkham. Chairman’s Cup, most points, children’s section C. Ambleside Flower Show cup, most points, children’s classes, section D: Molly Scarlet. Ambleside Flower Show Cup, best exhibit in children’s classes: Carlos Purcell. Sanderson and Dixon’s Cup, most points, cookery: M. Milburn. Mrs H.M. Swinburn Cup, best exhibit, handcraft: J. Harrop. Sydney Pickett Cup, most points, pot plant, classes 101-120: R.Holme, L. Johnson. Leslie Johnson Cup, most points, pot plant, competitor not previously won a trophy at Ambleside: C. Wright. Standor Cup, best exhibit in Club Class: Bowness. G.C. Taylor Cup, best exhibit, eggs: Jessica Arnold. W. Woodburn Cup, best exhibit, wine: C.W. Wright. Jack Gregg Trophy, best exhibit, fuchsia: S.K. Mullholland. W& NLF Blue Ribbon, best horticultural exhibit in show: D.W. Johnson. A Rosette, best exhibit, eggs: Jessica Arnold. A Trophy, best exhibit, photography: A. Faulkner. Poultry Industry Trophy, most points, eggs: Jessica Arnold. Geoffrey Hayes Cup, outstanding exhibit, horticulture, competitor not won a trophy in this year’s show: M. Bate, J. Mussion. Victoria Harrison Cup, best flower arrangement: B. Sanderson, A. Greaves. Chris Lewis Tankard, longest runner bean: C. Atkinson. H. Bickerstaff Cup, most points, flower classes 41-95, 101-120, resident of Rydal: S.K. Mulholland. Ambleside Flower Show Cup, most points, Novices Floral Art: J. Sowerby. M.R. Fielding Cup, best exhibit, cookery: D. Cousins. E.M. Howard-Smith Cup, most points, handicraft: V. Jackson. Ambleside Flower Show Cup, most points, children’s section A: Tiana Purcell. Holmes of Natland Millennium Cup, committee choice, best exhibit, E.A. Mitchinson. Holmes of Natland Millennium Cup, committee choice best exhibit: A. Irwin. Victoria and Keith Marshall Cup, best exhibit, pot plant: L. Johnson. John Todd Cup, most points, residents of LA22 postal area: C. Atkinson. Deighton Nurseries of York Trophy, encourage amateur growers: Alex Jackson. Peter and Glynis Newton Trophy, most points, children’s vegetable class: Ben Faulkner. Taylor Trophy, most points, handicrafts for residents of Ambleside and District: Verna Jackson. Ambleside Flower Show Trophy, best exhibit, pre-school child: Erin Kirkham. Ambleside Flower Show Trophy, best exhibit, children’s photographs: Courtney Jackson. Carpenter Trophy, youngest competitor in Ambleside: Isla Hewitt. Ambleside Flower Show Trophy, best exhibit, cold porcelain: E. Crossland.

Results.
Vegetables. 4 Potatoes – coloured: 1 DW Johnson; 2 A Irwin; 3 C Atkinson. 2 white & 2 coloured: 1 C Atkinson. White: C Atkinson. Peas: 1 M Bate & J Musson; 2&3 DW Johnson. Runner beans: 1&2 DW Johnson; 3 C Atkinson. Longest runner bean: 1 C Atkinson. French bean: 1&2 DW Johnson; 3 C Atkinson. Broad beans: 1 C Atkinson; 2 M Bate & J Musson; 3 A Irwin. Heaviest marrow: 1 C Atkinson. 2 table marrows: 1 J Musson; 2 A Irwin; 3 C Atkinson. Onions: 1 R Holmes; 2 DW Johnson; 3 C Atkinson. Heaviest onion: 1 DW Johnson; 2 R Holmes; 3 C Atkinson. Tomatoes: 1 C Atkinson; 2 M Bate & J Musson; 3 B Haydock. Cabbage: 1 R Holmes; 2 C Atkinson. Beetroot: 1&2 DW Johnson; 3 C Atkinson. Turnips: 1 C Atkinson. 1 specimen vegetable plus 1 flower stem: 1 DW Johnson; 2 C Atkinson; 3 R Holmes. Shallots: 1&2 DW Johnson; 3 C Atkinson. Rhubarb: 1 M Milburn; 2 A Irwin; 3 M Bate & J Musson. Cucumbers: 1 J Musson; 2 J Johnson; 3 C Atkinson. Leeks – two blanch: 1 V Jackson. Two pot: 1 DW Johnson. Ambleside Horticultural Society Top Tray Award: 1 C Atkinson. Collection of 6 kinds of Salading or Salad Vegetables: 1 M Bate & J Musson; 2 C Atkinson. Selection of mixed vegetables arranged for effect in a basket or other suitable container: 1 J Johnson; 2 C Atkinson; 3 M Bate & J Musson. Fruit. Dish of soft fruit, 1 or more varieties: 1 M Bate & J Musson; 2 C Wright. Flowers. Collection of ornamental grasses: 1 R Holmes. Collection of cut foliage: 1 R Holmes; 2 Alex Jackson; 3 Courtney Jackson. One rose bloom: 1&2 R Holmes; 3 DW Johnson. One stem of roses: 1 Jill Morris; 2 SK Mulholland; 3 DW Johnson. 1 stem of most fragrant rose, judged for fragrance only: 1 A Irwin; 2 G Dervin. 3 Dahlias – giant or large or medium decorative: 1 DW Johnson. Small or miniature decorative: 1 Alex Jackson; 2 Courtney Jackson. Small or miniature cactus or semi cactus: 1 DW Johnson. Pom pom: 1&2 DW Johnson. Bowl arranged for effect: 1 R Holmes. Sweet peas – vase of 10 spikes, 1 or more varieties: 1 R Holmes. 6 spikes, any one colour: 1 R Holmes; 2 G Dervin; 3 Courtney Jackson. 1 spike hydrangea, any colour: 1 Courtney Jackson; 2 M Bate & J Musson; 3 Gill Scarlet. 6 violas on board: 1 Alex Jackson; 2 SK Mulholland; 3 Courtney Jackson. Vase of pinks: 1 SK Mulholland. Spike of gladioli: 1&2 R Holmes; 3 A Mitchinson. Herbaceous perennial: 1 R Holmes; 2 SK Mulholland. Phlox: 1 A Mitchinson; 2 G Dervin; 3 SK Mulholland. Bowl of nasturtiums: 1 J Johnson; 2 A Irwin; 3 M Bate & J Musson. Vase of buddleia: 1 A Mitchinson; 2 Jill Morris; 3 Courtney Jackson. Calendulas: 1 R Holmes; 2 C Wright; 3 M Bate & J Musson. Ambleside Horticultural Society Top Vase Award: 1 B Sanderson & A Greaves; 2 R Holmes; 3 A Mitchinson. Patio containers: 1 SK Mulholland; 2 A Mitchinson; 3 P Howarth. Planted troughs: 1 R Holmes. Hanging baskets or pots: 1 A Mitchinson. Pot plants. Flowering plant – pot size less than 5 inches: 1 P Howarth; 2 L Johnson; 3 J Howarth. Pot size more than 5 inches: 1 R Holmes; 2 C Wright. Begonia, large flowered: 1 L Johnson. Fern: 1 R Holmes; 2 C Atkinson; 3 B Sanderson & A Greaves. Foliage plant, any kind, ferns excluded – pot size less than 5 inches: 1 DW Johnson; 2 L Johnson; 3 V Jackson. Pot size more than 5 inches: 1&2 L Johnson; 3 A Mitchinson. 1 fuchsia, shrub or bush -  pot size less than 5 inches: 1&2 DW Johnson. Any size pot: 1 SK Mulholland; 2 DW Johnson; 3 P Jackson. Cactus or succulent: 1 C Atkinson; 2 EO Haydock; 3 B Haydock. 3 cacti or succulent staged for effect: 1 C Atkinson; 2 B Sanderson & A Greaves. Pot of ornamental grasses: 1 R Holmes. Handicrafts. Handmade soft toy or doll: 1 D Johnson; 2 B Jackson; 3 J Sowerby. Knitted garment –double knitting wool: 1&2 B Jackson; 3 M Milburn. 4 ply wool or thinner: 1 B Jackson; 2&3 M Milburn. Handmade lace: 1,2&3 V Jackson. Canvas work: 1 J Harrop. Homemade box, decorated any medium: 1 J Hodgson. Any article, needlework: 1 J Harrop; 2 E Fawkes; 3 D Johnson. Any appliqué: 1 D Johnson. Item for the home: 1&2 V Jackson, 3 D Johnson. Handmade bookmark: 1 V Jackson; 2 N Kirkham; 3 J Hodgson. Handmade cold porcelain: 1&3 E Crossland; 2 T Barton. Any other handicraft: 1 J Johnson; 2&3 Joan Almond. Painting or drawing, any medium: 1 Jill Morris; 2 J Hodgson. Colour photograph – rural or landscape: 1 Jill Morris; 2 SK Mulholland; 3 M Capstick. Colour photograph – in the garden: Amanda Faulkner; 2 Anthony Morris; 3 PA Thompson. Photograph of childhood: 1 N Kirkham; 2 M Capstrick; 3 June Butterfield. Photograph of animal or animals, bird or birds: 1&2 SK Mulholland; 3 PA Thompson. Any amusing photograph: 1 Jill Morris; 2&3 N Kirkham. Photograph – festivals and celebrations: 1 Beth Irwin; 2 N Kirkham; 3 PA Thompson. Photograph of a holiday in the sun: 1&2 N Kirkham. Cookery. Jar of raspberry jam: 1 P Carpenter; 2 A Chapman & B Haydock; 3 B Powley. Jar of strawberry jam: 1 SK Mulholland; 2 M Milburn; 3 B Powley. Jar of any other jam: 1 C Wright; 2 J Harrop; 3 B Haydock. Jar of marmalade: 1 JM Chapman; 2 SK Mulholland; 3 P Carpenter. Jar of lemon curd: 1 M Milburn; 2 C Wright. Jar of chutney: 1 M Milburn; 2 R Kirkham; 3 D Gregory. Jar of fruit jelly – any variety: 1 B Haydock. Date and walnut loaf: 1 J Harrop; 2 P Carpenter; 3 D Johnson. Dish of brandy butter: 1 D Cousins. Dish of rum butter – light or dark: 1 D Cousins; 2 P Carpenter; 3 M Milburn. 4 pieces of currant pasty: 1 SK Mulholland; 2 M Milburn. 4 pieces of tray bake – named: 1 N Kirkham; 2 D Johnson; 3 M Milburn. An iced coffee and walnut cake with buttercream filling: 1 P Carpenter; 2 D Cousins; 3 B Haydock. 3 bakewell tarts: 1 P Carpenter; 2 M Milburn. 4 pieces of flapjacks: 1 D Cousins; 2 M Milburn; 3 N Kirkham. 3 chocolate muffins: 1 L Scarlet; 2 D Gregory; 3 A Irwin. 3 cheese scones: 1 D Cousins; 2 N Kirkham; 3 P Carpenter. 3 fruit scones: 1 D Gregory; 2 R Kirkham; 3 L Scarlet. Round of shortbread: 1 M Milburn; 2 R Kirkham; 3 SK Mulholland. 4 pieces no bake cake: 1 N Kirkham; 2 P Carpenter & L Scarlet. Piece of gingerbread - approximately 1lb in weight: 1 M Milburn; 2 B Haydock; 3 D Gregory. Disaster class – a piece of baking gone wrong: 1 N Kirkham. Rich fruit cake: 1 D Cousins; 2 A Glaister. Fruit loaf to butter (no yeast):1&3 M Milburn; 2 D Cousins. 3 decorated cup cakes: 1 R Kirkham; 2 N Kirkham; 3 Beth Irwin. Sandwich cake – one cake, split, filled with jam: 1 N Kirkham; 2 Pam Black; 3 B Haydock. My favourite cake: 1&2 D Gregory; 3 D Cousins. Men only – any baking: 1 Vic Cousins; 2 N Kirkham; 3 D Carpenter. Wine.  1 flower any colour – sweet: 1 C Wright. 1 small bottle of liqueur: 1 Judith Cockrane; 2 J Musson; 3 M Bate & J Musson. Children’s Classes. Pre school - Edible Monster: 1 Oswin Chen. Decorated stone: 1&2 Tiana Purcell. 2 gingerbread men: 1 Isla Hewitt; 2&3 Tiana Purcell. Birthday card – size A5: 1 Tiana Purcell. Infant school – Edible monster: 1 Erin Kirkham. Decorated stone: 1. Erin Kirkham; 2 Rio Purcell; 3 Oswin Chen. Painting or drawing in any medium – size A4: 1 Sid Jackson; 2 Oswin Chen; 3 Erin Kirkham. Decorated paper plate: 1 Erin Kirkham; 2 Rio Purcell; 3 Oswin Chen. 2 gingerbread men: 1 Erin Kirkham; 2 S Hewitt; 3 Oswin Chen. Birthday card – size A5: 1 Erin Kirkham; 2 Rio Purcell. Necklace made from sweets or pasta: 1 Erin Kirkham; 2 Oswin Chen; 3 Erin Kirkham & Ava Powley. Any article in needlework: 1 Erin Kirkham; 2 Oswin Chen. Any other item – size 15 cm x 15 cm: 1&2 Oswin Chen; 3 Rio Purcell. Junior school age – Painting or drawing in any medium – original design – size A4: 1 Carlos Purcell; 2 Lisa Morton; 3 Sam Scarlet. 2 photographs – size 8” x 6” including mount: 1 Ben Faulkner; 2&3 Carlos Purcell. Handwriting – your own choice – size A4: 1&2 Lisa Morton; 3 Peony Chen. Original poem – size A4: 1 Lisa Morton; 2 Carlos Purcell; 3 Jose Purcell. 3 scones on a plate: 1 Peony Chen; 2 Lisa Morton; 3 Sam Scarlet. Decorated paper plate: 1 Peony Chen; 2 Alex Jackson; 3 Lisa Morton. 1 flower displayed with 1 vegetable: 1 Ben Faulkner; 2 Alex Jackson; 3 Lisa Morton. Collection of 3 different vegetables grown by exhibitor: 1 Ben Faulkner. Potatoes – 4, any colour: 1 Ben Faulkner. Runner beans -4 beans: 1 Lisa Morton. Longest runner bean: 1 Lisa Morton. Rhubarb – 2 sticks: 1 Sam Scarlet. Walking stick in wood or horn: 1&2 Lisa Morton; 3 Ellen Dixon. Edible Monster: 1 Ben Faulkner & Highly Rec; 2 Emely-Kate Unsworth; 3 Alex Jackson. Any article in needlework: 1 Peony Chen; 2 Lisa Morton; 3 Sam Scarlet. Any other item - size 15 cm x 15 cm:  1 Peony Chen; 2 Lisa Morton; 3 Carlos Purcell. Secondary school. Sandwich cake: 1 Molly Scarlet. Painting or drawing, any medium: 1&3 Molly Scarlet; 2 Emma Lafferty. Collage: 1 Molly Scarlet. 2 photographs – size 8” x 6” including mount: 1 Courtney Jackson. 1 flower displayed with 1 vegetable: 1 Courtney Jackson. Rhubarb: 1 Molly Scarlet. Vase of flowers: 1 Courtney Jackson; 2 Molly Scarlet. Any article handicraft: 1&2 Hannah Charnley. Any handwriting or calligraphy: 1 Molly Scarlet. Decorated gift wrapped parcel: 1 Courtney Jackson; 2&3 Molly Scarlet. Homemade toy: 1 Courtney Jackson; 2&3 Hannah Charnley. Original poem – 1 Molly Scarlet. Article in needlework: 1 Molly Scarlet. Any other article produced as school coursework: 1&2 Shannon Lafferty. Eggs. 3 large eggs – brown: 1 D Underhill; 2 A Mitchinson; 3 B Powley. Tinted: 1 J Arnold; 2 B Powley. Any other colour: 1 J Arnold; 2 B Mitchinson; 3 B Powley. 6 eggs, large or bantam, any colour: 1 J Arnold; 2&3 B Powley. 3 waterfowl eggs: 1 J Arnold. 1 supreme egg – hen: 1 B Powley; 2 A Mitchinson; 3 D Underhill. Bantam: 1 B Powley. 3 eggs, different colours, large or Bantam: 1 J Arnold; 2 B Powley. 1 egg, broken for contents: 1 J Arnold; 2&3 B Powley. Open floral art. Basket of foliage: 1 B Sanderson & A Greaves; 2 Jill Smith; 3 J Sowerby. Basket of flowers: 1&3 M Milburn; 2 B Sanderson & A Greaves. Vase of herbs or medicinal plants: 1 B Sanderson & A Greaves; 2 A Irwin; 3 M Milburn. Arrangement in unusual container: 1 J Sowerby; 2&3 M Milburn. Miniature exhibit: 1 Jill Smith, 2 M Milburn; 3 J Sowerby. Petite exhibit: 1 Jill Smith; 2 J Sowerby; 3 M Milburn. Button hole: 1&2 J Sowerby; 3 M Milburn. Exhibit for flower clubs and WIs, summertime on the fells: 1 Bowness WI.