DESPITE challenging growing conditions, gardeners triumphed to produce a riot of colour and fragrance at Ambleside’s Summer Flower, Produce and Craft Show.

Vegetables proved the biggest disappointment, with even the most seasoned growers having little to show for weeks of cool, wet weather – which made the entry of four perfect potatoes a deserved winner of ‘best in show’ Blue Riband for James Park.

“It’s not been an easy season by any means but we’re not com-plaining,” Horticultural Society president Peter Howarth said.

“Vegetable growers didn’t have much to offer, but what they had, they brought along and the quality is very good.”

Flowers and shrub entries fared better, though sweet peas were declared a disaster this year.

However, every cloud has a silver lining and rainy conditions produced a bumper display of hydrangeas. “This year’s show is a triumph of skill and hope over weather. Trophies were earned, not won,” exhibitor Leslie Johnson said.

Entries in many other classes increased, including eggs, cookery and photography. Craft entries displayed extraordinary talent and variety, from a waste paper basket made delicately from folded strips of maps, to exquisite examples of Dorothy Johnson’s smocking, as well as embroidery, lace, soft toys and lifelike flowers sculpted out of cold porcelain.

Children’s entries included several prize-winning contributions from the young Purcell family, and 10-year-old Josie Hill’s carved stick handle earned her a highly commended award in open handicraft.

Cookery classes were similarly impressive, as were individual flower arrangements from Jill Cooper and Jane Binns among others.

Trophy winners:

Most points in classes; J Park; most points in show: C Atkinson; show president’s trophy: Judith Cochrane; most points in vegetable classes: C Atkinson; class 75: A Mitchinson; best exhibit in rose classes: Sally Mulholland; best exhibit in vegetable classes: J Park; best exhibit in flower classes: J Binns; most points in classes 101-117 and 303-313: Jill Smith; most points in dahlia classes 49-58: J Park; outstanding exhibit in horticulture: M Bate; best flower arrangement in sections 303-311: Jill Smith; longest runner bean: C Atkinson; most points in flower classes 41-95 and 101-120 for resident of Ambleside and Rydal: J Binns; most points in novices floral art 303-311: Jill Smith; best exhibit in cookery section: D Cousins; most points in handicraft classes: V Jackson; most points in children's section A: Erin Kirkham; most points in children's sections B: Oswin Chen; most points in children's section C: Alex Jackson; most points in children’s classes section D: Courtney Jackson; Ambleside Flower Show Cup, best exhibit in children’s classes: Courtney Jackson. Sanderson and Dixon's cup, most points in cookery classes: D Johnson. Mrs HM Swinburn Cup, best exhibit in handcraft classes: D Johnson; most points in pot plant classes 101-120: C Atkinson; most points in pot plant classes, awarded to competitor who has not previously won a trophy at Ambleside: N Mowbray; best exhibit in egg classes: Jessica Arnold; best exhibit in wine classes: Judith Cochrane; best exhibit in fuchsia classes: H Manning; best horticultural exhibit in show: J Park; best exhibit in egg classes: Jessica Arnold; best exhibit in photography classes: Nick Kirkham; most points in egg classes: Jessica Arnold; most points in woodwork: C Bracewell; committee choice of best exhibit in classes 76-77: J Binns; committee choice of best exhibit in classes 303-310: Jill Smith; best exhibit in pot plant classes: C Atkinson; most points in classes 1-38 for residents of the LA22 postal area: C Atkinson; trophy to encourage amateur growers: Alex Jackson; most points in children’s vegetable classes: Ben Faulkner; most points in Handicrafts for residents of Ambleside and district: Verna Jackson; best exhibit by a pre-school child: Erin Kirkham; best exhibit in children’s photographs: Hannah Charnley; best exhibit in cold porcelain; youngest competitor: Connie Irving.