THERE was a ‘riot of colour’ as the green fingered and creative made the Westmorland Horticultural Society’s 78th annual show a great success.

Hundreds of people filed through the doors of Kirkland Parish Hall to see the ‘tremendous’ exhibits put together by gardeners and youngsters from Vicarage Park and Dean Gibson schools.

There was a wide range of prizes up for grabs, with classes for vegetables, fruit, floral art, home produce and, in the schools’ and children’s classes, animal made from fruit and vegetables, a miniature garden and a handwritten poem.

Show chairman Rod Holmes said: “The show is a riot of colour. Considering the year we have had and the washout it has been, this is a tremendous show. We are up on entries and exhibits, which bucks the trend for most shows.

“There are some absolutely fabulous entries. The fruit, vegetables and flowers are outstanding and people from as far as St Bees on the west coast and near Bolton have entered the show.”

The society’s president Rita Hogarth said: “We have had nearly 500 exhibits from schoolchildren and they are the future gardeners, so that is really nice to see.”

Kendal town mayor Coun John Willshaw was there to enjoy the proceedings and was delighted with what he saw.

“It is absolutely brilliant. It has been a really difficult year because of the weather we have had but to see this show and how hard these gardeners have worked is tremendous.

“I enjoy gardening so I know how difficult it has been. Shows like these are very important to the local community. I have really enjoyed being here and I think I might enter the show next year - I grow tomatoes, beans, onions, courgettes and garlic.”

Winners of the prestigious blue ribbon - best exhibit in show - were Endmoor couple Maureen and Jim Holmes, who wowed judges with the quality of the three onions they exhibited.

Maureen said: “We are elated.”

Jim added: “We grow a wide variety of veg and enjoy it. We love the friendships and the friendly rivalry.”

He added that they planned to eat their prize-winning onions, probably cooked with pork or chicken.

For more information on becoming a member of the society, contact secretary Linda Carlisle on 01539 741267.

Results:

Natland Horticultural Society Cup and the Westmorland and N Lancs Federation Blue Ribbon, best exhibit in the show: J & M Robinson
FC King Trophy, best exhibit, fruit: K Preston
Westmorland Gazette Trophy, collection of six vegetables: J & M Robinson
Gatebeck and Endmoor Cup for six onions: Dan Unsworth
Scott Perpetual Challenge Cup, most 1st prizes, open vegetable: D Unsworth
Mrs E Fawcett Cup, best dish of tomatoes: B Stables
Miss Thompson Cup, best runner beans: C Williams
Colonel Crewdson’s Challenge Cup, best plate of potatoes: J & M Robinson
J & L Nicholson Rose Bowl, most 1st prizes, members vegetable: J & M Robinson
Matson Ground Perpetual Challenge Trophy, best vegetable, members: J & M Robinson
Leigh Groves Perpetual Challenge Cup, three vases of cut flowers: J & M Robinson
Mr PF Horner Memorial Trophy, one vase of roses: C Nightingale
JT Cross Memorial Cup, two vases of sweet peas: C Nightingale
J Robinson Perpetual Challenge Trophy: K Preston
Heaves Trophy, best gladioli: M Hewertson
Hogarth Perpetual Challenge Cup, best fuchsias: R Holmes
Denis & Joyce Greenbank Memorial Trophy, best pot plant: J & M Robinson
The Hepworth Shield, most 1st prizes, pot plant: T Anderson
Webb’s Perpetual Challenge Trophy, decorative dahlias: D Woodhouse
Holmes & Sons Perpetual Challenge Trophy, two vases of cactus dahlias: D Woodhouse
WT Fawcett Memorial Trophy, two vases of pompon dahlias: J Gott
Mrs E Fawcett Cup, one bowl of pompon dahlias: J Gott
Henry Cooke Trophy, three vases of spray chrysanthemums: K Raven
JW Wilkinson Perpetual Challenge Trophy, most 1st prizes, members’ flowers: D Woodhouse
Elizabeth Cannan-Jones Perpetual Challenge Cup, most 1st prizes, home produce: M Milburn
George & Dorothy Reiss Perpetual Challenge Trophy, outstanding exhibit, home produce: C Hudson
FC King Cup, best exhibit, wine: J Hudson
Mrs FE Cannan-Jones shield: J Sowerby
Mr & Mrs EJ Southwell Perpetual Challenge Cup: M Milburn
Hilda Marshall Perpetual Challenge Trophy, best exhibit, floral art: M Milburn
Pattinson Perpetual Challenge Vase, best exhibit, children: E Harker
Brockbank Perpetual Challenge Cup, best exhibit, miniature garden: W Coxen
Leslie G Down Cup, best children’s exhibit under 8: M Wright
Handwriting Cup: M Wright
Nan Wilkinson Shield, school with most points: Vicarage Park School
Rawes Shield, best animal exhibit: L Knaggs
National Vegetable Society silver medal, best vegetable: J & M Robinson. British Gladiolus Society bronze medal, best gladioli spike: M Hewertson
British Gladiolus Society rosette, best box, gladioli florets: D Woodhouse
British Gladiolus Society silver medal, best exhibit, gladioli: M Hewertson
British Fuchsia Society crested spoon, best fuchsia: R Holmes
Pelargonium & Geranium Society silver card, best geranium: M Millburn
National Dahlia Society silver medal, best dahlias: D Woodhouse
National Chrysanthemum Society silver medal, best chrysanthemums: K Raven
Banksian Medal, most prize money, horticultural: K Preston