A BUMPER crowd enjoyed the 131st Rusland Valley Horticultural Society Show and Sports at the weekend.

After last year’s show was all but washed out, those who came saw a varied programme of exhibits, displays, sports, hound trails and demonstrations.

Jean Woodhouse won three cups and J Ather-smith from Newland once more scooped the Blue Ribbon for the best horticultural exhibit, this time with near-perfect tomatoes.

All-rounder Margaret Postlethwaite won the Fardy Jackson Trophy as the most successful exhibitor in cut flowers, home produce, handicraft and photo-graphy, and she was also the points winner in home produce.

The most successful competitor in the floral art classes was Rebecca Knipe, with excellent entries including a World War I tribute.

Turning to up-and-coming exhibitors, the much-coveted May Lambert Trophy was awarded to Oscar Buchanan, who was the winner in the Krispie Cakes class.

Ruth Cooper and Amelia Thompson won three children’s classes each.

First-time judge Tom Attwood, of Halecat Nurseries, said he was hugely impressed by the range and quality of the exhibits.

He said: “Given the strange weather we have had, the results are tremendous.”

The Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling was popular and witnessed fierce rivalry between George Wilson and Robert Albion, with George coming out on top.

Organiser Colin Barr said: “With a recently-formed Young Persons committee already having an impact on proceedings, the future of the show looks promising indeed.”

Cup and trophy winners:

Horticulture
Martin Stokes Cup: Jean Wood-house. T&M Williams Cup: DW Johnson. 100th Show Trophy: Jean Woodhouse. F&E Major Centenary Cup: Jean Woodhouse. George Mason Cup: Jean Athersmith. Fardy Jackson Trophy: Margaret Postlethwaite. T.L Threlkeld Cup: Margaret Postlethwaite. Joe Jackson Cup, under 16: Chloe Campbell. Satterthwaite Arts & Crafts Cup: Louise Thompson. Stan Brownlee Cup: Rebecca Knipe. Daphne Dickinson Trophy, U25 floral art: Rebecca Knipe. Jim & Susannah Clark Cup: Ruth Cooper. Watson Centenary Shield: William Patterson. Gordon Wilkinson Trophy: Mel Gard. Len Moss Trophy,photography: D Kidwell. Miss A Taylor Cup, under eights: Eliza Patterson. Jim Clark Cup, under 12: Amelia Thompson. Maureen Wenzel Cup, home produce: Ron Bailey. Anne Robinson Trophy: The Tickles. Doreen Dickinson Trophy, best WI member: Hilary Collins. Dave Barratt Cup, novelty class: Judith Park. John Watson Trophy, gardens: E&H Collins. Rusland Heritage Trophy: Nicola Tickle. Doreen Johnson Millennium Trophy, roses: Sally Fellowes. Tommy Lambert Trophy, sticks: D Wall. David & Jean Johnson Trophy, reserve best in flowers: Jean Woodhouse. Hannah Wilson Memorial Trophy, floral art: Rebecca Knipe. Marian Parker Cup, miniature exhibit: Clare Farmworth. Thelma Kellgren Textile Award: Judith Park. Jean Lomas Challenge Award, child’s birthday cake: Rachel Farnworth. Ken Lomas Trophy,sweet peas: WH Watson. May Lambert Trophy, four novelty cakes: Oscar Buchanan. Blue Ribbon: J Athersmith.
Sports
Mark McGlincy Cup, senior athlete of the day: Dave Allan and Brendan Bolland. Graham Wilkinson Cup, junior athlete of the day: James Bowen. E.L. Martin Cup, local junior fell runner: Oscar Meanwell, Luke Bowen. Rusland Trophy, five-mile fell race: Craig Roberts. R. Harrison Trophy, short fell race, senior: Phil Davies. Lawson Trophy, U17 fell race: Luke Bowen. R.M Jackson Trophy, U14 fell race: Logan Hargreaves. Frank Lomas Trophy, U12 fell race: Liam Bond. Matt McMahon Trophy, 200m handicap: Shaun Frost. John Morgan Trophy, 800m handicap: Dave Allan. Vic Brockbank Trophy, 1,600m handicap: Paul Neild.
Hound Trail
J. Ormandy Trophy, hound trail: Huntsmans Hope. J. Wilkinson Trophy, puppy trail: Pips Spirit. E. Smith Trophy, puppy maiden: Barmaid. Machell Trophy, open restricted: Simply Rascal. Allan Dugdale Memorial Trophy, senior most points: Huntsmans Hope. George Newby Memorial Trophy, puppy, most points: Pips Spirit.