ORGANISERS of Saturday's Crosthwaite Show in Argles Memorial Hall focused on attracting more entries from children.

Their efforts paid dividends with the youngest entrant being 18-months old while the oldest was Angela Jones who celebrated her 95th birthday on show day. She still found time to enter several of the domestic classes with her baking.

There were also displays of artwork created by the children of Crosthwaite Primary School and the village playgroup.

The show attracted 106 exhibitors in 90 categories - 52 of whom were children who had entered nine newly-created classes. These included carefully constructed miniature gardens, intricate Lego models, animal photography and animals made from fruit and vegetables.

Seven-year-old Charlie Taylor won the competition to design the cover for next year’s show. A popular new category was ‘Artwork Created at School.’

The children’s award, which was a toy or a book, went to the child in each age group who, in the opinion of the judges, had made the best overall contribution. These were: Under five, Eilidh Jessop; Aged five to seven, Lottie Date; Aged eight to 12, Lily Cross.

Adult categories were wide ranging covering pot plants, flowers, floral art and fruit and vegetables. These provided a rich backdrop of seasonal colour from regular exhibitors and many welcome first time entrants.

There were high quality entries across the board in the painting and photography classes, which this year focused on portraits, flowers and seascapes. They attracted a good number of exhibitors, some of whom were also first time entrants.

Handicrafts on display included up cycled items, handmade cushions, knitted hats and greeting cards.

Domestic classes were as popular as ever, showing an array of baked goods, preserves, chutneys, and flavoured liqueurs.

The show is very well supported by local businesses and village groups, who donated over a dozen high value raffle prizes including a £100 voucher towards a commissioned child or pet portrait, donated by a local artist, meal vouchers from local pubs and restaurants, book tokens, wine and cash.

Show committee chairman and organiser Pat Howarth thanked the committee, helpers, exhibitors and visitors.

Cups and prizes were presented by Matthew Dobson, a stalwart of the show for very many years.

Cups and prizes were awarded as follows: Kathleen Lawson Cup for best exhibit in the cut flowers and pot plant classes, Vonnie Sharp; The Jack and Mary Myers Rose Bowl for best rose exhibit, Peter Hensman; Westmorland Damson Association Award for best exhibit in the fruit and vegetable classes, Christine Charlton; Pat Wilson Cup for best exhibit in floral art, Jenny Massie; Agricultural Committee Cup for best exhibit in domestic classes, Pat Howarth; Crosthwaite Photography Cup, Ewan Sale; The Rodney Sale Award for best exhibit in art classes, Peter Windsor; The WI Competition Cup for best exhibit in handicraft classes, Ann Smith; Eric Bowman Perpetual Cup for best all rounder, Jean Hudson.