A WONDERFUL range of colourful blooms and fine looking produce vied for awards at a very successful Westmorland Horticultural Society annual show this week.

Growers from as far afield as Blackpool and Westhoughton submitted entries and the tables at Kendal's parish hall were laden with flowers, fruit, vegetables, preserves and other exhibits as a golden sun streamed through the venue's windows.

The society's popular chairman Rod Holmes, who has been serving in the post for more than three decades, explained that inconsistent weather conditions had made growing difficult, but entrants had largely overcome the problems.

"There are some excellent entries and there was a lot of competition, particularly in the potato and tomato categories," he said.

Aside from the usual categories, there were some excellent entries in cakes and preserves sections, as well as home made wine.

And in a sign that the society is moving with the times, more exotic entries included damson vodka and a prize winning blackcurrant vodka which was submitted by Eileen Lowther of Stainton.

Mr Holmes said there had also been particular admiration for the entries in the 'Floral Art' section, with the winning entry, a beautiful and intricate display by Judith Fry of Ambleside, winning particular praise.

The judges made their inspections prior to the show opening its doors to the general public with prizes being presented in the evening.

The Westmorland Horticultural Society meets at 7.30pm on the last Wednesday of every month at Endmoor Village Hall, and new members are always welcome.

In addition to the meetings where there are regular guest speakers and members can exchange tips and ideas, the society also runs regular trips, society holidays and a Christmas social event.

The full list of winners was as follows.

Natland Horticultural Society Cup and the Westmorland & N Lancs Federation Blue Ribbon for best exhibit in the show: Bill Procter, Austwick.

Fruit Bowl for the best dish of apples or pears in the show: Leslie Salkeld, Ackenthwaite.

FC King Memorial Trophy for the best exhibit of fruit in the show: Leslie Salkeld.

Westmorland Gazette Challenge Trophy for winner of class vo1 (a collection of 4 vegetables): Mike Cooper, Darwen.

Gatebeck & Endmoor Cup to winner of class vo3 (3 onions): Mike Cooper.

J & L Nicholson Rose Bowl for the best exhibit of onions or shallots: Ken Ridehalgh, Altham.

Colonel Crewdson's Challenge Cup for best plate of potatoes: Bill Procter.

Mrs E Fawcett Cup for best dish of tomatoes: Bill Procter.

Miss Thompson Cup for best exhibit of peas or beans: James Park, Windermere.

Matson Ground Perpetual Challenge Trophy for best exhibit in vegetable section: Bill Procter.

Scott Perpetual Challenge Cup for most first prizes in vegetable section: Bill Procter.

Leigh Groves Perpetual Challenge Cup for winner of class cfo1 (2 vases of cut flowers): Kevin Preston, Burton-in-Kendal.

PF Horner Perpetual Memorial Trophy for winner of class cfo10 (1 vase of ht roses): Chris Nightingale, Westhoughton.

JT Cross Memorial Cup for winner of class cfo13 (2 vases of sweet peas): Chris Nightingale.

J Robinson Perpetual Challenge Trophy for winner of class cfo16 (1 bowl of mixed flowers): Kevin Preston.

Heaves Trophy for best exhibit of gladioli: Mike Cooper.

Hogarth Perpetual Challenge Cup for best exhibit of fuchsias: Rod Holmes, Kendal.

Denis & Joyce Greenbank Memorial Trophy for best exhibit in pot plant section: Mike & Lisa Cairns, Blackpool.

Hepworth Shield for winner of most first prizes in pot plant section: Rod Holmes.

Mrs E Fawcett Cup for winner of class do10 (1 bowl of pompon dahlias): Anita Gott, Heversham.

Coronation Perpetual Challenge Cup for winner of class co1 (2 vases of large or medium disbudded chrysanthemums): Rod Holmes.

Henry Cooke Trophy for winner of class co4 (3 vases of spray chrysanthemums): Rod Holmes.

JW Wilkinson Perpetual Challenge Trophy for winner of most first prizes, cut flowers, dahlias and chrysanthemums: Rod Holmes.

George and Dorothy Reiss Perpetual Challenge Trophy for most outstanding exhibit in home produce section: Petulia Rigg, Kendal.

Elizabeth Cannan-Jones’ Perpetual Challenge Cup for winner of the most first prizes in home produce section: Margaret Millburn, Sedbergh.

FC King Cup for best exhibit in wine section: Eileen Lowther, Stainton.

Mr & Mrs EJ Southwell Perpetual Challenge Cup for winner of class fa2: Christine Cleasby, Kendal.

Mrs FE Cannan-Jones Shield for winner of class fa4: Elizabeth Wilson, Lupton.

Hilda Marshall Perpetual Challenge Trophy for best exhibit in floral art section: Judith Fry, Ambleside.