Bexhill and District Gardens And Allotments Society show

Despite a tongue-in-cheek reference to denying the introduction of a rice-growing class next year, Bexhill manager Chris Bryen was a happy man on Wednesday.

Overall, entries for Bexhill and District Gardens And Allotments Society's annual show at Bexhill Leisure Centre were about the same as last year, with flower entries slightly up and vegetable entries slightly down. The number of exhibitors was down by just four.

"This year, the weather has been quite the reverse, cold and wet for most of what we used to call summer."

The number of entries and their high standard, he said, showed what a skilled and rescourceful group the society's members were.

"The Bexhill gardeners and allotment holders have shown that by their long hard dedicated work throughout the year they can put on a show of which they can be justifyably proud.

"Considering the difficulties, the number of entries is remarkably high and to such a consistently high standard.

"Once again a lot of hard work has gone into organising this year's show by the officers and committee over the last year, particularly by completely revising the show schedule which it is hoped will benefit not only exhibitors but visitors to the show.

"It has been a long, hard, day for the stewards, officers, committee members and other helpers but the support the society has had from its members and the general public in supporting the raffles, tombola, produce stalls and games has made everything worth while.

"The show has been a time to meet with old friends and make some new ones and generally have fun looking at the vegetables, fruit, flowers, flower arrangements, pot plants, baking, cakes, jams etc, handicrafts and photographs."

He said the society's thanks as always went to the many people who had supported the show, particularly Rambler Coaches and Warburtons, plus East Sussex Fuschia and Pelargonium Society and Eastbourne and Wealden Bonsai Club for exhibiting.

"The society always attracts a large number of entries in the children's classes which hopefully will lead to their continued participation in the show in the years to come.

"With an annual dinner, discounts at local shops, holidays and regular day trips, it is hardly surprising that the society has around 500 members."

He added: "At 1 a person that must be good value."

Judges were: Vegetables, Frances Brown and Basil Collins; flowers, Ken Waller and Doug March; domestic, Carolyn Sanders, Deirdre Downey and Joan moss; flower arrangement, Cybil Shanahan; photography, John Larkin; handicrafts, Thelma Nance.