Steyning Horticultural Society autumn show 2018, celebrating 90th birthday

Steyning Horticultural Society celebrated its 90th birthday with a fabulous autumn flower show.
John Cole with his winning vase of dahliasJohn Cole with his winning vase of dahlias
John Cole with his winning vase of dahlias

Chairman Charles Ashby said considering the extreme weather conditions of the past few months, members pulled out all the stops to make sure this special show at the Steyning Centre on Saturday was a success.

John Cole won the National Dahlia Society silver and bronze medals for the best vase and best bloom in the dahlia section.

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Val Stringer won the cup for best perennial and annual flower exhibits, plus the cup for highest points in the photographic classes

John Cole with his winning vase of dahliasJohn Cole with his winning vase of dahlias
John Cole with his winning vase of dahlias

Colin Lindfield won the cup for best vegetable collection and most points in the vegetable section.

There were 53 cookery exhibits, with Rosie Harrison winning the cup for most points and Liz Carter having the second highest points.

First time exhibitor Sally McNiff won the shield for most points in the fruit classes and Janet Bowers won the famous Charlie Hole Cup for best apples.

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Charles explained: “Charlie Hole was Elsie and Doris Waters’ head gardener back in the 1950s and was famous for his prize apples.”

Mike Warren won the cup for highest points in aster classes and the cup for second highest points in dahlias.

Michelle Leigh-Pollitt, Val Hodges and Pat Town were joint winners of the trophy for highest points in flower arrangements.

Charles was also a big winner, taking home the Banksian Medal for most prize money in horticultural classes, the cup for highest points in dahlia classes and the second highest points in the vegetable classes.

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Young Imogen Boyle collected the cup for most points in the under-eights children’s classes, with her face painted as a fairy.

Other cup winners were Julie MacCulloch, highest points in chrysanthemum classes and highest points in rose classes; Carol Killick, highest points in the craft section; and Rory Horne highest points in children’s classes, age nine to 15.

Charles thanked all the women who helped make the wonderful selection of cakes to sell at the tea and cake café during the afternoon and all the exhibitors and helpers who made this 90th birthday show such a memorable success.