Yapton puts on show of colour

Dahlias took pride of place on the show bench but sprays of fuchsia also drew attention.

There were vases of other cut flowers with a range of pot plants, quite an assortment of vegetables, with some grown for weight, and fruit especially apples.

Once again, the flower arrangements brought favourable comment from the judge.

There were 12 entries this time.

Male competitors dominated the cookery winners in a well supported section, where the judge enjoyed herself tasting apple pies, coconut cakes and pasties.

The photography judge took an unusually long time to assess the images before him, and gave a further interval to explain his decisions to officiating staff.

The number of children's exhibits gave an indication of renewed interest by the younger element, and finally there were ten entries by adults in the handicraft classes for handwriting, drawing and greetings cards.

In total, 261 entries were submitted by 43 exhibitors, six of whom were staging for the first time in Yapton, and five of which gained at least one prize.

The 100 or so visitors arrived in a steady stream during the afternoon.

After the competitive display had been viewed, side stalls tempted the onlookers with sales of bedding plants and cut flowers, handmade cards, cakes, tombola, raffle and the day's television 'bonus ball' broadcast.

The kitchen offered light refreshments with a choice of homemade cakes.

The autumn show marked the completion of the year's competitive events in Yapton. Cottage gardeners' chairman, Roy Phillips presented the awards.

The Village Criers Trophy for most points in the horticultural classes throughout the year '“ that is in four shows '“ went to Alan Humphrey. As most successful exhibitor on the day, he took the Edith Godfrey Trophy, but for the best vegetable exhibit on display, it was Malcolm Paradine who received the Deegan Shield.

The best vase of dahlias was shown by Christine Fry for the National Dahlia Society Silver Medal certificate, with the bronze being won by the above mentioned Alan Humphrey.

The society chairman retained the Joan Waddington Memorial Vase for fuchsias, but Roy Phillips will also have his name added to the Neil Baxter Memorial Trophy for cookery and handicrafts.

Joan Jackson retained the WR Trophy for season long success in flower arranging, and Allison Marsh was the recipient of the Photographic Autumn Championship.

Eight-year-old Ashleigh Heasman collected the Junior Autumn Cup as the most successful exhibitor for the day and the Junior Village Criers Cup for the most points for the year.

Next year's competitions begin with the spring show on March 22, but more immediately, an evening meeting will introduce the changing fortunes of the coastline at East Head, given by the warden Andrew Lawrence on November 17.

Then on November 9, there will be another visit of the Yetties folk trio for mirth and music.

The Cottage Gardeners' website will have details of show results and forthcoming events at yaptongardeners.co.uk.