ONCE again, Cheriton Fitzpaine Garden Club held a fantastic Summer Show in the Parish Hall on August 13. The tables groaned with produce, flowers and flower arrangements and the Tea Room and tables in our marquee, bought with a Grant from the Devon Community Foundation, were full of people enjoying tea and cake.

Even though stalwart Nick Hockey and his wife Sue are shortly hoping to move to the Home Counties to be nearer their daughter, Nick still helped, and put up a credible show with flowers and allotment produce.

He won a cup for the best exhibit in the vegetable section and in the floral section.

The Silver Cup for most points gained in the Show was won by Ann Nixon, and the Bond bowl for the runner-up by Andrew Dean, who also won a Silver Cup for the most points in the vegetable section.

The Porter Cup for the best collection of garden produce displayed on a tray or basket was won by Charles Mossman, and his wife, Paula, our Chairman, won, jointly with Ann Nixon, the Rose bowl for most points in the flower section.

Former Show Secretary, Terry Meakin won the “Doristan” award for the best pot plant.

The long tables were full of beautiful, and imaginative, flower arrangements. It was a hard task for the Judge, but Ann Nixon won the Old Beams Vase for the most outstanding exhibit in the flower arranging section.

She also won the prize for the Gardeners’ Challenge Cup.

One of our newer members, Martin Dibley, not only won a Certificate of Merit in Floral Art, but also the People’s Choice for his imaginative depiction of the Fire at Windsor Castle. A Novice Certificate went to Jenny Berg.

During the week before the Show, a Judge from outside of the area is asked to tour the village to choose the best tubs and hanging baskets.

Margaret and Tony Martin, who live at the Old School won the Poole Trophy for tubs and window baskets, and June Woollacott from Cherry Meadow, the prize for hanging baskets.

The Open Class for flower arranging was won by visitor Rita Spence, who normally lives in Spain, with her imaginative depiction of Kontiki - 1947.

Children are a big part of our Garden Club, and their classes are always interesting because it is good to follow their increasing confidence and ability.

Lizzy Gordon won the Carr Shield for the best yield of Potatoes, and Sophie Carr the under-eight prize.

The Rainbows Trophy went to Sophia Frisby and the Brownies’s Cup top Libby Steel.

The best child’s entry in the judge’s opinion went to Holly Metcalf, who also won the Children’s People’s Choice Trophy.

The 12 to 16 Floral Art prize went to Charlotte French who had also entered some beautiful arrangements in the Adult Section. Good to see Adult winners in the Making.

Our next Garden Club meeting will be on Thursday, September 15, when Roy Cheek will be talking about Bog and Water Gardens at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall.