Best in town’s horticultural show

Rongotea showed off its best cakes, crafts and flowers in the town’s horticultural autumn show.

Judges circled as the public downed the sweet treats on offer at the Rongotea and District Horticultural and Produce Society’s show.

The society dates back to 1909 and veteran shower Elsa Stern said she had submitted creations for the judges’ keen eyes for more than 60 years.

She said she started off in the craft section, graduated to cut flowers and now produced daffodils for the spring show.

Stern said there were mainly older people in the society, as younger ones were not able to spend time making things, gardening or baking.

‘‘And I think everyone is too busy to support the society these days. Young women have to work and farmers don’t have the time to spend they used to have.’’

Dennis Rodgers said he had judged many dahlias during the past month, including at North and South Island shows. He said each class was judged to the standard on size, freshness and petals.

Rodgers said there were many different types of dahlia. They included cactus, pompom miniature ball, collettes, frimbulated (raggy petals) and water lily, to name a few.

‘‘A pleasing feature was the number of novices showing flowers for the first time. It is very good that we have some new blood coming through.’’

He said it had been a hard season for flower growers with the cold, wet weather taking a toll.

‘‘Dahlias went in the ground later than usual and didn’t grow away. But on the positive side, the colour was good and the sun hasn’t been bleaching them.’’

There were hydrangeas, dahlias, roses, ferns, geraniums and gladioli gracing vases.

In the craft area, cakes, biscuits and squares screamed out for someone to devour them.

There were knitted booties and a hat, quilts, vegetables in baskets and the best vegetables were on display.