Young and older come together for a great summer gardening show

It takes more than spring’s difficult weather to defeat Elham gardeners, judging by the magnificent displays at the village’s flower and vegetable show on Saturday. Now in its 129th year, the Elham Gardening Society Annual Show is still going strong. This year 76 adult and 16 children entrants supported all 107 classes. The whole village was represented, with the youngest entrant just three years’ old, and the eldest 90. Gardening society chairman Hugh Buckhurst said: ”Every year brings a different challenge but despite a dry hot spring the vegetables were really excellent with superb entries. “The children showed great imagination in their displays, and as always the flowers were greatly admired.” The potato in a bucket was the most popular class with 24 adult and 14 children entries, and the winner was actress and Elham resident Pam Ferris who achieved a whopping crop of 11lb 7oz. Maggie Newington walked away with the Chris Grenshaw Bowl, a new prize for the most points in show. She also won the Harrowing Bowl for the most pleasing garden, while Chris Grenshaw took the Harrowing Cup for the best home garden/allotment. Barbara Athow’s From My Own Garden was judged the best exhibit in the floral art and best exhibit in the show, while Barbara’s husband Dick produced the best exhibit in photography. Following on from his success last year, Beaumont Lester again won the most points in the children’s section. In the domestic section, the hotly contested gentlemen only class was won by Alan Turner with his gingerbread cake. Katherine Barber took the cup for the best art exhibit.

Winners in the children’s classes with their rosettes. Right, some of their entries

Adult winners, and below, colourful vegetables