Field ‘buzzing’ for annual gala

Mundham and District Gala and Flower Show welcomed a large number of visitors on Saturday.

The gala saw a bumper number of entries for the Grand Show, with more than 350 plants, cooking samples, and photographs contributed.

Celia O’shea, show secretary, said: “We had a beautiful day for the 124th Mundham Gala. The flower arrangements were beautiful, and I’m always overawed by the fantastic plants and vegetable our entrants grow.

“Our local artists produced some stunning work and the cookery was of the high standard we have come to expect, and some very interesting photos were entered. It’s always fascinating to tour the marquee after the judging has taken place and see which of your friends and neighbours have won prizes. The men only cookery classes are always popular – those cheese straws looked particularly inviting!

“Out on the field, the dog show attracted a good number of very handsome entrants. Jenny Moxam with Wilson

The tombola was especially busy, as was the raffle and the hook-a-bottle. The field was buzzing with happy people and children with gloriously painted faces, clutching sweets they had won at the various children’s games. Inside the village hall visitors tried their hand at short mat bowls and table tennis or browsed a huge number of books for sale, whilst outside George’s Coastline Band and TS Sturdy’s marching band kept Abby Dexter, 12, photo winner

us entertained all afternoon.

“During the afternoon the marquee thronged with visitors and crowds of people clustered around the bric-abrac – again an unusually large number of items were donated and sold. In our Community Corner, you could question the parish councillors about the neighbourhood plan, find out about the village French exchange or talk to folk from the Royal British Legion and the Manhood Wildlife Trust.”