Swithland
FLOWER AND VEGETABLE SHOW. The 41sth Annual Swithland Flower and Vegetable Show which took place on September 9 was a great success.
It was very well attended; the competition was lively with large numbers of entries in many classes; the weather was fortunately much better than the forecast; and the total amount raised for local charities – principally Loros and Rainbows – exceeded £6,200.
The show was opened by the jovial Ady Dayman of Radio Leicester in the courtyard of the Griffin Inn, where the tombola and plant sales tables attracted many willing customers. The wide varieties of exhibits were staged in St. Leonard’s Primary School and in a marquee on the school playing field.
Exhibitors arriving on Saturday morning were able to stage their exhibits before a heavy rain shower began, which thankfully cleared up by the time the show opened. The traditional end-of-show Grand Auction took place in the Griffin yard, with most bidders armed with umbrellas which were only needed briefly when the auctioneer had to call a break during another short, sharp shower.
The action soon resumed with some determined bidders generously giving three-figure sums for chocolate cakes from the Men’s Chocolate Cake Challenge class and for cheeses donated by local businesses in aid of the charities.
Entries were well up to standard and competitors showed their abilities and expertise in every class in the schedule. Entries for cut flowers, flower arranging, baking, home produce and the Arts & Crafts sections were well represented.
The children’s section was delightful and included some particularly imaginative efforts.
Over the 40 previous years Swithland Show has raised and distributed over £100,000 to local charities.
Thanks to the continuing popularity of the show and the efforts of the hardworking committee, the 2017 show has achieved another great financial result as well as a memorable and happy day for everyone.
The committee would like to thank everyone who supported this year’s Show in so many ways, including donations of goods for the auction or tombola, adverts in the schedule, sponsorship of classes and prizes, buying of prize draw tickets, visiting the plant stall, bidding so generously in the auction and putting such effort into their entries which, of course, makes the Show.
Special thanks must go to John Cooledge and family at the Griffin Inn, to the head-teacher and staff at Swithland School; and to Jeff Harrison and Nick Holloway, our fantastic auctioneers. Trophy winners. The W. D. Feasey Trophy – Michael Garner The Show Chairman’s Prize – Sally Garner The Wishart Spoon –Sally Garner The Baker’s Prize – Wyn Lindley The Garmed Trophy – Michael Garner The Chris Holloway Salver – Duncan Keates The Arts & Crafts Prize – Francesca Hessey The Wishart Shield (Children’s Section) – Jemima Young The Toone Trophy (Photography) – William Holloway The Hilda Price Memorial Salver (Best Flower Arrangement in Show) – Clare Holloway The May Sunflower Trophy – Margaret Hardwicke
The Children’s Prize for Tallest Sunflower – Charlie Hardwicke The Tony Symonds Bowl – David Lindley The Nev Price Trophy – Michael Garner The Griffin Inn Cup (parent & child with highest points total)
– Gemma & Alexandra Garner The Garmed Salver – Phil Dews The Woodbrook Cup (Heaviest Pumpkin) – Rob McDonagh The Clarabow Cup – Frankie Holloway The Bumble Shield – Alyse Keates & Charlie Hardwicke
The Willloughby Garton Challenge Tankard (Pickled Onions) – Margaret Hardwicke.
Prize Draw Winning Ticket numbers:
6015, 5884, 1617, 1038, 1732, 563, 5885, 1053, 3320, 8365, 5517, 918, 3089, 1581, 2303, 4645
Next year’s show will be held on Saturday, September 8 – see you there!