The West Alvington Horticultural Society held its 71st Annual Show at the nearby local village hall in Malborough with a total of 551 entries.

Show secretary and treasurer Keith Steer said: “It really was a bumper year for us with entries increasing by 71, mainly in the flower, cookery and junior sections, with superb quality across the board and a huge attendance in the afternoon.

“The event raised £1,430 in just over two hours, an increase of £230 from 2016 and all the committee were simply delighted.”

Throughout the competition the battle was fierce. The champion of the day was Keith Steer winning The Cordelia Came Centennial Memorial Cup for the most points in the show, the Preserves cup, the Cookery Cup and the Beryl Brooking Memorial Cup for a fruit cake as well as the Blue Ribbon for best Domestic exhibit with his lemon curd.

In the vegetable sections Mark Boon took the Kinsman Cup and cup for most points in the onion classes and Tony Church was the major contender in the open section and won the best collection of vegetables and Mike Hine won best with some superb onions.

Mary Wright won the Brooking cup for miniature collection of vegetables and the blue ribbon with a superb exhibit of apples. Roy Tucker took four trophies in the Cottagers section including one for potatoes and dahlias.

The other major exhibitors of the day and individuals requiring the silver polish were Terry Reeves who dominated the Open flower sections winning five trophies, Gould who secured the cup for the best flower exhibit and blue ribbon with his begonia and in the novices section three winners shared their success; Jackie Walster, Jan Finbow and Harriet Brownlie.

Mike Bowles from Slapton carried away the trophy for best mixed dahlias. Sarah Oatley was delighted with her results in the handicraft section securing the trophy for the third year in five and will be presented with a replica in 2018.

Jeanne Hudson won the Painting cup and Ed Hill won the hobby cup with an exquisite wren made from metal knives and forks. Lindsay Johns impressed the judge with her Floral Art entries winning the Dawson Cup with her colourful floral interpretations celebrating “Our Village”.

Joe Brownlie also snapped his way to victory in the photography section and Jenny Seal once again triumphed in the bread classes. The children’s entries were once again very artistic and drew great praise with their creativity.

The entries, usually one or two per class attracted seven or eight this year; the awards were won by Evie Rolfe, Millie Prowse and Isla Mcoll.

The committee expressed their sincere thanks to all the judges who gave of their time willingly. They were David Coward, Dave Bradford, Joe Wallis and Brian Griffiths - vegetables, Harry Colclough - flowers, Cynthia Morgan - floral art, Vicky Browne and Harriet Brownlie - juniors, Pat Janes - preserves, Diane Rodwell - cookery, Jeremy Willcocks - photography and Adrienne Blake - handicrafts.

At the end of the day the trophies were awarded by the 2017 President Mr Terry Reeves who also made a presentation to his cousin, Keith Steer, as a Long Service Special Recognition Award as Keith has served as Show Secretary for the past 40 years.

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Results

The Cordelia Came Centennial Memorial Cup: Winner: Keith Steer, Runner up: Terry Reeves

The George Edwards Memorial Cup: Winner: Roy Tucker

The Will Norsworthy Memorial Cup: Winner: Bob Gould

The Kinsman Cup: Mark Boon, Runner up: Mary Wright

The AB Perpetual Cup: Winner: Roy Tucker, Runner up: Sylvia Norsworthy

The Cottagers Dahlia Cup: Winner: Roy Tucker, Runner Up: Jeanne Hudson

The Frank Gloyn Memorial Cup: Winner: Tony Church, Runner up: Philip Gilbury

The Fred Baker Cup: Winner: Mark Boon

The Open Flower Cup: Winner: Terry Reeves, Runner up: Bob Gould

The Colonel Cowley Cup: Winner: Terry Reeves, Runner up: Mike Bowles

The Den Cole Memorial Cup: Winner: Terry Reeves

The Mary Dickson Memorial Cup: Winner: Terry Reeves

The YOR Cup: Winner: Terry Reeves

The Robert Gloyn Cup: Winners: Jan Finbow, Jackie Walster and Harriet Brownlie

The Dawson Cup: Winner: Lindsay Johns, Runner up: Jackie Case

The Preserves Cup: Winner: Keith Steer, Runner up: Mary Wright

Cookery Cup: Keith Steer, Runner up: Diane Rogers

Mrs Came’s Special: Winner: Jenny Seal

The Beryl Brooking Memorial Cup: Winner: Keith Steer

Handicrafts Cup: Winner: Sarah Oatley, Runner up: Harriet Brownlie

Photography Trophy: Winner: Joe Brownlie, Runner up: Keith Steer

Pansies Cup: Winner: Tony Church

Hobby Cup: Winner Ed Hilll

Onion Cup: Mike Hine

Mixed Dahlia Cup: Mike Bowles

Miniature collection of Veg Cup: Mary Wright

Junior Cup 1: Evie Rolfe

Junior Cup 2: Millie Prowse

Junior Cup 3: Isla McColl

Best Junior Cup: Mille Prowse

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Blue Ribbons: Vegetables: Mary Wright (apples), Flowers: Bob Gould, (Begonia) and Domestic: Keith Steer (Lemon curd)

Replica Cups: Millie Prowse, Rita Fairchild, Diane Rogers & Tony Church

Certificates of merit: Mrs D Rogers, Jan Finbow, Mrs M Wright, M Hine, Millie Prowse (2), Jake Rolfe, Isla McColl, Mrs J Steer, R Tucker (2), Mrs L Johns, R Gould, J Brownlie, E Hill, KA Steer, Evie Rolfe & Mrs M Wright,

First Prize winners: KA Steer (19), R Tucker & Mrs M Wright (12), M Boon (11), TJ Reeves (10), J Brownlie, AR Church & Millie Prowse (6), P Gilbury & Mrs L Johns (5) Dr H Brownlie, Mrs J Case, R Gould & J Hudson (4), MJ Bowles, M Hine, S Oatley, Mrs J Seal & Mrs D Rogers (3), Mrs S Hine, Evie Rolfe, Mrs J Steer & J Walster (2), Mrs H Dainty, Mrs S Duncanson, H Frazier-Roberts, Mrs J Fice, Mrs J Finbow, R Finbow, E Hill, I McColl, Mrs S Norsworthy, A Rossiter, Mrs J Walster, B Smith, J Rolfe & A Newlove (1) other prize winners: Mrs N Davies, L Davies, R Fairchild, Mrs J Lapthorn, Mrs J McColl, M Norsworthy, Mrs V Oatley, Maisie Prowse, P Roberts, C Rossiter, Mrs A Smith, J Taylor, R Rossiter, A Moore, C Moore, Johnny Walster