Fruit cake scoops big prize at Ashmansworth flower show

The show was opened at 2pm by John Anscomb, the president of Ashmansworth and District Horticultural Society, on Ashmansworth recreation ground.
Mr Anscomb, an Ashmansworth villager, went on to win The Barton Plate, awarded for a single item of culinary excellence, for his fruit cake.
The weather remained fine, with a total 300 entries, up on last year’s total of 260, and from Ashmansworth and surrounding villages including Crux Easton and Faccombe.
Classes ranged from fruit and vegetables, to cookery, flower arranging and handicrafts, held in the show’s main marquee, alongside games, produce stalls, teas and a raffle.
Show joint secretary, Janice Brydon, of Ashmansworth, said she was “Amazed,” she said, at the number of volunteers, adding:
“For a relatively small area, a significant proportion of villagers get involved.”
A Scruffs dog show attracted 16 entries, with fun packed competitions, such as for the dog with the waggiest tail, the dog judge most wanted to take home, or best child handler, with further children’s competitions for the best miniature garden, or animal made out of vegetables.
Judges commented on a very high standard of children’s entries and also visited several villager’s gardens before the show, to judge classes including best container plants and best kept garden, with the Saunders Cup for the latter awarded to Ashmansworth villager, Prue Lane-Fox.
The junior flower show cup for a child aged up to eight was won by Charlie Bays and the Butler Henderson Cup for a child aged nine to 16 went to Tomas Magnusson, both from Ashmansworth.