Cold Ash Gardening Club Summer Show was a ‘pleasure to behold’ despite ‘unusual growing season’

Purples, reds and oranges brightened the Acland Hall in Cold Ash on what was the hottest day of the year so far.

The Cold Ash Gardening Club Summer Show was held on Saturday, September 9 and drew a variety of flowers, fruits and vegetables.

The committee had concerns that after a very hot June and cooler, wetter July and August fewer exhibits would be entered.

But their worries proved to be unwarranted as they reported an “excellent display” of entries.

Dahlias were the stars of the show this year and Eddy Smith won first prize for his deep purple pom-pom dahlias, while Ken Elms gained a first for his large cactus-type apricot and red dahlias.

The judge commented that the fruit and vegetable exhibits were of a high quality and as good as any he had seen this year.

Runner beans, French beans, beetroot, carrots and potatoes were just some of the items entered, as well as tomatoes, apples and onions.

Graham Collins won the most points in vegetable collections, most points in the dahlia classes and most points in the horticultural classes, including collections.

Amy Collins won most points in the photography section and homecraft section, Anna Cload won the best horticultural photograph and Jane Geater won most points in the flower section.

It was a great year for Lawrence Grew who won four cups for most points in the vegetable classes 1-25, most points in the vegetable classes V1-24 and flowers, most points in the combined spring and summer shows, excluding vegetable collections, and most points in the show.

Cold Ash Pre-School also got involved in constructing scary monsters with fruit and vegetables for the show’s junior competition.

Gardening Club chairwoman Rhona Tucker said she was delighted with the show and thanked everyone for their hard work in making the day such a success.

She said: “Overall this show provided an excellent example of what villagers produce in their gardens.”