Meavy Garden Society – Report on their Summer Show

The Society’s annual Summer Flower Show was once again a resounding success, thanks to the many members and friends who assisted. Soon after ten am on Saturday, Meavy Parish Hall was awash with colour as members staged their exhibits. The general public were welcomed at 1pm by Michael Ashton to examine the exhibits and make their individual choice of the best in each class.

During the afternoon Sylvia Gokhale and her helpers were busy serving teas and cakes, Janet Moore and Marion Hall ran the raffle, while outside Joice Reith and David Carter sold local plants.  The smooth running was the work of Show Secretary, David Winter, and Society Chairman Annie Inman.

At 167 the number of exhibits was well up, all classes having at least three entries, while the preponderance of shrubberies in local gardens resulted in 21 entries for Class 8 Flowering plant stems, while class 2 for stems of Shrub or Tree had 14.

Two special classes were new this year.  Class 17 for “an arrangement of garden flowers incorporating a beer bottle”, sponsored for a special prize by the Royal Oak Inn, was won by Lis Mawhinney.    Class 18 “A miniature garden in a container” for children of 15 years or less, had three highly imaginative entries.  The prize went to Elsa Sweeting for her delightful use of coloured sweets.

To encourage members to enter many exhibits, a system of allocating points to the first three exhibitors in each class is used for The Gordon Cross Trophy, in memory of a past President. This year the overall show winner was Sonja Cheadle with no less than 4 firsts, while Brenda Burt and Kay Moore were close behind.

With over 100 visitors the cash takings were close to record levels in all areas and we were most pleased to find new members among the exhibitors and the winners.  After the raffle draw, the trophies were graciously presented by Rev. John Weir, the Guest of Honour for the afternoon. Overall a very happy day enjoyed by everyone!