On the Friday evening before the show, I wondered if we were going to have a Flower Show at all. Who would come out to make their entries in this terrible weather? It was Keep Calm and WHAT a carry on, registering exhibitors’ entries in a marquee that was rocking with the strong winds, rain water running down the supports, floods in the car park and trying to make one’s voice heard above the wind and rain, but carry on we did.

What a difference a day makes. Saturday dawned dry and bright for the start of the Writhlington Flower Show and Fete. The show was celebrating its 130th Anniversary and to open the Flower Show and Fete, the Chairman, Rob Langley, welcomed the Mayor of Radstock, Councillor Rupert Bevan, who started proceedings.

We had many visitors throughout the afternoon, enjoying the music of the Norton Radstock Silver Band, visiting the many stalls or sat on bales of hay watching the ever-popular Funky Puppet Show. Some visitors opted to try their hand at Archery, thanks to the South Wansdyke Archery Club lending their guidance and expertise to many.

The Flower Show Committee and the Writhlington Allotment supports the promotion and protection of Bees and Bee Keeping, so once again it was lovely to have the Mendip Bee Keepers’ Association with us.

The village hall was extremely busy with many visiting the History Display and the Photographic Display. We thank our own local Historian, Dennis Chedgy, for stewarding this, answering questions and sharing his knowledge. During the afternoon, I spied some past Flower Show Committee Members, Secretaries, a Chairman or two visiting us and having a cup of tea, catching up and reminiscing of times past, which was lovely.

The Marquee was packed for the presentation, many seated on hay bales. Chairman, Rob Langley, welcomed everyone and once again thanked all the exhibitors for supporting and making it a wonderful and successful 130th Show. He said entry numbers were up on last year, despite the weather and a difficult growing season. The judges found lots of deliberations necessary and that the standards were exceptionally high. We had families visiting us and some attending the presentation from Dorset and Devon!

The Chairman welcomed and introduced our new Flower Show President, Hilary Denning, who kindly presented the trophies and medals to the following. Fruit and Vegetable Section – The Booth Cup for Fruit and Vegetables and a Whitstones Voucher: Ian Chant.

Dick Price Cup for Best Exhibit and Marshalls Trowel and Fork Set: Ian Chant. The Garden News Shield for Best Top Tray and Marshalls Gift: Ian Chant. The Frank Millard Memorial Trophy for Best Runner Beans and Marshalls Gift: Ian Chant. The Alan Gill Memorial Cup for Flowers and Rebecca’s Flower Shop Voucher: Ian Chant. The Muriel Gill Cup Best Vase of Dahlias and Norton Green

Orchid Plant: Ian Chant. Best Exhibit and Marshalls Gift: Ian Chant.

Floral Art Section – John Wilmott Challenge Cup presented to Amy Langley by Robert Wilmott. Best Exhibit: Amy Langley. The Children’s Section – The Hedworth House Children’s Cup for most points and Entertainer Voucher: Connor Lake. The Frank Millard Cup: Cordelia Langley. The Jack Fussell Cup for Best Miniature Garden: Cicely Langley.

The Paddy Creton Art Cup and Art Set: Autumn Bentley-Smith. The Dennis Rendell Memorial Trophy for Best Exhibit – this was presented by his family and grandchildren: Spencer Massey. The Richard Moon Memorial Trophy for Best Handwriting: the first recipient of this new trophy was Suzanne Bentley-Smith. It was presented to her by Connor Lake and Sophia Payne, the grandchildren of Richard Moon. Paddy Creton Art Sets, age 5–6: Alicia from St Mary’s School. Age 7–8 years: Autumn Bentley-Smith. Age 9–10 years: Suzanne Bentley-Smith. 11–16 years: Wesley Carver. The Entertainer Trophies – 7–8 Years: Spencer Massey.

9–10 years: Millie Heal. 11–16 Years: Abbie Lake. Under-5s Painting: Milo – St Mary’s Nursery. Under-5s Crayon Picture: Delilah Bell – St Mary’s Nursery. Under 5s Tree Shape Collage – Lexi Davis, St Mary’s Nursery.

Domestic Section – The Audrey Lane Cookery Cup and Thomson’s Gift presented to Jane Dowel by Janet Lawson, the daughter of Audrey Lane and the late Gerald Lane. The Marian Davies Memorial Award for Best Exhibit and Marshalls Gift was presented by Alan Davies to Jane Dowel. Needlecraft Section – The Ladies’ Needlecraft Cup and a Midsomer Quilting Kids Quilt Book: Susan Lewis. The Gloria Jenkins Plate for Best Exhibit and Midsomer Norton Quilting Squares: Joan Lee. The David Fisher Memorial Trophy and Whitstones Voucher presented by Brenda Fisher to Lauren Carver.

Best Exhibit in Handicraft: Connections Day Centre. The Glass Trophy for Photography: Daniel Massey. The Bob Turner Trophy for Children’s Photography and Rose Craft Tool Box: Harry Tutchell. The Hanover Court Salver: Jane Dowel. The Carpenter Championship Trophy for Horticulture and Writhlington Leisure 30 Day Gym Membership: Ian Chant. The Gerald Lane Championship Cup for Cookery and Needlecraft plus a G Mitchard & Sons voucher presented by Janet Lawson to Jane Dowel.

The Centenary for Best Exhibit in Show and Sure Fit-it MOT voucher for her beautifully decorated cake to celebrate Writhlington’s Flower Show’s 130th, complete with bunting, marquee, a village hall, veg and flowers, was presented to Jane Dowel. Since the Flower Show the cake was auctioned and the £50 raised was divided between Max’s fund and the Air Ambulance.

The eagerly awaited Grand Draw took place following the presentation. Brenda Fisher kindly did the honours and the David Fisher print that Mrs Fisher so kindly donated to the Flower Show was won by Mike and Anne James. Congratulations to them.

The Chairman and the Committee thank all the exhibitors, stallholders, families, friends and everyone who contributed to making this special 130th anniversary show a great day. Thanks to all who donated to and stayed for the auction to help bolster Flower Show funds.

To continue our fundraising for next year’s show, the Flower Show Committee has arranged a Fun Quiz Night for November 2nd and our next event is our AGM to be held on Monday, 14th October at Writhlington Village Hall at 7 p.m. to which you would be most welcome.

Many thanks to Becky and staff at The Journal for their help and continued support of Writhlington Flower Show. We would like to thank John Newport for his photography and recording of this 130th Show throughout the day, so we have a record for future generations.

If you would like to view more photographs, please visit the Writhlington Flower Show Facebook Page.

Helen Gulliford, Secretary