THE West Alvington Horticultural Society held its 16th Spring Show last Saturday, in the village hall.

With beautiful arrays of colourful daffodils, hyacinths, camellias, floral art and handicrafts, photography and creative junior exhibits, the show was just as impressive as ever.

Secretary and treasurer Keith Steer explained that entries had fallen as expected with the mild winter and daffodils flowering early.

‘Our flower judges, Harry and Merle Colclough, stated that although entries were down the quality was superb, the best they had seen,’ said Keith, ‘particularly a mixed bowl of spring flowers and a bowl of nine blooms, exhibited by June Steer and winning her the blue ribbon for best exhibit in the show for the 15th year.’

June also won the cup for most points in the daffodil classes and her son, Keith, took the cup for most points in the photography section ‘snapping’ his way to a replica cup next year.

Her niece, Diane Tucker, dominated the handicrafts section and won a special award for her homemade crown to celebrate The Queen’s 90th birthday. Her great-granddaughter, Evie Rolfe, shared one of the junior cups with fellow competitor Millie Prowse.

The champion for the day was Tony Church from Thurlestone, winning the most points in the show and the most points in the section for other spring flowers. Shirley Chapman won the Bowringleigh Trophy for shrubs and camellias, in a section which had received an increase in entries and which the judges had explained were quite exceptional.

Judge Jackie Case, had more colourful exhibits to view in the floral art section and president Cynthia Morgan will require the silver polish.

The final section of the show was the juniors, judged by Pat Brooks, which was very impressive with animals or creatures made from fruit, gardens on plates or trays and a 90th birthday card for The Queen.

Ruari McColl was also another junior winner. The other judges for the day were Janet Wingate and Jeremy Willcocks. The event was a good social occasion also, raising nearly £800 for the society in two hours.

Results:

WEST ALVINGTON PARISH CUP: Tony Church, Runner Up: Pete Roberts,

DAFFODIL CUP: June Steer, Runner Up: Tony Church & Peter Roberts,

SPRING FLOWERS CUP OTHER THAN DAFFOLDILS: Tony Church, Runner Up: Peter Roberts, BOWRINGSLEIGH CUP: Winner: Shirley Chapman, Runner Up: Tony Church

HANDICRAFTS CUP: Diane Tucker, Runner Up: Keith Steer,

PHOTOGRAPHY CUP: Keith Steer, Runner Up: Millie Prowse,

FLORAL ART CUP: Cynthia Morgan,

JUNIOR CUP 1: Evie Rolfe & Millie Prowse,

JUNIOR CUP 2: Ruari McColl,

BLUE RIBBON FOR BEST EXHIBIT IN SHOW: June Steer.

REPLICA CUPS: Shirley Chapman (Bowringsleigh Trophy)

CERTIFICATES OF MERIT: June Steer (3), Cynthia Morgan (2), Millie Prowse, Ruari McColl, Keith Steer, Diane Tucker and Peter Roberts.

FIRST PRIZE WINNERS: AR Church (8), Mrs D Tucker (4), Mrs J Steer, KA Steer (5) Mrs C Morgan, P Roberts (4), Mrs S Chapman (3), Millie Prowse (2), Mrs H Dainty, Isla McColl, Ruari McColl. Maisie Prowse, Alex Morgan (1), Other Prize Winners: Mrs P Baker, Mrs AP Brooks, Mrs S Duncanson, Mrs A Jones, Mrs V Oatley, Evie Rolfe, Mrs A Smith, Fleur & Ranulph Everitt.