Bumper show as Rustington is blessed with fine weather

The host of golden daffodils and other narcissi on display at the Woodland Centre on Saturday (March 24) were of superb quality, undamaged by rain, wind or frost, and the bright colours were matched by the heady scent of the spring flowers, said show secretary Alison Valentini.

A new class of floating hellebore blooms (Lenten roses) proved popular, demonstrating how easy it is to show off a simple bloom at its best.

“It is always encouraging to see new people joining in, even more so when they achieve success and that is exactly what happened with all our new exhibitors,” added Alison. “Entries in the young people’s classes showed that you don’t have to be a seasoned gardener to grow high-quality flowers, or David Bailey to shoot a good photograph.”

“Tables groaned under the weight in the vegetable classes and mouths watered at the delights in the cookery section.”

Ever-popular photography and handicraft classes were well-supported and visitors to the show were able to enjoy tea and cakes, while looking at the handiwork of the competitors in the floral art classes.

Trophy winners: Eric Norrell, President’s Challenge Cup for best horticultural exhibit, and Menage Cup for best vegetable; Christine Fry, Gilbert Parry Challenge Cup for best vase of narcissi, Glass Goblet for best exhibit in class 1, and Spring Challenge Trophy for most points in flower classes; Mick Marshall, Daffodil Society Bronze Medal for best single bloom in classes 3 and 4; Fred Spanton, the Jack Hesling Trophy for best exhibit in novices’ daffodil class; David Stubbings, Silver Spoon for best miniature daffodil;

Wendy Gallienne, Dorothy Heasman Trophy for most floral art points, Glass Goblet for best floral art, Chef Challenge Cup for most cookery points; Ron Shanks, Cacti and Succulent Cup for most points in those classes); Mavis Potten, Bobby Knee Cup for most handicraft points; Claudio Valentini, Glass Goblet for best photography/art;

Florence Funnell, 13, and her sister Felicity, nine, joint winners of Youth Challenge Cup for most points in young people’s classes; Florence Funnell, Knight Cup for best young person’s exhibit.

Other first prize-winners: David Allardyce, Pamela Betterton, Babs Blake, Bill Blake, David Donovan, G. Gough, Sylvia Hesling, Barbara Hopkins, Joyce Marshall, Rohan Mills, seven, Dave Napper, Valerie Narayanaswamy, Joy Newman-Rice, Malcolm Paradine, Carmel Pardi, Jean Shanks, Alison Sopp, Carol Spanton, Joyce Stonhold, Barbara Stubbings.