Wordsworth would have been proud of Ninfield's gardeners

Outside, the Easter Bank Holiday weather was alternating between sunshine with a bitingly cold wind and heavy showers of rain, sleet and hail.

But inside Ninfield Memorial Hall on Saturday entrants had performed their yearly miracle and produced a "host of golden daffodils."

There was much more besides. Alpines and wallflowers competed for attention with pot plants and hellebores.

A well-represented photographic section saw entries under titles like Pampered Cats, Pub Sign and Shingle Shoreline.

The Storm Clouds class produced some outstandingly angry skyscapes, notably Di Whitworth's dramatic winner.

Among the handicrafts, John Clarke's handsome oak table was subtitled "Recycled gate-post."

In the week following a severe storm, show secretary Rose Franks was pleased with the show.

She said: "We have 239 entries from 38 entrants.

"We are up on flowers but, overall, entries are slightly down - but only slightly.

"I think we have a brilliant display of daffodils - in spite of he wintry weather!

"The floral art classes are up. We have a good range of crafts and photographic entries.

"What is particularly pleasing is that we have a good range of names among the winners - not just the same people all the time.

"But where are all the children? We are down for the under-fives - in spite of all my efforts.

"This year we have two families who are encouraging their children to enter. Surely there are more children around in Ninfield?"

Derek and Pat Westgate had been kept busy judging the flowers, floral art and handicrafts with Thelma and Peter Nance judging the photographic and children's sections.

Trophy winners:

Maurice J. Cornford Memorial Cup, most points in classes 1-29, Derek Parks; Society's Shield for best exhibit, classes 1-29, Derek Parks; Vi Simmonds Shield, best exhibit, classes 30-34, Barbara Strevett; Perpetual Challenge Cup, most points, floral art classes 35-39, Di Whitworth; Ted Ive Shield, most points, photography classes, 40-45, Sarah Holmes; Maurice J. Cornford Memorial Shield, most points, children five-eight years, Fallon Scott/ Alvin Scott; M. J. Corley Challenge Cup, most points, children aged eight-13 years, Holly Scott; Challenge Cup, most points in teenage class, Fraser Campbell; Handicraft Cup, most points classes 56-64, Rose Franks/John Pont.

Class winners:

Narcissi and Flowers: Class 1, Derek Parks; Class 2, David Carr; Class 3, Derek Parks; Class 4, Ken Waller; Class 5, Doug March; Class 6, Diana Pilbeam; Class 7, Diana Pilbeam; Class 8, Derek Parks; Class 9, K. Waller; Class 10, Ken Waller; Class 11, Derek Parks; Class 12, Derek Parks; Class 13, Derek Parks; Class 16, Ivan Luck; Class 17, Ken Waller; Class 18, Sybil Clarke; Class 19, Mrs P. Smith; Class 20, Sybil Clarke; Class 21, J. Pont; Class 22, Brian Croft; Class 23, Barbara Strevett; Class 24, Barbara Strevett; Class 25, Sybil Clarke; Class 26, Mrs P. Smith; Class 27, Lily Sage; Class 28, Di Whitworth; Class 29, Sybil Clarke.

Pot plants: Class 30, Barbara Strevett; Class 31, Mrs M. Moss; Class 32, Sybil Clarke; Class 33, Barbara Strevett; Class 34, Sybil Clarke.

Floral Art: Class 35,Susan Campbell; Class 36, Di Whitworth; Class 37, Susan Campbell; Class 38, Pauline Parks; Class 39, Beryl Harmer.

Photography: Class 40, S. Holmes; Class 41, Jackie Longley; Class 42, Sybil Clarke: Class 43, Di Whitworth; Class 44, S. Holmes; Class 45, Robin Goldsmith.

Children up to eight: Class 47, Fallon Scott; Class 48, Alvin Scott: Class 49, Fallon Scott; Class 50, Fallon Scott.

Children aged eight to 13: Class 51, Holly Scott; Class 52, Holly Scott; Class 53, Holly Scott; Class 54, Holly Scott.

Teenage: Class 55, Fraser Campbell.

Handicrafts: Class 56, Rose Franks; Class 58, Di Whitworth; Class 59, Terry Austin; Class 60, John Clarke; Class 61, S. Fry; Class 62, Rose Franks; Class 63, J. Pont; Class 64, J.Pont.