Winchelsea gardeners were up early and out in the rain to search for blooms as yet not nibbled by hungry slugs. In spite of the unpromising weather of the past couple of months, the number of entries for the Spring Show on April 7 was up on previous years, as was the number of individual exhibitors. Recent cold inevitably meant fewer tulips but on the plus side there were plenty of daffodils and, on an eventually sunny afternoon, the community was treated to a fantastic display at a well-supported, sociable and inclusive event.
There was a wide range of winners in the different categories but the cups were shared between just three. John Dunk, the president of Winchelsea Garden Society, won the cup for flowers and Hilary Roome the cup for pot plants, but they were both comprehensively trumped by Celia King who went away with the cup for floral art, the challenge bowl for cookery and the salver for the overall winner in the flower and floral art sections. Best overall entry for floral art was decided by popular vote and the winner was Cynthia Martin for her Easter bonnet. The prizes were presented by the new mayoress of Winchelsea, Deborah Rodley.
Six Winchelsea Gardens will be on display this coming weekend, Saturday April 14, from 1pm to 5:30pm for the first of this year’s National Garden Scheme (NGS) openings.
Collect your NGS booklet from Adams Stationers on Rye High Street.
Photo: David Page