The vagaries of the British weather are no match for the doughty gardeners of Rye. Proof of this was on display in abundance at Rye’s Flower and Veg show which was held on Saturday, August 18. Over 250 entries across 6 categories provided a fine spectacle at Rye Community Centre.
The morning saw Rye Allotments Association, organisers of the show, welcoming entrants from across the town bringing their produce, home baked goodies, handicraft items and photographs to the Community Centre. The judges of the various categories faced a difficult task in deciding the winners. In the afternoon residents and visitors viewed the exhibits and were able to enjoy delicious refreshments provided by the Ladies of Landgate WI and chance their luck on the tombola which was most ably run by Val Hobbes and Pat Marsh.
For the second successive year, overall victory went to Bill White who entered a great selection of good quality produce. Full list of results as follows:
Category Winners:
Vegetables and Fruit: Bill White
Flowers Foliage & Ornamental: Pat Wightwick
Cookery: Nancy Rankin
Photography: Lorna Hall
Handicraft: Joint winners Nancy Rankin and Leonard Platt
Children 8-15: Rhys Vicarey
Overall Winner: Bill White
The RHS Banksian Medal: Liz Bamji
The Turk Trophy Awarded for the allotment holder with the highest place points in the horticultural classes: Bill White
The Fullerton Challenge Bowl for three roses any variety: Liz Bamji
The Mary Grace Osborne Cup for a house plant: Pat Wightwick
The Butterfield Cup for a victoria sponge: Pat Wightwick
The Ivy Say Cup for a photograph depicting a song title: Lorna Hall
The Raffles Cup for something made of wool: Nancy Rank
The Tate Trophy for Best entry in vegetable and fruit category: Sue White
The Festival Challenge Bowl for overall winner of the Show: Bill White
I was delighted with the number and quality of entries to the horticultural classes this year, particularly given the very challenging growing conditions. It’s great to see not just allotment holders but gardeners across the town taking the time and trouble to put exhibits into the show. I am most grateful to Rye Amenity CIC for their financial contribution, to Concepts, Rye Retreat and the Town Council who supported production of the show schedule by placing adverts and to Rye Allotments Association, The Queens Head, The Town Council, The George in Rye and the Rye Bookshop who sponsored categories within the show. The judges deserve special thanks too and also the Ladies of Landgate WI who provided delicious refreshments and the children of Rye Community Primary School who designed the posters etc. Most of all however thanks must go to all those who participated in the show. It was great to see a number of new entrants this year and I very much hope that the show continues to flourish.
Image Credits: Andrew Bamji .