The bad weather in March could not stop a gardening club’s Spring show.

Despite Storm Emma and the ‘Beast from the East’ Bridport and District Gardening Club’s show, which took place on Saturday, March 24, was highly successful.

After completing the paperwork, the club found there were 47 exhibitors and 377 exhibits, an increase from last year.

On the day of the show, nearly all the exhibits arrived and the club had a hall full of spring flowers and a variety of vegetables on show.

In ‘Home Produce winner’ for best exhibit was a spectacular ‘showstopper cake’ from Alan Finch.

A new class was introduced, which was so successful, it may become a permanent fixture for future shows. The club asked for ‘A Limerick on gardening – a humourous five line stanza’, and found it caught the Bridport imagination with 14 entries.

The winner was Maureen Hymas, with an appropriate Limerick on the effect of snow on garden plants.

The club had David Downton presenting the trophies. David, from Dorchester, has successfully exhibited his daffodils for many years.

Show co-ordinator, Ann Brown, said: “Sadly, age has caught up with David and he could no longer achieve his perfection level and no longer carry the heavy physical effort of moving plants into the garage and greenhouse.”

Mr Downton offered to fund the Daffodil Society affiliation for the club and an annual bronze medal and certificate for the best exhibit in the cut daffodil classes that the recipient can keep.

Ann said: “Given it was the first time the medal was presented, it was appropriate that it was won by David’s friendly rival Ken Hunt, who has been successfully exhibiting daffodils for many years.”

Mr Hunt was also overall show winner, with Dave Townsend awarded runner up.

All money raised by the plant stall will go to Sydney Gale House for their activities and amenities fund.

Ann said: “There were many wonderful entries, too many to mention individually, so please do come along on September, 1 and have a look at the Late Summer show. You may even be inspired to take part next Spring. Bridport and District Gardening Club shows are open to all, not just members.”

Visit bridportgardeningclub.co.uk or call 01308 424055.