Crowds defied wet conditions to turn out for a local gardening club’s annual harvest show.
The Bridport and District Gardening Club Harvest show, held earlier this month, was enjoyed by all.
This year’s festivities coincided with the Bridport Hat Festival, giving all who attended a reason to complement the produce with their headwear.
A Charity Plant Fair held outside on East Street run by Ann Brown, Vivienne Smith and Gordon Smith raised more than £100 for cancer support group Stepping Out, before the afternoon rain drove people to seek shelter.
Inside the hall, organisers said that a wide array of exhibits demonstrated that entrants had been hard at work in gardens and kitchens, and praised artists, photographers and crafters for their work.
A spokesperson for the gardening club said that the wet summer had put a dampener on the number of dahlias and roses entered, but added that a ‘gargantuan’ marrow grown by Mark Porterfield, creative entries in the category ‘Christmas decorations made from recycled materials’ from Wendy Thorogood and a record number of photography entries made a difference to the event.
The spokesperson wanted to give a special mention to frequent exhibitor Pam Tribe for her ginger lily. Cyril Whitlock and the guild of show judges awarded a special certificate for ‘an appreciation of the outstanding merit of the exhibit, and as a tribute to the skill of the exhibitor.’
Mayor of Bridport Anne Rickard was in attendance with consort Dave Rickard, giving out trophies and rosettes to winners.
A spokesperson for the Bridport and District Gardening Club said: “Well-deserved overall winner Fiona Graham-Flynn demonstrated her prowess at growing across the range of flowers, fruit and vegetables, whereas runner-up Wendy Thorogood had covered handicrafts and photography to a tee.
“Many thanks to everybody who made the day a success, exhibiting, catering, organising, marking etc, but to Anne West, Gill Fitzjohn, Sue Baker and Anne Bark in particular who have devoted many hours to provide another successful show for our wonderful town.”
With more than 600 members, the club hosts ten monthly meetings at the WI Hall in North Street, Bridport welcoming a guest speaker.
The group also offer an outing once a month during the spring and summer and aim to have a members’ holiday every other year, also holding a popular Christmas lunch in December.
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