YaptonGardeners Show and Events

Winning bowl from Debbie Lawrence.

From Yapton Correspondent John Dickeson

Yapton and District Cottage Gardeners' Autumn Show Report.

The Show Secretary, David Donovan wrote that the show brought splendour and colour to the Village Hall.

Dahlias took pride of place on the show bench but sprays of fuchsia also drew attention; there were vases of other cut flowers with a range of pot plants, quite an assortment of vegetables, with some grown for weight, and well contested for fruit especially apples. Once again, the flower arrangements brought favourable comment from the judge; there were twelve entries this time. Male competitors dominated the cookery prize-taking in a well supported section, where the judge enjoyed herself tasting apple pies, coconut cakes and pasties.

The photography judge took an unusually long time to assess the images before him, and gave a further interval to explain his decisions to officiating staff. He number of children's exhibits gave an indication of renewed interest by the younger element, and finally there were 10 entries by adults in the handicraft classes of handwriting, drawing and greetings cards.

In sum, 261 entries were submitted by 43 exhibitors, 6 of whom were staging for the first time in Yapton, and 5 of which gained at least one prize.

The 100 or so visitors arrived as a steady stream during the afternoon. After the competitive display had been viewed, side stalls tempted the onlookers with sales of bedding plants and cut flowers, hand made cards, cakes, tombola, raffle and the days television `bonus ball' broadcast. The kitchen offered light refreshments with a choice of homemade cakes.

The Autumn Show marked the completion of the year's competitive events in Yapton. The Cottage Gardeners Chairman, Roy Phillips presented the awards. The VILLAGE CRIERS TROPHY for most points in the horticultural classes throughout the year, that is in four shows, went to Alan Humphrey; as most successful successful exhibitor on the day he took the EDITH GODFREY TROPHY, but for the best vegetable exhibit on display, it was Malcolm Paradine who received the DEEGAN SHIELD. The best vase of dahlias was shown by Christine Fry for the NATIONAL DAHLIA SOCIETY SILVER MEDAL CERTIFICATE, with the BRONZE MEDAL being won by the above mentioned Alan Humphrey. The Society Chairman retained the JOAN WADDINGTON MEMORIAL VASE for fuchsias, but Roy Phillips will also have his name added to the NEIL BAXTER MEMORIAL TROPHY for cookery and handicrafts. Joan Jackson retained the W.R TROPHY for season long success in flower arranging, and Allison Marsh was the recipient of the PHOTOGRAPHIC AUTUMN CHAMPIONSHIP.

Eight year old Ashleigh Heasman collected the JUNIOR AUTUMN CUP as the most successful exhibitor for the day and the JUNIOR VILLAGE CRIERS CUP for the most points for the year.

Green Fingers in Eden

Yaptongardeners were among the 31 members and friends of the Littlehampton Allotment and Leisure Gardens Association who enjoyed a weekend break to Cornwall.
After traveling down on the Friday they stayed for the weekend in Plymouth and then spent a whole day at the Eden Project near St Austell.
On arriving at the site the two massive plastic domes suddenly come into view. The members were amazed at the scale of the site and the domes in particular. It was difficult to believe how an old china clay mine could be transformed into such an amazing site.
The domes are an engineering masterpiece and the whole site has literally been turned into a ‘Garden of Eden’. The larger dome is the tropical area the array of plants on show is quite literally breathtaking. Massive tree Ferns and other tropical plants show all the different forms and colours of a typical tropical environment.
They all look as though they have been growing there for many years.
There is even a waterfall tumbling down from the top.
As well as plants there are a number of structures throughout the dome depicting life in the different countries where the plants have their natural habitat.
The second dome represents a Mediterranean type climate with a profusion of brightly coloured plants. Much of it is laid out like a Mediterranean village including a vineyard.
The outside gardens are just as impressive. There are row upon row of all kinds of vegetables and many colourful beds of seasonal shrubs and flowers.

There is also one Pavilion with many exhibits on man’s interaction with nature. From a giant sledgehammer to crack a nut to explanations of the water cycle –there was so much to learn.

On the way back on Sunday members called into Bennett’s Water Gardens near Weymouth. Here they wandered round the many beautiful ponds and lakes created from an old Brickfield.
They even had the chance to wander over a replica Monet’s bridge. Many of the lilies in the ponds originally came from the pond that Monet painted his famous in his famous painting.
They were bought to England by the current owner’s father.

Tony Squires, the organiser of the tour, commented ‘The members were enthralled by their weekend and learnt a great deal to take back and use in their own allotments and gardens.’

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