FOUR Marks Horticultural Society attracted strong support in terms of exhibitors and visitors to its annual spring show at the village hall on Saturday.

The April showers did little to dampen enthusiasm, with show secretary Norman Day recording more than 200 entries from members and by 9.30am “the hall was packed with a magnificent display of blooms, vegetables, cookery and floral art”.

“It was a really cheerful sight to behold,” he said.

Judging begabn at 10am and flower judge Helen Stock was particularly complimentary about the standard of daffodil and narcissus classes. Some of the best exhibits were to be found in the yellow trumpet classes, with Norman Day winning both the single bloom and three-stem classes.

Carole Pullen triumphed with the largest number of points gained in this division and “has to be commended for placing entries in almost every class”, but perhaps the most difficult class to stage, a vase of nine mixed daffodils with no less than seven varieties, was won by Rosie Giles.

Flowering shrubs and pot plants in many classes presented a colourful display and, according to Mr Day, the large number of entries necessitated bringing in an additional table to accommodate them.

Entries in the floral art section were down this year but the standard was “remarkably high”. Yvonne Seaton gained the award for the most points accrued in the section, but best exhibit was won by Sylvia Muskett for her depiction of the ‘Easter Bunny’.

The cookery section was really well represented with 38 entries spread over the seven classes. Decorated Easter cakes were the most prominent feature with some really clever designs, the winner being Linda Osborn’s entry made to look like a bird’s nest, populated by a flock of birds and their eggs.

Cookery judge Ann Skip eventually awarded best exhibit to Pippa Cockhead’s blackcurrant jam. The Cockhead family did well in this section, with husband Mike winning the men’s class with his Shrewsbury biscuits.

During the afternoon, a crowd of more than 100 people made their way to the village hall. As well as admiring the exhibits, there was a well-stocked plant and produce stall and a raffle offering a number of useful items for gardeners. A visit to the ‘Green Welly’ café, serving teas and a selection of homemade cakes, was obligatory.

Society president Mike Scruse presented the winners of each section with cups and trophies.

Results:

The Flower Basket Cup (for most points in the flower classes, excluding small-cupped daffodils): Carole Pullen.

The Slater Cup (for best exhibit in show, excluding floral art and cookery): Carole Pullen.

The DJ Haddock Cup (for most points in the small-cupped daffodil classes): Carole Pullen.

The Stoodley Cup (display of nine daffodils, minimum seven varieties): Rosie Giles.

The Howarth Vegetable Trophy (for best exhibit in the vegetable classes): Mike Saltmarsh.

The Martin Award (for most points in the floral art classes 42-45): Yvonne Seaton.

The Dorothy Holford Award (for best exhibit in the floral art classes 42-45): Sylvia Muskett.

The Sylvia Stem Vase (for most points in floral art classes 46 & 47): Annette Day.

The Doctor Margaret Hall Cup (for best exhibit in the floral art classes 46 & 47): Annette Day.

The Rosie Giles Award (for most points in the cookery classes): Linda Osborn.

The Mundy Cup (Best exhibit in the Cookery Classes) - Pippa Cockhead.

The next meeting of Four Marks Horticultural Society is on Monday, May 8, at 7.30pm, when the speaker will be John Baker, who will give a talk entitled ‘Delightful Dahlias’. New members are always welcome and the annual subscription is £10.