NEITHER the ferocious summer storms nor general inclement weather managed to deter or detract from the quantity and quality of entries into Alton Horticultural Society’s annual summer show.

Held at Alton Assembly Rooms at the end of June, the array of flowers, fruit and vegetables on display was a credit to everyone who entered.

Judge Geoff Hawkins awarded the trophy for the Best in Fruit and Vegetable classes to Barbara West for her entry of any June produce displayed in a large basket which showed great variety and quality.

And he awarded the Flower Trophy to Jane Lees for her entry in the flowering shrub category.

The floral art classes presented some interesting themes and judge Debbie Leno awarded best in class trophy to Diane Prior for her entry ‘Seascape’ which incorporated shells, driftwood and other seaside finds.

Craft was well supported with an array of talented and beautiful work in all of the classes and the trophy for best exhibit was presented to Judith Elphee for her pastel drawing of two foxes.

Homecraft classes included jams, pickles, cakes, quiches and scones and Chris Warner impressed the judge with her lemon drizzle cake to scoop the winner’s trophy.

Photography entries increase each year and judge Neil Prior awarded his trophy to John Gilbert for a photograph with the theme ‘Whatever the weather’.

Alton Brownies, who meet at Chawton Park Road and always support the show, this year had 11 entries in the Draw a Picture of a Garden class. In recognition of and as a ‘thank you’ for their support, special T-shirts were presented to them by the Alton Horticultural Society.

Running alongside the show, and hosted by the horticultural society, was the annual Alton in Bloom scarecrow competition.

Held in the gardens outside the Assembly Rooms, it is always a fun event, producing some wonderful exhibits, and this year’s competition was one of the best with some very imaginative entries.

All of them had been made by children – adults aren’t allowed to help – and the youngsters certainly used their imagination to create some colourful and funny scarecrows.

The winner in the individual class was six-year-old Summer, second were Poppy and Stanley.

Little Den Pre-School won the group category and as the overall winners will hold the Scarecrow Trophy for the next year.

Second were the children from Wootey Infant School, with their celebration of the Queen’s birthday, and third were the 2nd Alton Brownies.

Entries from the 3rd Alton Cubs and 8th Alton Cubs marked the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Cub section of the boy Scouts.

Prizes of bulbs, donated by Garthowen Garden Centre, will be given to the children in September.