ROPLEY Horticultural Society’s summer show was a “well-supported village event”, with more than 50 exhibitors and nearly 350 entries filling the parish hall with flowers, produce, floral art, handicrafts, and photographs.

The new craft section revealed “impressive local skills”, featuring paintings, quilting and glasswork.

Rosebie Morton, of The Real Flower Company, “marvelled” at the number and quality of the exhibits and urged ‘open’ exhibitors to join the society.

She also presented trophies to a number of established competitors.

Jeremy Carruthers won the Lyewood Cup, Society Produce Plate and Supreme Challenge Cup for his extensive produce-growing skills while Jill Shakespeare excelled in the flower-growing category and picked up the Cooper Rose Bowl for most points in members’ rose classes, Floral Challenge Cup for most points in members’ flower classes and the Summer Challenge Cup (fuchsia grown from a plant plug).

Dilys Warwick won the Henderson Cup for selected flower and produce classes across the spring and summer shows, Vicky Reed was awarded the Timms Cup for eggs, Charles Warwick picked up the Doris Pile Cup for cookery, and Ann Hart won the Hampshire Chronicle Cup for most points in floral art.

Maurice Shakespeare was awarded the Amateur Photo Shield, Mike Wilson won the Open Photo Shield, and Fred Archer was rewarded for his success in the sweet pea competition.

Rosebie also awarded trophies to a number of new exhibitors.

Marie-Caroline Burgess won the cup for Best Rose in Show while Rowena Durston won the Crystal Trophy for the best floral art exhibit with her “striking interpretation” of ‘Say It With Roses’ which was also voted Best Exhibit in Show.