After two years of holding virtual shows online, the society was finally able to hold a real live Spring Show in the Ewhurst Village Hall on Saturday 9th April. Despite Spring coming early, followed by the recent extremes of weather ravaging many of our flowers, plus lingering Covid hesitancy about meeting indoors in numbers, it was such a lovely event!
The number of entrants was down on pre-covid levels but this was not evident as everyone who entered made sure to contribute exhibits for as many classes as possible. The judges commented on the high standard over all the classes.
Horticultural cup winners this year were: Margaret Lockwood, who won the John Bennett Perpetual Bowl for the best exhibit for her vase of 3 splendid tulips; Richard Munford who won both the Tabor Cup for the most points in the members’ daffodil classes and the Margaret Hawes Cup for the most points in the open daffodil classes, as well as an NDS Diploma; Richard Tabor who won both the Greenfield Trophy for the best bloom and the SHF Merrist Wood Cup for the best daffodil in show, both awarded for his splendid Ombersley bloom. Richard also won the NDS Bronze Medal for his vase of 5 different varieties of daffodil.
The floral art entries were all gorgeous and this year Jane Bishop, new both to the village and the society, won the Cranleigh Cup for the most points overall. Photo shows Jane’s winning entry in the “Easter Basket” class, using all materials from her own garden.
In the home fare section, Marian Heathcote won the Rural Pies Cup for most points, while Margaret Lockwood won the Chairman’s Challenge £10 prize for her Bakewell Tart.
The EHS committee and helpers pulled out all the stops to ensure a colourful and fragrant spectacle for our visitors in the afternoon and offered scrumptious home-made cakes and teas on the refreshments stall, which were hugely enjoyed. There really was the feeling that public flower shows are back!
At the end of the afternoon after presentation of awards, there was a raffle and auction of many of the lovely flowers and home fare items – what a joy!
