Exquisite dahlias in vibrant colours, dainty sweet peas, huge cabbages, stunning bowls of floating flower heads and exotic pitcher plants were among the prize exhibits at the Tavistock and District 154th flower, produce and craft show.
It was the first year as show secretary for Tom Percival, who said entries were down a little, but the quality was very good. He put the lower entries down to the proximity to the Devon County Show and the mixture of weather recently — a lot of plants had 'gone over'. The foot and mouth crisis had also played a part.
There were about 92 exhibitors in the various sections, including some from as far afield as Exeter and Crediton. Encouragingly, Mr Percival said there were several new exhibitors this year.
The mayor of Tavistock, Norma Woodcock, opened the show declaring it the 'highlight of Tavistock's calendar'.
Winner of best in show was K Moxley from Ashwater — exhibiting at Tavistock for the first time — with a vase of four red dahlias.
Multiple trophy-winner Jenny Wonnacott of Tavistock included among her successes a first prize with a Devon Ballerina begonia which dropped one of its large flowers just before the show and was nearly not entered!
National vegetable judge, Eileen Ashton, was especially impressed with the huge cabbages and the quality of the runner beans, together with the 'top tray' category in which exhibitors have to find faultless examples of three different types of vegetable to display. She also praised the 'superb' dahlias and was surprised that exhibits at the show were looking so clean in view of the weather.
An enchanting mouse fashioned from onions, mushrooms, carrots and other vegetation won the Colenso Perpetual Cup for the best exhibit in the children's section for Emma Lewis from Tavistock — a regular exhibitor at the show. Leonard and Eleanor Raw, aged 6 and 9 from Tavistock, had also entered previously and won nine firsts plus many other placings between them.
Mike Heppell, judge of the home produce and children's food sections, said there were more entries in the food sections this year and he was particularly pleased — as a baker — to see the return of the loaf class. He was also pleased with the decorated cakes and the efforts taken to come up with different combinations of ingredients in the pickle classes.
An elaborate embroidery of a country scene which took six months to complete won Bridestowe's Doreen Bushell top place in the handicraft section, in which the exhibits ranged from a carver chair and Viking boat to hand-knitted garments and toys.
Judge for the photography section was Peter McMullin.He was impressed with the diversity of content of the photos and the good-sized entry, the flora topic being notably strong. He was pleased to see an improvement in the computer photography, although the quality of printing was not as good in this section.
Best trade stand was Burracott Plants of Gunnislake with their display of woodland perennials. Thelma Watson and Geoff Turner started the firm just 18 months ago.
Mike Hemens of West Country Turned Woods from Cargreen won the trade non-floral stand, with his display of bowls in a variety of woods and grains.
Overall the standard of entries was extremely good, but committee members and judges urged more people to enter next year to boost entries for this popular show.
Full results next week.