Hempstead
& District Gardeners' Club

Intro | Events | Shows | AGM | Monthly Tips
Cutting Garden | Gardening Year | Archive

(Please click here to view Julian McCarthy's history of H&DGC cup winners)


Hempstead Annual Show 2015

On Saturday the 12th July Hempstead held its Annual Flower & Vegetable Show in the Village Hall. It was a fine day at the end of a long, hot spell.

In total, 16 Adults entered 124 entries across the 62 classes. Sadly this is not enough to make a wholesome Show so competition across all Flower, Vegetable and Craft classes was limited. The warm weather meant that roses had mostly already bloomed so entries here were lower than usual. Cookery classes were well entered and much 'tasting' was needed here before prizes could be awarded.

In the children's section, with the support of Radwinter Pre-School, 134 children presented 224 entries including art, stories, handwriting and decorating flower-pots. Some of the work was superb although the standard of handwriting was considered to be lower than last year by the judges.

It was delightful to be able to award Cups to Mark Dymond and Alex Knibbs, neither of whom had won before. They were joined by Mandy Newman, Vic Ham, Diana Frost, and Sophie Boreham and Anthea McCarthy, who shared the Flower Arranging Cup. In the children's section, Robina Pollitt, Jonathan Coe and Jessica Gittins were successful and Jonathon won the overall Handwriting challenge - how good to see a boy win this year.

A large team of people were involved in putting on this event and my thanks go to everyone who gave their time and effort to making this event happen.

Diana Frost

The Cup Winners Were:-
ClassCupSectionWinners
1-15Sydney Haylock CupVegetablesMandy Newman
16-21Salad CupSaladMandy Newman
22-27Fruit CupFruitAlex Knibbs
1-27The Harding CupVegetables, Salad & FruitMandy Newman
28-30Thesiger Rose BowlRosesVictoria Ham
31-41Milford Haven CupOther FlowersDiana Frost
42-44The Colonel Smith AwardFlower ArrangementsSophie Boreham/
Anthea McCarthy
45-61The Domestic TrophyCookery & CraftsDiana Frost
 The Presidents CupLady: most pointsMandy Newman
 The Ken Jones CupGentleman: most pointsMark Dymond
 Jean Goff Novice AwardMember not previously won a cupMark Dymond
101-104Jubilee CupReception + Yr 1Robina Pollitt
105-108Sue Walker CupYears 2 + 3Jonathan Coe
110-114June Jones CupYears 4, 5 + 6Jessica Gittins
 Margeret Lambkin CupBest child's handwriting
taking age into account		Jonathan Coe
Horse & Pony Show 2019

Horse & Pony Show 2015

An excellent day of competition was enjoyed by everyone who entered this year's Horse & Pony Show held at Hill Farm by kind permission of David & Meryl Haylock. Sophie Haylock and her partner Dave created the schedule and built the show and jump rings and it was delightful to see many entrants making their first visit to this annual event.

The early morning shower passed on leaving perfect conditions for the Show with a good breeze; the only casualty being the Secretary's tent which was taken away by a gust of wind. Meanwhile there were plenty of dogs present (safely on leads), the drinks and burger van doing brisk business at lunchtime and a relaxed and happy mood among everyone there.

The gallery of photos shows some of the dedicated Mum's taking their little ones as young as four years old on their ponies, some of the 'jumpers', the onlookers, and a selection of competitors including and Sceona Bowyer who was much relieved after her first ever competition!

Well done to everyone who made the Show such a wonderful village event.

(Top of page)