THE hot, dry summer has made it a hard year for growers but that didn’t stop the people of Menston coming out in their droves for the 43nd Menston Village Show, held in the Kirklands Community Centre on Saturday, September 8. It was another triumph with more entries and bigger crowds.

“It’s been a bumper year for apples,” said Show President Sue Rix as she thanked the crowds attending, the entrants who had persevered with the summer weather and the hardworking committee. Barnoldswick’s ‘town cryer’ Elisa Mowe once again led the lively presentation of the trophies.

The show has grown this year as the new community owned Kirklands Centre opened every room for the exhibits, with dedicated rooms for photography, home produce and crafts as well as the main hall full to the brim with fruit, flowers and vegetables.

A show spokesperson said: “We had best in classes with flower arrangements that celebrated 70 years of the NHS, dahlias the size of dinner plates and marrows bigger than you thought possible to grow!

“The biggest surprise this year was the handicrafts with record numbers of entries. Everything from knitted penguins, crochet rabbits to screen prints and handmade skirts and bags.

“Let’s not forget the home produce. The shortage of blackberries made entrants get creative with jams, pickles and chutneys as we saw new recipes for hedgerow jams and marrow chutney. The children’s entries were phenomenal with sparkly cupcake creations, intricate battenbergs and chocolate cakes that were shop quality.

“The Leslie Wood Memorial Trophy for the best in show went to Neil Hooton for his loaf of bread that would make the great British Bake Off’s Paul Hollywood proud. Sophie Wilson won the Barbara Hannam Trophy for best children’s entry for her vegetable modelling skills. The overall winner was Sarah Gregory who took home the Fawcett Trophy.

“Roll on 2019 for the 44th Menston Village Show.”

Results

Youngsters’ trophy winners

Barbara Hannam Trophy for best children’s entry: Sophie Wilson

Fred Marcham Cup for needlework/embroidery: Lily Edwards

Junior Photography Cup: Ella Zigmund

Children’s handicrafts cups:

Age 6 and under: Thomas Douglas & Amelia Worthington (Joint winners)

Age 7 to 10: Emelyn McCann & Grace Huntington (Joint Winners)

Age 11 to 14: Lily Edwards

Children’s cups for Floral Art, Novelty and Baking

Age 6 and under: Sophie Wilson

Age 7 to 10: Grace Huntington

Age 11 to 14: April Kenyon & Austin Riley (Joint winners)

Adult trophy winners

Leslie Wood Memorial Trophy for best in show: Neil Wooton

Fawcett Trophy for overall winner: Sarah Gregory

Derek Bond Trophy for fruit and vegetables: Sarah Gregory

Fred Ashton Trophy for flowers: Sarah Gregory

Rose Wood Trophy for best single rose: Victoria Taylor

Wharfedale Fuchsia Society Trophy: Brian Parker

Joan Pullan Cup for flower arrangement: Elizabeth Loy

Handicrafts Cup: Christine Sutherland

Photography Cup: Jean Enderby