Thousands enjoy horticultural show

12:08pm Monday 1st September 2008

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RECORDS were there to be broken at this year’s Hawkesbury Horticultural Show.

Not only did people turn up in their thousands but the auction of prize-winning produce returned a record profit.

Organisers were thrilled with Saturday’s show, the biggest event in the village calendar.

General secretary Vicky Rispin said: "The number of people and entries, as well as the raffle and the auction, were all up on last year.

"It was a really successful show and we had more and more children exhibiting their produce which bodes well for the future."

The show is in its 123rd consecutive year and this year attracted visitors from all over the region.

A huge marquee housed stunning floral arrangements and a mouth-watering display of fruit and vegetables. New categories this year included a popular sloe gin competition.

The produce was all sold off by local auctioneer Nick Cragg amid an evening of entertainment and a hog roast, donated by show president the Duke of Beaufort.

The Duchess of Beaufort crowned carnival queen Natalie Atkinson and her attendants, twins Rosalind and Caitlin Holbrook, all pupils in Year 6 at Hawkesbury Upton Primary School.

"It was very much a traditional country show with everyone in the village taking part," added Mrs Rispin.