The sun shone on Pilning Flower Show last Saturday, allowing organisers to again use the open outdoor spaces of St Peter’s School – a lesson learnt from the Covid restrictions of 2021.
All of the main hall was used to show off the displays of vegetables, flowers, fruit, preserves, cakes, photographs, children’s entries and adult crafts.
Fears that entries would be down, especially with the recent hot weather, didn’t materialise with 385 entries from 55 competitors.
Show stalwart Edward England was the most successful competitor, taking home five awards in vegetables and flowers.
His total of 36 points wasn’t enough to beat the 1991 record of 49 points by Jim Gillespie.
Jim passed away earlier this year, but his family were on hand to present a new cup donated in his memory for best pickled produce, won by Helen and Jon Oates.
A record was broken though in photography, with Bob Edwardes from Thornbury placing in each of the seven classes and scoring 16 points. Additionally, his wife Sue had two firsts in preserves and won a cup for most points in baking.
The top award of best in show went to Catherine Fish for her beautifully created woollen hare in the craft sections.
The best entry by a parish resident was a batique and silk painting of a turtle by Beccy Latham Roberts. A full set of results will be published on Pilning Flower Show’s Facebook page.
The trophies were presented by Gill Edwards, representing principal charity for the show The Avon Centre (RDA), who with Community Defibrillators then received cheques from show organisers.
The presentations were followed by by Nick Harley and Gary Sheppard's auction of show produce and items donated by local people and businesses.
Top bids were made for ornamental trees and apple juicing services. The bumper raffle concluded events.
Organisers were delighted by the generosity of those donating and the attendees who dug deep meaning that a significant second cheque can be presented to the Avon Centre at the show’s AGM in October. The annual show will return on August 26, 2023.
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