11:02am Sunday 5th July 2009
By John Harrison
An enjoyable, if slightly smaller, summer flower show brought a Rickmansworth church hall alive with colour yesterday - despite recent searing temperatures.
More than 200 entries survived the recent warm weather and made to the Rickmansworth Horticultural Society's annual summer show.
Vic Hind, chairman of the society, said while most people have been enjoying the recent heat wave, it had sadly taken its toll on gardens across south west Hertfordshire.
He said: “We have been relatively short on exhibitions for this show. We have about 210 and we would normally have about 350 exhibitions.
“It is mainly because we had such terrible weather about two or three days ago and lots of people have given up on their roses and such things because it has been so very very hot.”
Nevertheless, some spectacular flower arrangements, as well as some very appetising fruits and vegetables made for another popular summer show, held again in St Mary's Church hall.
Among the winners were Beryl Carpenter, who received certificates of merit for her mixed annuals and in the decorative classes.
Elaine Moyle picked up a prize for her tasty redcurrants, while John Brackley won praise for his spectacular nine pod peas in the vegetable section.
Carol Brackley won the Pinder Trophey, for baking, while Georgina Davies, aged 12, and Alexandra Browning, nine, were also praised in the arts and crafts section.
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