The wet winter and spring may have seemed miserable at the time but together with a lovely early summer it brought forth fruit, vegetables and flowers in abundance to the annual Bovingdon Horticultural Society show at the weekend.

There were 73 exhibiters entering almost 250 exhibits. Of the exhibiters 40 were children ranging from Connie Smith at just 19 months to Polly O’Donnell of 11 years old.  Altogether the children entered almost 50 exhibits.

For the second year pupils of Bovingdon Academy took part in the show. which was a special thrill. 

They were competing for the Springfield Cup and this year it was awarded to Sophie Lynch for the most meritorious exhibit being a painting of her house. 

Their entries were of a high standard and this time included an entry of broad beans which won acclaim for Annabelle Jarvis. Many of the childfren and their families attended the prize giving in the Memorial Hall in the High Street.

The Winners:

The Banksian Medal was awarded to Mike Leon for his all-round performance for vegetables, fruit and flowers, amassing the most prize money in these sections.

Carole Duke retained the Bovingdon Horticultural Society Cup. 

Mike Leon won the National Vegetable Society Medal for his collection of vegetables.  

Rod Pengelly, a newcomer, won the Mollie Aronson Cup for his roses.

The coveted Darley Ash Sweet Pea Cup was won by Doug Leslie. 

Glenys Welstead retained the Doubleday Cup for Floral Arts.  

Vivien Gabriel secured the Crawley Cup for preserves and cooking for the first time. 

Ron Smith retained the Douglas King Cup for photography.

Polly O’Donnell, aged 11, won the Small Challenge Cup, scoring the most number of points in the children’s section.

Sophie Lynch won the Springfield Cup which was awarded for the most meritorious exhibit by a pupil from the Bovingdon Primary Academy.