2022 Show Report

LMHS AUGUST 2022 SUMMER SHOW REPORT
Show Secretary - Tim Prior

The only way I can start this is by saying a very big thank you to everyone who supported the show, principally our exhibitors and visitors. Our grant provider ' Make a difference locally' and Filco supermarkets. Your committee members, the 3 judges, our two wonderful registrars, our 3 refreshment ladies and the photographer. Finally, I would also like to thank the following for
supporting our raffle with prizes: Waitrose and Partners Cowbridge, Topstak, the Co-Operative group, Hozelok Ltd, Waterstones, Spear & Jackson and Lakeland. So if you have managed to read through this you can now appreciate the support it takes to provide our society and Llantwit Major with an annual show.

What a year it been, extreme periods of heat and sudden heavy downpours before the show; I take my hat off to our exhibitors who managed to stage vegetables and flowers on the day. It was noticeable, the empty spaces amongst the flowers, no Roses, Carnations or Sweetpeas, a few Gladiolli. Yes it was tough but congratulations must go to Sylvia Geary (best flower exhibit), Chris Jones, Elaine Brown, Tim Fowler, Albert Payne, Sylvia Combes, Liz Rees and Val Lane for providing floral exhibits that won the classes they entered and I will also congratulate those of you who did not get a first place.

The weather also impacted on the vegetables, only one brave soul exhibited a dish of Runner Beans, no French Beans, Peas or Leeks and I am still awaiting the appearance of a pair of Cauliflowers; maybe one show hopefully. There were 37 classes in the vegetable sections of which 31 were entered, brilliant and more variety than the Vale Show, absolutely! If you viewed these classes how can you forget the broadside of massive Onions that Bill Aspinall had grown or that great green 22 inch long 5lb Cucumber that Jarrod Windsor had so lovingly cared for. More Carrots this year and Cabbages too. I would like to especially thank the following Michael Sherratt, Alan Price, Cathy King and Andrew Lewis who were novices at the show, well done, keep up the good work and see you all next year. Congratulations also to Ken Jones who's Tomatoes not only won best vegetable exhibit but also best in the the show overall. Must not forget the following either: Elaine Brown, St Illtyds Primary School, Tim Prior, Chris Burford, Tim Fowler and the rest of the vegetable growers. Thank you.

But did you see what the little ones had grown and made? Magnificent entries in our children's sections of natural foliage, garden flower arrangements, egg cup arrangements, picture colouring, the animals were absolutely sublime and an imaginative way to use vegetables and fruit. But lastly the miniature gardens that Phoebe Latham and Ella Stark made - breathtakingly detailed and they both must have the patience of saints. There were exhibits from five children in the various age groups who all worked really hard, so let us thank: Eden Rudd, Freddy King, Enid Holford, Phoebe Latham and Ella Stark who won the best overall children's exhibit with her miniature garden. Well done to you all for your hard work and creativity.

Finally, our last section to mention and close to your chairman's heart, the Home Produce. Here we found the usual suspects, the Boiled Fruit cakes and Lemon Drizzle cakes, Scones and Welsh cakes and boy did they look good! I think of any section I would judge it would have to be this, the baking looked so lovingly good! Congratulations to Chris Saxton, Tim Prior, Chris Prior, Sylvia Comben and Janice Simmonite for winning their classes. Bakers you will be
pleased to hear that the Victoria Sponge will be returning next year! Jams and Chutney's were well represented as were the offerings from our home brewers, fine skills to hone in times of coming austerity and what an enjoyable past time and something to relish throughout the year. Our winners in these sections were: Elaine Brown, Chris Saxton, Ken Jones, and Tim Fowler. The overall winner of the Home Produce only by a whisker was Tim Prior.

Lastly some show facts for you: we had 171 exhibits form 33 exhibitors. There were 178 visitors (it seemed a lot more). Over £300 was paid out in well deserved prize money. There was spare space on our staging tables so we look forward to some new exhibitors and old exhibitors returning for 2023. A full list of class placements and trophy winners can be found below.

It only remains for me to say 'Thank you' again to everybody who either staged exhibits, visited or helped on our day, it makes it worthwhile and I shall start to plan the next show this October for the 19th August next year!

Please visit our show page for full details of prizes and photos.

Gwennan Rees