With the unpredictable summer weather we have been having, a lovely sunny August day dawned for the 134th Writhlington Flower Show and Fete. 

Despite climate change, the changeable seasons, and the economic difficulties we are all dealing with, our gardeners and exhibitors once again produced some excellent exhibits for the show benches, which made for a very successful Flower Show.

The Chairman welcomed the Flower Show President Mrs Hilary Denning who started the proceedings for the Traditional Afternoon Fete. We had a large number of visitors throughout the afternoon enjoying the many stalls, and attractions, with the Exhibitors Marquee being exceptionally busy and very full at one time. Some I am sure admiring the exhibits and trying to get hints and tips from those gardeners and exhibitors showing. We hope some of these will be encouraged to give showing and exhibiting a go for next year. 

The very popular Mendip Brass Band provide a lovely programme of music through the afternoon with many stopping to listen. 

For the Children we welcomed JoJo’s Sparkles, a fun puppet show, and children’s entertainer to our Fete this year and as well as the Free Sand Play that kept the young well occupied. Well Dinosaurs and Sand seemed to do the trick. 

The Mendip Bee Keepers Association, under the leadership of Mark Hitchens, and lovely association members were Busy as Bees all afternoon, also the South Wansdkye Archery Club who meet weekly at St Mary’s School field. I understand many of our visitors popped over to say hello and opted to try their hand at the Archery, we hope some of you will be inspired to take up a new hobby or sport. 

Prickles Hedgehog Rescue visited for the first time. We know that Hedgehogs are in trouble and having a tough time, so we wanted to help raise awareness of the decline in the Hedgehog population. We thank Laura and her team from Pickles Rescue. 

The Norton Radstock Classic Vehicle Club was a new addition to our Flower Show and Fete. These Beautifully kept cars, located in the middle of the field, drew much admiration from visitors, many could remember them from childhood and chatted to the proud owners and reminisced of times past. 

Inside the Village Hall was extremely busy all afternoon where past Flower Show members, old friends, and exhibitors caught up with a chat, many buying a cup of tea and homemade cake, then visiting the Norton Radstock Photographic Display. This was a wonderful display from a very talented group, and Jenny Short and members of the Society were on hand to share their expertise and knowledge. 

The Traditional Skittles and Tombola kept committee members extremely busy during a lovely afternoon, when proceedings then ended with a packed marquee for the Presentation. 

The Chairman Mr Rob Langley welcomed everyone to the Presentation and thanked all the exhibitors, visitors and those that attended the Fete for making it a successful 134th Show. 

He then introduced the Flower Show President Mrs Hilary Denning who kindly presented prizes and trophies to the following: Fruit & Vegetable Section: The Booth Cup & Whitstone’s Voucher- Mr Tim Bawden- Dick Price Cup for Best Exhibit, Norton Down Voucher & Unwins Herbs Mr Tim Bawden, The Garden News Sheild for Best Top Tray a Kent and Stowe Trowel and a £5 Kings Seed voucher for Mr Ian Chant. 

The Frank Millard Memorial Trophy for Best Runner Beans went to Mr Ian Chant. Flowers - Alan Gill Memorial Cup and Kent and Stowe Trowel – Rob Langley. 

The Bill Packer Memorial Cup for Best Exhibit and a Kent and Stowe Trowel went to Steve Gulliford. The Muriel Gill Cup for Best Vase of Dahlias & Kent and Stowe Trowel Richard Taylor. 

Children’s Section ‘Keeping it in the Family’: the President presented the Hedworth House Cup for most points and a Fillerup Art Box donated and sponsored by her daughter’s, Emily and Hannah to her grandson Leo Bartholomew, what special memories made. The Frank Millard Cup for Runner Up went to Harry Tuchell. 

The Jack Fussell Cup for Best Miniature Garden and an Insect/Bug House went to Nora Glenndinning. The Paddy Creton Cup for Best Art and Watercolour Set Anastasia Slyzhuk. The Dennis Rendell Memorial Trophy for Best Exhibit went to Eleanor Staley. The Richard Moon Memorial Trophy for Best Handwriting - a Colouring and Writing set - Anastasia Slyzhuk. Paddy Creton Art Prizes Watercolour sets to, Age 5-6yrs Bailey St Mary’s School, 7-8yrs Leo Bartholomew, 9-10 years Anastasia Sylzhuk, 11-16 years Cicely Langley. The Green Cup- 5-6 years Milo Smith, 7-8 years Leo Bartholomew, 9-10 years Finley Smith. ‘Pre School A Picture’ any Medium- 1st Dougie R, 2nd Charlie, 3rd Darcie - Exhibit own choice - 1st Artem, 2nd George E, 3rd Harry all from St Mary’s School Nursery. 

The Audrey Lane Cookery Cup & a Radstock Co-op Voucher- Cicely Langley, The Marion Davies Memorial Award for Best Exhibit and a Decorative plate Thomsons- Cicely Langley, The Ladies Needle Craft Cup- Susan Lewis, The Gloria Jenkins Plate for Best Exhibit- Rosecraft embroidery kit went to Jo Robertson. The David Fisher Memorial Trophy for Handicraft -Lauren Carver. Best Exhibit -Joan Lee. 

The Glass Trophy for Photography and Dragonfly Leisure Membership went to Debbie Tuchell. Best Exhibit- Lauren Carver. Children’s Photography, Bob Turner Trophy- Connor Lake, The Dawn Robinson Cup for Best exhibit – Connor Lake. 

The Carpenter Championship Trophy and Mitchards Family Butcher Voucher went to Mr Tim Bawden. 

The Gerald Lane Championship Cup & Whitstones voucher - Susan Lewis. The Centenary Trophy for Best Exhibit in Show and Sure Fit-it MOT voucher went to Jo Robertson for her beautiful crochet, all judges agreed it was an outstanding exhibit. 

The Grand Draw took place next and the winner of the Beautiful Wooden Planter from AJ Charlton and Sons was won by Mrs Janet Curtis, the stone planter and plant from Norton Down Garden Centre went to Mrs Amanda Audritt.

 The winner of the Football Game was Aiden, he received, courtesy Mr Simon Wilkinson and sponsored by Radstock Town Football Club, complementary tickets for a family visit to the Football Club and match. Congratulations to all our winners. 

The Chairman and the committee thank all the exhibitors, stall holders, family and friends and to everyone who donated, helped or contributed to making the 134th Village Flower Show and Fete a great day. 

All the proceeds from the day will support the 2024 Flower Show. 

Our next Event will be our Annual General Meeting on Monday, 9th October 7pm in the Village Hall, to which you are all welcome. 

Our next fundraising event is a Quiz Night on the 18th November. We would like to thank John Newport for his photography and recording of our 134th Flower Show. 

Thank you to Sarah, Donna and Lucy and all the staff at The Journal for their help advice and support of our Flower Show. 

Mrs Helen Gulliford