Past Events


Summer Show 2023

On a beautiful, though windy, August Saturday morning, exhibitors arrived to stage their blooms, produce and craftwork for the Felpham & Middleton Horticultural Summer Show.  After wet weather prior to the Show and the wet and windy weather the morning of the day before, it was surprising to see such a high standard of entries, as the judges willing attested to. 

Some 29 exhibitors, one of which was a non-member, took part, submitting 266 exhibits to make up a very successful Summer Show which 94 visitors attended.

In the Flower Classes the dahlias, in particular, were outstanding with Pauline Scrace winning the Jescot Cup for Best Dahlias in Show and also the Norman Beeson Cup for Most Points in Dahlia Classes.  Gladioli classes saw an increase in the number of exhibits with Margaret Howard winning the Clater-Clout Cup for Best Exhibit.  The Clarke Cup for Best Vase of Cut Flowers went to Sandra Harris and the Kane Cup to Sandra Dean for most points in Flower Classes. Linda Wilson won the Beryl Allen Plate for the Best Orchid in Show.  

A number of cups were closely fought. Anna Hawkes won the Kane Challenge Cup for most points in Vegetable Classes, by just one point from Margaret Howard.  The Pam Grant Cup for the Best Exhibit in the Pot Plant Section (excluding orchids) went to Sandra Dean. David Donovan won the Salmon Cup for most points in Fruit Classes. 

It was disappointing that Floral Art entries were down again. However, Sandra Dean was the well-deserved winner of the West Sussex Flower Club Trophy for Best Exhibit in Floral Art for her magnificent entries.

The number of photographic entries increased with impressive images of beach scenes, flowers, country life and in the intriguing title of “Fish, fur or feather”. This was a closely contested trophy with Rhonda Ball winning by one point from Sue Faircloth.

The Arts and Crafts section continues to showcase the incredible talents that can be found amongst our exhibitors. This Show, in particular, saw some outstanding entries. The Horsfield Cup for most points in this Section was deservedly awarded to Michelle Sinclair, a non-member.

Entries were slightly lower than usual in the Cookery and Preserves Section but nevertheless a good selection was on the Show benches and all looked very appetising indeed.  

The Adames Cup for the Most Outstanding Horticultural Exhibit was awarded to Pauline Scrace.  The Manor House trophy for most points in Show was awarded to Sandra Dean.  This was a very closely fought competition.

The most prestigious medal of all is the RHS Banksian Medal which is awarded to the competitor who obtains the largest total amount of money in prizes in Horticultural classes. According to RHS rules the winners of the two previous years are not eligible to win the medal.  Mrs Sandra Dean won the medal in 2022 and the medal was not presented in 2021 due to covid.  The winner this year is Pauline Scrace, a well-deserved winner.

Thanks to the generosity of our members there was a good selection of plants, cakes and jams for sale.  Also homemade cakes were on offer for our afternoon teas, which members enjoyed on a lovely sunny afternoon in St Mary’s garden.   

The raffle had a varied selection of prizes to win, many of which were donated by members and all were keen to have a go at the recently introduced Treasure Island Hunt, where there were some impressive images of the “Treasure”, the treasure being £10 cash.  The hard work of all who volunteered to spend their Saturday afternoon to help the Society is much appreciated.

Ivy with her winning plants

Summer Show Trophy Winners