After several challenging years of difficult growing conditions, the much improved Spring weather of 2025 delivered show benches which were laden with colourful displays across a wide range of classes.  There were 198 entries in total from 24 adults and 4 juniors.

Entries were evenly spread across the Daffodil classes and the high quality exhibits showed a variety in colour and form to be found among this Spring favourite.  They also drew high praise from the show judge.  The Robert Gorham Cup for best exhibit was awarded to Lindy Bates for her entry in Class 1 (Trumpet) and Lindy was also presented with The Society's Cup for most points in the daffodil classes.

In the Miscellaneous classes, Jan Page won the Howard Smith Cup for best exhibit with her entry in Class 27 (Evergreen shrubs) and Jane Wells took the Martin Cup for most points in classes 10-30 with all but one of her entries placing in the top three of each class.

There were 50 entries in the Cookery classes, leaving our judge with some impossibly difficult decisions.  As a result, she awarded what seemed like a record number of joint places, with Durrant Cup for most points overall being awarded to Jan Page.  There were five entries each in Classes 41 and 42 where exhibitors all follow the same recipe.  Jess Wilton was placed first in the Sweet Dish ( apple shortcake) and Dorothy Crawfurd took first place in the Savoury Dish (courgette and pesto tart).

In the Floral Art section a whole bench was dedicated to displaying the eight entries in  A Trug Full of Delight, which was a semi-imposed class where all the entrants were provided with the same trug to house their arrangement.  Viewed in the round, these beautiful Spring arrangements really put Floral Art centre stage and created a colourful Show highlight which drew many admiring comments.  It was also really pleasing to see that two new members were placed second and third in the Ying and Yang class, having joined the Society's monthly flower arranging group at the beginnig of the year.  First place in both these classes and winner of the Society's Rose Bowl for best exhibit in the large Floral Art classes was Bruna Christoff.  Winner of the Pat Billington Cup for best exhibit in the small Floral Art classes was Lindy Bates for her entry in Mothering Sunday.

In the Children's section there were three entrants in the Age 7 and Under category and we were treated to a display of decorated biscuits and three charming homemade bird nests.  In the Age 8 to 11 category the Children's Spring Cup was awarded to Oscar Sperling for his Vegetable Garden Plan and a vase of Spring flowers.

In Photography the titles were Spring in the Countryside, where Maurice Dalton took first place, and Bursting Buds.  This second class created some interesting family rivalry with Sharon Sperling's entry taking first place as it was judged to meet the Bursting Buds brief most accurately.  Gerald Sperling took third in the came class but was awarded the overall Photography Spring Cup for his "subtle and beautiful composition and the most pleasing picture in the show".

In summary, the 2025 show as another joyful celebration of Spring and a source of garden inspiration for all our visitors.  Our thanks go to everyone involved in the planning and delivery of this event for our members.

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