THERE were more than 400 entries for the Bream Flower Show on Saturday (August 17) with more than 200 each in the growing and craft classes.

There were 204 entries in the flower and vegetable classes and 217 in the handicraft, preserves, baking, photography and children’s classes which was well up on last year.

The high number of gardening entries came despite a challenging season for the growers.

Show secretary Helen Esplin said: “This show is in its 154th year and as a gardening club we are determined to keep going while other local clubs and shows are disappearing.

“It’s only because of the great team of members and helpers that the show is a success – and of course our many competitors who come from the Forest and beyond.

“It was lovely to see some new faces entering the show and the delight they had in winning a place.”

The top grower was Bream gardener Graham Vaughan who won six of the vegetable trophies and the coveted Banksian medal which is awarded by the Royal Horticultural Society.

In the school exhibit class, Bream C of E School had an impressive dragon-themed display but were pipped to the post by Ellwood School who showed a magnificent wheelbarrow of mixed flowers grown from seeds and a seaside scene of clay shells and cardboard ice-cream vans.

They won the Gerald Dowle Shield as well as £25 which they intend to buy more gardening equipment with.

Koby Vaughan, aged five, and Bethan Rees, aged 13, both won their classes for the largest onion, with Benjamin Heywood, aged five, coming second.

Helen Esplin said: “We hope that they are our gardeners of the future! We aim to keep the show a mixture of traditional craft as well as introducing new classes to keep up to date and interesting.

“This year we had wonderful entries in the bug box class”. The prizes were presented by local businessman and principal sponsor of this year’s show, Mr Bill Parker.

Cup winners

THE Royal Horticultural Society Banksian Medal for the most prize money in the horticultural classes, Graham Vaughan. Len Preest Cup for six vegetables Graham Vaughan. H S Thomas Cup for most points in vegetable classes, Graham Vaughan. Mr Harrison Cup for most points in vegetable classes by a local exhibitor, Janice Dunn. Don Johns Cup for heaviest cabbage, Mark Baker. Fred Wilce Cup for potatoes, Graham Vaughan. Granny Jones Cup for four vegetables, Graham Vaughan. Gerald Vaughan Cup for a collection of onions, potatoes and beans, Graham Vaughan. Butters Cup for a rose Elizabeth Baker. Brookes Cup for sweet peas, John Mayo Jones Cup for pot plants, Elizabeth Baker. Miss Newall Cup for herbs, Kathryn Gardner. Bream Horticulture Society Cup for fuchsias, Katie Whittle. Charles Jones Cup for cut flowers, Janice Dunn. Mr Syd Martin Cup for floral exhibit, Ann Middleton. T J Watkins Cup for highest points in floral arrangement, Julie Sparkes. Alwyn Page Trophy for best floral arrangement, Julie Sparkes. Lydney and Severnside Flower Club Trophy for best use of garden plant material, Kate Rees. Aunty Mabel’s Cup for best handicraft, Susan Osborne, BHS Cup highest points in handicraft, Susan Osborne. Miss Newall Cup for highest points in domestic classes, Caroline Heyworth. Warren Ardern Cup for honey, Graham Pugh. BHS Cup of for highest points in all classes, Graham Vaughan; BHS Cup for children under nine, Benjamin Heyworth, BHS Cup for children aged between nine and 15, Bethan Rees, Gerald Dowle Shield for best school exhibit.