Despite the poor weather this year, there were an impressive 188 entries for Chepstow Gardening Club’s 31st Annual Show.

The show was opened by Chepstow’s Mayor, David Dovey, who praised everyone for their efforts in putting on the show and spoke about how important this type of event was for pulling communities together. He went on to say that it was also good to see all ages represented at the event – especially the children, who were able to see how food was produced and that vegetables don’t always come out of trays in the supermarket.

Councillor Dovey then presented the awards to the main section winners.  MAYOR’S CUP (Best exhibit in section 2) Frances Buzza, GARDEN CLUB TROPHY (Best exhibit section 3 or 4) Barbara Ann Kemp, MIKE DOBBS SHIELD (Best exhibit section 1) J Hoare, KELLY SHIELD (Most combined points section 1 & 2) Norman Chamberlain, SUE ROBERTS TROPHY (Most combined points section 3 & 4) J Bolas, BEST EXHIBIT IN SHOW SALVER R Bradley (Collection of soft fruit) SECTION 1 (VEGETABLES) 5 Potatoes (salad): N Chamberlain, R Diamond 5 Potatoes (other): N Chamberlain, R Bradley, D Bottomley 3 Carrots: N Chamberlain, R Bradley, J Hoare  9 Shallots (culinary): N Chamberlain, A Smith, R Bradley 9 Shallots (pickling): A Smith, R Bradley, N Chamberlain 3 Onions from set: N Chamberlain, D Garbutt 3 Onions from seed: J Hoare, N Chamberlain, D Bottomley 3 Globe Beets: R Bradley, N Chamberlain 6 Runner Beans: R Bradley, D Bottomley, R Diamond  6 French Beans: N Chamberlain, R Diamond, A Smith  5 Tomatoes (red): B Cherrington, R Bradley, B Thomas 5 Tomatoes (other colours): R Dally, B Thomas 5 Tomatoes (cherry): R Diamond, B Cherrington, N Chamberlain 2 Courgettes: N Chamberlain, R Diamond 1 Lettuce: D Garbutt, N Chamberlain Collection of Herbs: N Chamerlain, R Diamond, S Golding Collection of Home Grown Fruit:  R Bradley Any Other Vegetable: N Chamberlain, A Smith, R Diamond Pair of Marrows: R Bradley, N Chamberlain, A Smith Longest Runner Bean: R Dally, R Bradley, N Chamberlain: Largest Potato: S Bottomley, D Bottomley, J Golding Largest Onion: D Hoare, D Bottomley, S Bottomley Vegetable Section Cup :  Norman Chamberlain Runner Up: Roy Bradley Certificates of Merit:  Janet Hoare, B Cherrington    SECTION 2 (FLOWERS) 6 Sweet peas: N Chamberlain, R Dally 3 Gladioli: F Buzza, R Dally, N Chamberlain, 4 Dahlias: R Bradley, R Dally, R Morgan 1 Specimin Dahlia: R Morgan, N Chamberlain, R Diamond 1 Specimin Rose: R Bradley, N. Chamberlain 5 Marigolds: J Hoare, N Chamberlain Vase of Annuals: N Chamberlain, R Diamond 5 Stems of Flowers: M Bevan, J Hoare, N Chamberlain Pot Plant in Bloom: N Chamberlain, R Dally Pot Plant Foliage: N Chamberlain, D Carbutt Cactus or Succulent: N Chamberlain, R Dally 1 Specimin Gladiolus: J Hoare, D Bottomley, R Dally.  Flower Section Cup:  Norman Chamberlain Runner Up:  R Dally  Certificates of Merit : N Chamberlain, F. Buzza   SECTION 3 (FLOWER ARRANGING)  Arrangement of Yellow Flowers:  J Bolas, J Hoare Arrangement in a Picture Frame: J Bolas, J Hoare Dining Table Centrepiece: J Bolas, J Hoare A Miniature Arrangement: J Bolas, J Hoare A Gentleman’s Buttonhole: J Hoare, R Dally, J Bolas A Lady’s Corsage: J Hoare, J Bolas  Flower Arranging Section Cup: J Bolas Runner Up: J Hoare Certificate of Merit: J Hoare   SECTION 4 ( PRESERVES AND COOKING) Victoria Sandwich: P Jones, J Bolas, N Chamberlain Gingerbread: J Bolas, J Hoare, N Chamberlain Cherry Cake: N Chamberlain, J Hoare 5 Welsh Cakes: J Hoare, B Kemp, M Thomas Mixed Fruit Cake: C Bottomley, J Bolas, N Chamberlain Savory Flan: N Chamberlain Bara Brith: P Jones, M Thomas, J Hoare Jar of Marmalade: N Chamberlain Jar of Chutney: J Purvis, J Bolas, M Bevan Jar of Jam: N Chamberlain, J Purvis, M Bevan Jar of Jelly: R Diamond, N Chamberlain Fruit Tart: J Bolas, J Hoare, N Chamberlain 5 Jam Tarts: C Bottomley, N Chamberlain, J Hoare Your Favorite Recipe: B Kemp, N Chamberlain, S Golding  Cookery Section Cup: N Chamberlain Runner Up: J Bolas  Certificates of Merit: C Bottomley, Norman Chamberlain   SECTION 5 (HOBBIES) Hard Craft: D Newberry, S Golding, N Chamberlain; Soft Craft: P Jones, Photography: N Chamberlain, S Bottomley, D Garbutt; Children’s Craft (10-16 years) G Martin, C Golding; Children’s Craft (Under 10) D Golding, A Golding; Certificate of Merit: N Chamberlain