Show proves a bloomin’ success

ORGANISERS of this year's Orwell Show have seen the event as a great success.

And it was believed to be down to the expertise of the hard-working committee and the injection of life from the younger generation.

The Orwell and District Horticultural Society committee organised the traditional show while other events were run in and around a central arena.

Alexander Reid, in the guise of Richard the Lionheart for the Orwell Royal fancy dress competition, co-ordinated the arena events with compere Dave Ferrier not being lost for words.

Winner of the children's fancy dress was Eve Whittaker and the adult class winners were Wayne Talbot and his partner Rachel Bendefy, who arrived as Henry VIII and Catherine Parr

The event included displays from the rescue dogs of the Wrayfield Dog Agility Club and vintage vehicles from the Peterborough Vintage Cycles Club.

The day, however, centred around the horticultural show with a large marquee packed with the produce of gardeners and cooks, artists and photographers.

Society press officer Sue Miller said: "The standard of produce was surprisingly high, despite the past dry summer."

Fred Richardson, from Biggleswade, was the show champion winning five of the society's trophies. Christine Harland won the home produce section and Bryn Davies was junior champion.

Julie Kershaw won the society's Photographic Trophy for the most points in the photographic section.

The companion dog show organised by Orwell St Bernard breeder Michael Braysher and judged by Pat Fordyce-Dyke attracted 47 competitors.

Best in the show was Radley, Becky Smith's two-year-old whippet. Lanie Wierny's petit basset, Griffon Vendeen Dasher, was reserve best in show.

H Hayden's dachshund Betsy was best puppy and Vivien Constable's six-year-old lurcher Merlin was judge Best Orwell Dog.

Bob, owned by E Hedderson, of Coton, was the dog the judge would like to home.