Everyone’s a winner in heat-defying bumper Village Show
PRIZE GUYS: All the winners from this year’s show.
Despite this year’s heatwaves, local growers produced some of the best vegetables and flowers seen on display at the annual Village Show.
Judges were impressed with the standard of entries, particularly in the junior and baking categories. There was high praise, too, for art, preserves and photography exhibits.
KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY: Cuckfield Mayor Alan Carter rewards Vicky Cockram (Best in Craft) and her daughter, Olivia (Best Junior)
Cuckfield Mayor, Alan Carter, presented the cups and trophies to the winners. The title Best in Show went to Andrew Keiller. It was a mum and daughter success for Olivia and Vicky Cochran, who won best junior and best in craft respectively.
There were concerns by Show organisers that the extreme weather might see a poor turnout in the horticultural classes. A surge of late entries meant it was one of the best supported shows in recent times as people waited to the last possible moment to pick and display their finest produce.
Bakers were out in force, cooking up some wonderful cakes, tarts and biscuits. Crafters excelled in knitting, woodwork and a new class, origami.
For the first time community groups were recognised and the Emma Gosling Cup , in memory of Emma who sadly died last year, was presented to the Jubilee Toppers.
They knit and crochet the wonderful displays we see regularly on the top of our village post boxes. Evelyn Stenning accepted the trophy on behalf of the team from Emma’s husband, Bob who told her how much joy their work brought to so many people.
LEADING LIGHT: Andrew Kieller receives his Best in Show trophy from the Mayor after amassing most points from his entries.
The Village Show, now in its 20th year, is organised by Cuckfield Society members Susan Osborne, Jill White, Annie Rees, Sue Parsons, Tina Heath, Marie Dormer and Angela Kyle.
Special thanks must go to estate agent Marcus Grimes who provided the advertising boards, and printers Lemonade, of Burgess Hill, who stepped in to produce the show guides free of charge. Society President Stephen Cockburn, who opened the show, told visitors and exhibitors how much he enjoyed walking round the various stalls to see for himself the entries and meet some of those who were taking part.
“It never ceases to amaze me just how talented our village is,” he said. “What is so special is that this is a show open to all ages and with a variety of classes there’s something for everyone. How lucky we are to live in Cuckfield.”
TOP JOB: Evelyn Stenning, representing the Jubilee Toppers, receives the Emma Gosling Memorial Cup from Emma’s husband, Bob.
Chairman of The Cuckfield Society, Giles King, left, with the Mayor and Society President Stephen Cockburn.
LADIES WHO LUNCH: Annie Rees, front centre, with the Show catering team.
