Flower and Produce Show 2016
East Garston Flower & Produce Show Report,
Sunday 4th September 2016
Winners all round in East Garston.
There were many very worthy winners at this year’s annual Flower and Produce Show staged by the East Garston Allotment Association on Sunday.
Despite what everyone agreed was a terrible growing season this year, the quality of vegetable and flower entries was remarkably high, however the special Vegetable Disaster Class produced some amazing specimens. The cakes, breads and jams were up to their usual high standard, and the children’s classes were well supported with miniature gardens, art, and promise of a real challenge to the adults with some of the excellent baking entries.
To tickle the taste buds even more, Ollie Shute, a keen Allotment member and co-founder of The Wild Fork catering company, gave an enthralling cookery demonstration featuring Beetroot and Wood Pigeon (with a mouth-watering way of dealing with these particular allotment pests!) as well as provided the gourmet burgers that sold out within minutes.
Creativity came to the fore with the Children’s Fancy Dress Parade producing such entries as Broccoli, Bunches of Grapes, and Strawberries. A new class this year was Photography, which unearthed some seriously talented local photographers exhibiting, in particular, some remarkable wildlife shots.
Finally, no Show would be complete without its very own star auctioneer (and Racing Trainer!) Pat Murphy, who managed to sell every last bit of the all the produce whilst at the same time providing some hilarious entertainment.
Watch out for next year’s Show.
Martyn Wright