Crowds queue for produce show

Instead, the society had to turn to Bexhill Leisure Centre, a move which entailed extra costs.

Would the society's supporters remain faithful? Their custom was vital if the society was not to lose money.

Though the show is likely to lose a little cash, overall the chairman need not have worried.

With 450 entries, the show nicely filled its allotted half of the centre's huge sports hall.

"I think the change of venue has been very successful!" said a beaming chairman last Wednesday.

"We like the pavilion. What I was concerned about was that people would come to this venue. If we hadn't got the people in it would have left a big hole in our finances. We rely on the cake stall and the tombola to boost our funds.

"At the pavilion, the tables are provided - and they put them up and take them down for us. This year we have had to bring them in."

Dick enlisted the help of his 18 year-old grandson Kurt. Kurt, serving with the 1st Batallion The Parachute Regiment at Dover, brought along REME colleague Alistair Byrne and the pair added useful brawn in setting-up and dismantling the show..

Overall, entries for this year's show were up.

Dick said: "The domestic is up. The children's section is definitely up. I doubt whether the vegetable section is up. It's been so hot. This morning when they brought them in the fruit and vegetable entries looked great. But by now (just after opening) they are already beginning to droop in the heat."

The floral arrangement section was dominated by some highly patriotic entries on a Coronation theme, topped by Di Whitworth's red, white and blue creation.

The children's class for a "picture of Bexhill" brought some colourful paintings.

The vegetable classes were judged by Francis Brown and Basil Collins, the flowers by Ken Waller and Doug March, the domestic by Pat Smith and Caroline Sanders and the handicraft and children's classes by Thelma Nance.

Results:

Top Tray Competition (Garden News): Gold, B.J. Hillier; Silver, J. Pitman; Bronze, B. Croft. Top Vase: Gold, I. Luck; Silver,J. Pitman; Bronze, J. Moss. President's Cup, best exhibit: domestic section, Mrs M. Hitchcock; vegetable section, B.J. Hillier; flower section, J. Pitman; handicraft section, Mrs P. Easton.

Peskett Memorial Cup, most prizes in show, B.J. Hillier; K. Young Cup, best exhibit in Class 2, B.J. Hillier; S. Marshall Cup, Best Exhibit in Class 3, B. Croft; D. Strevens Cup, best exhibit in Class 14, B.J. Hillier; R. Gunner Cup, best exhibit in Class 19, J. Pitman; Alexander Trophy, highest total points in Classes 3-39, B.J. Hillier; W.G. Sansom Cup, runner-up, Classes 3-29, J. Pitman; Woodworkers' Trophy, best exhibit in Class 30, B.J. Hillier; F. Sharp Cup, best exhibit it Class 35 or 35a, J. Townsend; Tunbridge Trophy, highest total points husband and wife, Mr and Mrs Moss; Standbridge Trophy, highest total points in classes 52-58, Mrs Moss; Domestic Trophy, highest total points in Classes 59-68, Mrs Moss; M. Fuller Cup, best exhibit in Class 62, Mrs R. Storer; C. Kenward Cup, best exhibit in dahlia classes 76-79, I. Luck; D. Groves Flower Bowl, best exhibit in Class 83, Mrs D. Whitworth; Society's Cup, highest total points in Classes 69-86, J. Pitman

Children's Cups:

Stan Howe Cup, highest total points in Classes 87-89, Nicola Robards; Junior Cup, highest total points in Classes 40-44, Jack Brockhurst; Senior Cup, highest total points in Classes 45-49, Clare Brockhurst.