9:05am Thursday 2nd October 2008
By David Jeffels
THE poor summer failed to dampen the quality and number of entries at Saturday’s Kirkbymoorside Horticultural Society Show at the Memorial Hall.
But while the tables were full of spectacular blooms and giant vegetables, the big disappointment was the lack of local gardeners competing, said secretary, Jill Hugill.
“I don’t know why they don’t take part because we have done our best to encourage them and I know we have some good gardeners in Kirkbymoorside, especially in the allotment association.”
However, keen interest from the town’s community primary school gave the show organisers hope for its future.
Mrs Hugill said: “The children’s entries were excellent and there were a lot of them. The teachers really encourage the children to take part and we are very grateful to them.”
Entries in the photography classes were also high, and overall the show’s line-up of competitors and entries matched years when the summer has seen better weather, said Mrs Hugill, who has been the secretary for all of the show’s 28 years.
The show evolved out of the former Kirkbymoorside carnival which folded many years ago, but there was still interest to keep an annual show going. Over the years, the show has attracted keen gardeners from a wide area to take part, said Mrs Hugill, herself a life-long gardening enthusiast.
One of the star exhibitors this year was Stewart Blacklock of Pickering who produced 30 entries in the horticultural classes. There was also support from the Farndale area.
“We are hoping our local gardeners will come on board next year,” added Mrs Hugill.
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