A DIMINISHED but nevertheless a good turnout was seen at Grassington Horticultural Society’s first annual show since 2019.

And despite Mother Nature supplying the district with near drought conditions a goodly number of competitors took to the floor to exhibit and trophy winners were delighted to take home the newly-polished cups to grace their mantlepieces.

The exceptionally hot, dry weather impacted heavily as many flowers and vegetables had passed maturity and hence the number of exhibits was well down on those presented three years ago.

But there was still plenty for visitors to see in the 53 classes covering flowers, floral arrangements, foliage pot plants, fruit and vegetables, as well as children's classes of a decorated stone and a special chairman's challenge of a sunflower head grown from seeds given out by the chairman. The highly coveted award was won by Heather Williams. J Scott and J Whitaker coming in second and third respectively.

Despite the trying conditions, Glenda Priestnall achieved quadruple success with trophies for the best vegetable, best flower arrangement and most points in flower arranging as well as overall most points in Show. Glenda was also awarded the RHS Banksian medal for this latter achievement.

Heather Williams was close on her heels as she scooped the Master Gardener trophy, the Ron Jenkins award for the best fuchsia in show to add to her chairman's challenge award.

Alison Rawlins saw double with her awards for not only the most points in the ‘Flowers’ section but also the best single flower in the show.

The Society would like to thank the Judges (V Burfitt, Flower-Arranging, S Hodgson, Flowers and R Geldard, vegetables) for their invaluable help in making the show a success.

The 2022 trophy winners are named as:

The Grassington Challenge Cup; Most points in show: Glenda Priestnall

The Harker-Leder Salver; Most points in vegetables: Karen Darwin

The Society’s Flower Trophy; Most points in flowers: Alison Rawlinson

The Society’s Floral Cup; Most points in flower arranging: Glenda Priestnall

The Jim Bell Cup; Master Gardener: Heather Williams

The David Pickles Cup; Best rose exhibit: Wendy Berrington

The Marshall Rosebowl; Best single flower: Alison Rawlinson

The Society Cup; Best vegetable exhibit: Glenda Priestnall

The Geoff Cowley Upper Wharfedale Trophy; Best Flower arrangement: Glenda Priestnall

The Ron Jenkins Award; Best Fuchsia: Heather Williams

The Chairman’s Challenge Award; Heather Williams

The RHS Banksian Medal for most points in show; Glenda Priestnall