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Long Marston Show: cups and trophies

Posted by admin - 31/08/09 at 12:08:07 pm

The Long Marston and Puttenham Horticultural Society awarded the following cups and trophies at the August show.

• William Dean Cup (fruit and veg.) – Alan Reeves/John Rowe.
• Grace Trophy (veg. collection) – Michael Glasser/John Rowe.
• Ernest Gregory Cup (flowers) – Jeff Norwood.
• John Chapman Trophy (roses) – John North/Alan Winfield.
• Val Brash Memorial Cup (novice floral art) – Frances Farley.
• Parker Cup (floral art) – Victoria Green.
• William Huckvale Cup (domestic) – Carole Harrison.
• Katherine Severs Memorial Plate (domestic, cakes) – Rozanne Wallis.
• ‘Woman’ magazine cup (handicraft) – Margaret Kaye/Tabitha Conn.
• Frank Hopkins Trophy (art) – Debbie Chalmers.
• Sir Harry Vaisey Cup (most points, child) – Laura Edmonds.
• Sheila Wood Trophies (veg. collection, child) – Grace Kirk, Maisie Driver, Liam Skells.
• Sheila Wood Cup (veg. and flower, child) – Grace Kirk, Maisie Driver.
• Astrope Cup (photography, child) – No overall winner.
• Hales Trophy (most points, lady) – Carole Harrison.
• Alan Taylor Cup (most points, gentleman) – Jeff Norwood.

The winner of the Thomas Chapman Award for contribution to village life is to be announced later.

Diplomas in Horticulture were awarded to: John North for flowers, and three to John Rowe for root vegetables, non root vegetables and a collection of vegetables. (Good with the veg. then. Ed.)

Certificates in floral art were awarded to Victoria Green and Caroline Smith-Wright.

Novice awards were earned by Alena Murrell and Phoebe Galloway

Marston village show by David Severs

Posted by admin - 31/08/09 at 12:08:19 pm

ONCE again we thanked the weather gods as the rain that blighted the afternoon of the 1st August for so many was absent from Long Marston for the duration of the annual village show, the heavens only deciding to open as the afternoon’s proceedings drew to a close with the auction of items left in the show hall. Even this was not thwarted with show goers biding enthusiastically from the relative comfort of the marquee on the field. Earlier the crowds were entertained with music from Reflections and the traditional children’s games in the arena. Most stall holders reported that they had had a good afternoon and commented on what a lovely show it was to attend. Unfortunately the operators of the penny arcade and the megaslide were unable to come because of the forecast of inclement weather. Fingers crossed they will be able to make it next year.

A word of thanks is due to all those who helped with staging the show. A lot of hard work goes in over the three days which is made easier by the volunteer help that we receive to haul stuff around and erect and dismantle the various awnings, gazeebos, bunting, tables, etc. that make up the fabric of the event and those that spend their afternoon selling raffle tickets, tombola, flipping burgers and so forth. Thanks to all that contributed their time and effort.

A brave attempt fails – so a village shop closes

Posted by admin - 31/08/09 at 12:08:26 pm

THE Wilstone village stores will cease trading and close its doors on Saturday 29th August at 1pm. After six months of trading, this marks the end of a valiant attempt to make the shop a viable proposition. Tim and Jenny re-opened the village shop in March and have worked hard to make a go of it, but the numbers don’t stack up and they cannot continue. We reported in our June edition that the experiment in selling newspapers had not worked, and that turnover would need to increase by 40% to make the shop pay. Although initial results were promising, sales did not improve as the months went by. Tim told Village News that he and Jenny were very sorry that their plans for the shop had not worked out, and that regular customers would be disappointed. He said: “We have enjoyed being in Wilstone. We have met and made friends with many people in the village and surrounding area and they have been valued customers of the shop. With great regret we have taken the decision, none too lightly or easily, to close the shop for financial reasons. Thank you to all our customers, and we wish them all the best for the future.” Although there were regular customers for the shop, it would appear there were not enough of them for a chance of success.

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