Holder of five cups, 15 medals and numerous certificates, Mr. Charles H. Steele, a decorator, of Barkham, was awarded the "Williamson" trophy for obtaining the largest aggregate of points in the flower section at the Newland, Arborfield and Barkham Cottage Garden Society’s annual show on Saturday.

This is the fifth consecutive year Mr. Steele has won this trophy, and every year during the 14 years he has been exhibiting at this show he has carried off a number of prizes.

Although heavy rain fell during the morning, the weather cleared up by the afternoon, and the gymkhana and other open-air events were not interfered with.

The show took place in a field at Targett’s Farm, Arborfield, by permission of Mr. Charles B. Crocker. Despite the difficulties which have confronted gardeners this year owing to the abnormal weather conditions, the number of entries compared favourably with previous years, and the quality of the exhibits in the majority of classes was above standard.

The judges commented on the excellent quality of the fruit, and also spoke highly of the peas, shallots and apples. Undoubtedly, a feature of the horticultural tent was the display of carnations grown by the Arborfield Nurseries, Ltd. These were not for competition.

A feature of the show was the gymkhana and fancy dress parades, which took place during the afternoon. Particularly interesting was the New Newlands Zoo, a fancy dress burlesque, presented by members of the household and staff of Newlands, the residence of Major J. H. Simonds.

'Mercury' Photos (with acknowledgements):

(left)

Sheila and John Phillips, of Basingstoke, who between them won three prizes.

(right)

Mrs Tanner, Master McCreery and Miss Hillborne.

Officials of the show were: President, Mrs. Williamson; hon. secretary, W. J. Verrall; hon. treasurer, A. Barker; committee: W. C. Grant (chairman), M. Goddard (vice-chairman), Messrs. P. Ayres, S. Bennett, A. J. Bentley, S. G. Bentley, F. Barker, T. J. Chitty, E. Cordery, A. Couling, J. Druett, G. Eades, A. Edwards, F. Edwards, E. Gibbard, W. Hayward, J. Hunt, A. B. Inglis, A. F. Jones, B. Kent, A. Lyford, E. Love, A. Martin, F. Middleton, W. F. Middleton, B. C. Silver, C. H. Steele, and Capt. F. Speller;
Ladies’ Committee, Mesdames Anderson, A. J. Bentley, S. G. Bentley, M. Chitty, K. Couling, F. Druett, B. Druett, D. Druett, A. Flower, V. Grant, Hunt, Inglis, Jones, Kent, F. Middleton, Scott and A. Smith.

Cottagers’ Classes:

Collection of vegetables: 1. E. Cordery.
Dwarf beans: 1, E. J. Middleton; 2, W. Streak.
Runner beans: 1, E. Cordery; 2, P. Ayres; 3, J. Druett.
Beet: 1, A. Edwards; 2, C. H. Steele, 3, E. J. Middleon; 4, B. Kent.
Cabbage: 1, C. H. Steele; 2, E. J. Middleton.
Long carrots: 1, E. Cordery; 2, W. Scott; 3, B. Kent.
Lettuce: 1, E. Cordery; 2, E. J. Middleton; 3, B. Kent.
Onions: 1, W. Streak; 2, P. Ayres; 3, E. Cordery.
Peas: 1, C. H. Stub; 2, W. Streak; 3, E. Cordery.
Potatoes, white, kidney: 1, E. Cordery; 2, W. Scott; 3, B. Kent.
Potatoes, white, round: 1, W. Scott; 2, E. Cordery; 3, A. Edwards.
Potatoes, coloured: 1, W. Scott; 2, E. Cordery.
Rhubarb: 1, E. Cordery; 2, A. Edwards.
Shallots: 1, P. Ayres; 2, W. Streak; 3, E. Cordery.
Vegetable Marrow: 1, E. J. Middleton; 2, E. Cordery; 3, B. Kent.
Collection of herbs: 2, E. Cordery.

Flowers:

Fruit:

Apples, culinary: 1, W. C. Grant; 2, C. H. Steele; 3, Mrs. J. Hunt.
Apples, dessert: 1, C. H. Steele; 2, A. Edwards; 3, E. Cordery.
Gooseberries, white: 1, W. Scott; 2, W. Streak; 3, R. Middleton, senior.
Gooseberries, red: 1, W. Streak; 2, A. Edwards; 3, E. Cordery.
Dishes of fruits: 1, A. Edwards; 2, C. H. Steele; 3, B. Kent.
Plums: 1, C. H. Steele; 2, Mrs. McDonald; 3, E. Cordery.

Division "B":

Collection of vegetables: 1, R. Middleton, senior.
Runner beans: 1, F. M. Barker; 2, F. Middleton; 3, E. Love.
Beet: 1, R. Middleton, senior; 2, F. M. Barker; 3, A. H. Brant.
Carrots: 1, R. Middleton, senior; 2, E. Love; 3, A. H. Brant.
Lettuce: 1, R. Middleton, senior; 2, F. M. Barker.
Onions: 1, F. Middleton; 2, T. Bennett.
Peas: 1, F. M. Barker; 2, P. T. Slade; 3, R. Middleton, senior.
Potatoes, kidney: 1, F. Middleton; 2, E. Gibbard; 3, F. M. Barker.
Potatoes, round: 1, F. M. Barker; 2, E. Gibbard; 3, R. Middleton, senior.
Shallots: 1, R. Middleton, senior; 2, F. M. Barker; 3, F. Middleton.
Marrows: 1, R. Middleton; 2, J. Brant.
Vase of garden flowers: 1, F. M. Barker; 2, R. Middleton, senior.

Domestic Classes:

Potatoes, peeled and boiled: 1, Mrs. R. Middleton, senior; 2, Miss V. Love; 3, Miss E. Gibbard.
Baked Custard: 1, Mrs. F. Middleton; 2, Mrs. F. M. Barker; 3, Mrs. R. Middleton.
Home-made jam: 1, Mrs. P. T. Slade; 2, Mrs. A. Edwards; 3, Mrs. F. Middleton.
Home-made seed cake: 1, Mrs. A. Smith; 2, Mrs. R. Middleton, senior; 3, Mrs. Flower.
Home-made fruit cake: 1, Mrs. A. Smith; 2, Mrs. F. Middleton; Mrs. E. Gibbard.
Sausage rolls: 1, Mrs. F. Middleton; 2, Mrs. Flower; 3, Mrs. Luxton.
Ginger cake: 1, Mrs. R. Middleton, senior; 2, Mrs. Flower; 3, Mrs. Luxton.
Brown eggs: 1, E. Cordery; 2, G. Luxton; 3, C. H. Steele.
White eggs: 1, C. H. Steele; 2, R. Middleton, senior; 3, E. Cordery.
Tinted eggs: 1, E. Cordery; 2, C. H. Steele.
Trussed fowl: 1, G. Luxton; 2, R. Middleton, senior.

Needlework:

Child’s hand-made frock: 2, Mrs. F. Middleton.
Lady’s machine-made summer dress: 1, Mrs. Flower; 2, Mrs. B. Kent.
Knitted cardigan or jumper: 2, Mrs. Capper.

Children’s Classes:

Bouquet of wild flowers, over 10: 1, P. Hornby; 2, J. Hall; 3, L. Barker.
Bouquet of wild flowers, under 10: 1, Jean Cordery; 2, C. Cogbill; 3, J. Cogbill.
Pen and ink or pencil drawing: 1, L. Barker; 2, C. Couling; 3, J. Herbert and John Cordery.
Drawing in colour, senior: 1, John Cordery; 2, L. Barker; 3, J. Henn.
Drawing in colour, junior: 1, N. Sherring; 2, L. Warner; 3, J. S. Andrews.
Construction drawing: 2, C. Hunt; 3, E. Thomson.
Models: 1, V. Salisbury; 2, C. Hunt; 3, E. Thomson.

Members’ Classes:

Table decoration, Ladies: 1, Mrs. Scott; 2, Miss E. L. Bentley; 3, Miss M. Simonds.
Bowl of garden flowers, gentlemen: 1, J. Hunt; 2, W. C. Grant; 3, S. G. Bentley.
Stools of cord and seagrass: 1, W. Barker and J. Cordery; 2, E. Thomson and J. Harding; 3, F. Culley and R. Bush.

A silver medal awarded by "The Smallholder" for the largest aggregate of points in the show was won by Mr. E. Cordery.

Gymkhana Results:

Best child’s pony (not exceeding 14.3 hands): 1, Douglas Phillips, Tinker Bell; 2, Joe Weatherill, Beverly Brook; 3, Miss A. Dixon, Sunshine.
Best child’s pony (not exceeding 13.2 hands): 1, Miss P. Dixon, Jupiter; 2, R. McCreery, Red Cherry; 3, J. McCreery, Silvertail.
Jumping: 1, Douglas Phillips, Tic Tac; 2, Denis Magill, Valentino; 3, Ivan Guinness.
Best small dog: 1, Mrs. Tanner; 2, Mrs. McCreery.
Best conditioned dog: 1, Mrs. Hedges; 2, Mrs. Spiller.
Surprise event: 1, Mr. R. Spiller; 2, Mrs. Horne; 3, Mrs. Hatcher.
Musical chairs on horseback: 1, Miss A. Jacob; 2, Miss S. Phillips; 3, Richard Foy; 4, Miss A. Dixon.
Apple bobbing on horseback: 1, Miss B. Simonds; 2, Miss P. Guinness; 3, David Lewis; 4, John Phillips.
Fancy dress parade: 1, Miss Stiles; 2, J. G. Hodges; 3, K. McCreery.
Bicycle fancy dress: 1, Master Lyford; 2, Miss Magill and Miss Simonds; 3, Mrs. Laurence and Miss Keene.