BUDDING bakers cooked up a storm for this year’s Cotherstone Village Show.
While growers struggled to produce tip-top flowers and vegetables in the face of this summer’s two heat waves, organisers described interest in the baking section as “massive” .
The photographic and children’s sections were also extremely popular.
Secretary Pippa Leech said: “We had a show last year after Covid and this year’s is just as popular.
“It’s a good show and all classes were well supported. People struggled with the veg and flowers due to the weather, but the kids entries are amazing and the photography has been fab.”
Show regular Mike Hedley scooped the cups for best exhibit in flowers with his three spikes of gladioli and best exhibit in vegetables with his collection of four different varieties.
Miriam Higgins has been visiting the show for the past two decades but only taking part for the last two years and won the trophy for best exhibit in home produce with her gooseberry jelly.
“I do a lot of baking at home and I find it very therapeutic,” she said.
Peter Kirkham was delighted to pick up the prize for best exhibit in art and handicrafts with his handwoven mother and daughter wrap and scarf having only recently tried his hand at weaving.
“I always fancied doing it. Setting up takes the time, not the actual weaving,” he said.
He also took the prize for turning a pre-loved item into something new with his library step stool made from an old wooden toilet seat.
“I have always done woodworking since I was quite small – this is my main hobby,” he said.
Amanda Sharp proved she had a good eye for a photo, winning the Cotherstone Plate for her snap of friend Richard Green dressed up to celebrate the Queen’s jubilee.
She described the photo as a “happy accident” .
She said: “I am always taking pictures with my mobile and did a few that day – it was just that photo at that moment.
“He had put on all this garb and looked very funny.”
In the children’s section, seven-year-old Joe Coulson took top spot with his aquarium in a box.
Trophy winners
Tankard, three onions from seed, Ramsay Cup for four kidney potatoes, Bill Nixon Rose Bowl for four tomatoes, Lathbury Cup for six pods of green peas, Nan Hamilton Memorial Vase for three spikes of gladioli, Trevor Darke Award for one vase of three large dahlias, Oughtred Wodencroft Trophy for one vase of seven dahlias, Tankard for three spray chrysanthemums, Bellwood and Hinchcliffe Trophy for flowering pot plant, Joe Watson Shield for most points in vegetables, Frank and Olwen Bainbridge Plate for most points in flowers, Harry and Dorothy Siswick Shield for best exhibit in vegetables, Jim and Dreda Forster Perpetual Trophy for best exhibit in flowers: Michael Hedley.
Julia Whitburn Cup for six pods of runner beans: John Tyler; A Thorn Shield for two round beetroot: Barry Watson; WS Hodgson & Co Shield for any vegetable not on schedule: Suzy Hunt; Coronation Cup for one vase of mixed flowers: David Atkinson; Wilf Raine Cup for a vase of seven sweet peas: Richard Hunter; Lingford Cup for four asters: Dot Hedley; Peggy Nixon Rosebowl for three roses: Judith Brown; Rose Bowl for single rose: Robert Johnson.
WI Cup for marmalade: Claire Williams; Whitburn Trophy for four cheese scones: Helen Rowell; Ladies Cup for chocolate cake: Mary Matthews; Gentleman’s Cup for lemon drizzle loaf: Jerry McGill; Hannah Iceton Rose Bowl for victoria sandwich: Jenny Watson.
Cotherstone Plate for photography – jubilee fun/village celebrations, Mrs EM Thomas Cup for best flower arrangement on the theme “teatime” : Amanda Sharp.
Teesdale Cup for photography “village characters” : Brenda Thwaites; Robert Johnson Memorial Trophy for photography “natural world” : Peter Wilcox; Nancy Pleasants Trophy for most points in home produce, Dorothy and Allen Christon Vase for best exhibit in home produce: Miriam Higgins.
Glen View Bowl for most points in photography, Weatherby House Bowl for best exhibit in photography: Susan Addison.
Lancelands Challenge Cup for most points in children’s classes: Josie Green. Kennedy Trophy for best exhibit in children’s classes: Joe Coulson.
Kelvin Thompson Cup for best exhibit in art and handicrafts: Peter Kirkham.
Secretary’s Cup for best exhibit in show: Amanda Sharp for her flower arrangement “teatime” .
