On Saturday 9th July, 23 hopeful entrants placed 130 exhibits in the Summer Show. It was held by Caterham & District Horticultural Society. Visitors enjoyed the show at Hillcroft School in Caterham.

Society Chairman, Debbie Fox, won the Gardener’s Shield for the most exhibits in second place. Debbie said: "I’d like to thank all our entrants for carrying on this tradition, which started in Victorian times. Numbers of entries were hit by the cool, wet start to the summer. However, I was really pleased to see winning entries from some of our new members.”

Caterham on the Hill Parish Council sponsored a category in the Summer Show. Cllr Chris Botten presented Madeleine Cross with a small cash prize for her stunning hanging basket. The second and third prizes for hanging containers were won by Shirley Taylor and her granddaughter Lily Iles.

Other highlights in the 97 show categories included Marian Farncourt’s floral arrangement of white flowers for the R.D.L Ford Memorial Cup. The Ray and Mary Cup for the child winning most points was won by Tabitha Wren. Judges also sampled chocolate brownies and ‘my favourite dessert in a wine glass’ made by hopeful entrants.

Richard Tabor, Chairman of Surrey Horticultural Federation, visited the show. He and the judges agreed the show entries were of a good standard and that the highlight was the hanging baskets.

Top 10 cup winners:

1. Parnell Cup, for the most points in flower and vegetable classes, Joe Perera

2. Winter-Thomas Cup and a certificate of merit, for the best competitive exhibit of cut flowers or pot plants, Joe Perera (two cacti).

3. Ladies Challenge Cup, for the most points in cookery classes, joint winners Moyra Brohier and Cheryl Daly

4. Charlotte Farndell Cup, for the most points in floral arrangement classes, joint winners Marian Farncourt and Debbie Fox

5. Ray and Mary Cup, for the most points in children’s classes, Tabitha Wren

6. Gratwick Cup, for the most points in fruit classes, Dave Wayman

7. RDL Ford Memorial Cup, for an arrangement of white flowers, Marian Farncourt

8. The W Sandiford Rose Bowl, for the most points in rose classes, Maria Donohue

9. Gosden Shield, for the best vegetable exhibit, David Williams

10. Sandiford Cup, for the most points in rose classes, Maria Donohue