THERE was a huge turnout for the 72nd Great Comberton Flower Show in the idyllic setting of Brailles Orchard.

The show, which took place last month, proved as popular as ever and was a great village occasion. Blessed with fine weather, a wonderful afternoon of late summer fun was enjoyed by everyone who attended.

The show was opened by the Pershore Plum Queen and princesses who judged the waggiest tail and awarded the prize to the winner of the children's fancy dress, Edward Harrison dressed as a shepherd. The Classic Vehicle was won by a Red International tractor owned by Phil Archer and the Classic Car by a stunning Lagonda.

There was a high quality field for the first ever running of the National Plum Jerkum Competition. Bill Graham won the tankard, kindly donated by Pershore Plum Festival, beating the other 11 entrants. He kindly offered his winning bottle for auction at the end of the show.

The centrepiece was the main marquee packed with fruit, vegetables, flowers, wine, cookery, photography, crafts, floral art and children’s classes and novelty classes. The organisers were delighted with the increase in entries to 816, with many children and adults exhibiting for the first time. The standard of produce was extremely high given the hot summer.

Challenge cups were awarded as follows; Great Comberton Cup for the highest number of points in Show - Pete Chamberlain; Brookes Cup for the highest number of points by a Great or Little Comberton resident - Suzanne Hamilton; Children’s Cup - Sophie Alexander. Section cups were won by Molly Evans (5 & under), Violet Haynes (6 & under), George Collett and Monty Green (8 & under), Abigail Firkens (teen's cup), Pete Chamberlain (Fruit), Allen Young (Vegetables), Steff Le Marechal (Flowers), Jo Irons (Cookery), Steff Le Marechal (Decorative Flowers), Jackie Upton (Art and Crafts) and Andrew Bottomley (Wines).

Visitors were entertained by the tunnel of temptation for dogs, plank-plodding races and the egg throwing competition. There were lots of happy children who had visited the face painters and sculptured balloon. This year’s show theme of Down on the Farm was taken to heart by the villagers with themed show classes, scarecrows, stunning floral art, photographs, a vintage tractor display and very popular welly wanging. All the stall holders wore fancy dress and decorated their stalls

The afternoon ended with the annual auction with many visitors staying to bid for fruit, vegetables, flowers and produce.

Suzanne Hamilton, Flower Show chairman, said: “We were delighted with the wonderful display of entries in the marquee. The show was bustling all afternoon with lots of people catching up. It’s such a special, traditional show and a great village community event.

"It’s our annual fundraiser for the village hall and church, plus local clubs and early indications are that we had a good result.

"Many thanks to my committee, helpers, volunteers and all our visitors who made the show such a wonderful, happy and successful show again this year. We are always thrilled to have so many loyal regular’s that make it a delightful show to visit and organise."

Plans are already being made for the 73rd show, to be held on Saturday, August 24 2019, when the show theme will be Circus. For further information and to get involved, visit theflowershow.org.uk.