‘Amazing’ Mickleton Gardening Club annual show attracts a record number of entrants
Stratford-upon-Avon Herald, by Lise Evans
​
WONKY fruit and vegetable was just one of the many classes to be entered in the flower, produce and handicraft show organised by Mickleton Gardening Club on Saturday, 26th August.
​
The annual extravaganza of home-grown produce, flowers, preserves, cookery, handicrafts, art and photography attracted a record number of entrants at King George’s Hall, according to organisers.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
In amongst the sea of colour at the Mickleton Garden Club annual flower, produce and handicraft show at King George’s Hall on Saturday, 26th August were committee members Cathy Frances, Diane Smith, Caroline Byrne, Ginny Eves, Harriet Wood. Photo: Mark Williamson
​
Chair Cathy Frances said: “The show was amazing. It’s the sort of the traditional show you get in Midsomer Murders but without the murders.
​
“We had over double the entries compared to last year with well over 400 and fifty per cent more people competing. We’ve bounced back from the pandemic, bigger and better than before .
“We had a lot of children enter too this year, it’s really nice to have youngsters joining in as well.”
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
June Haycock was pictured taking a closer look at this decorative wreath by Katarzyna Kielce which took first prize at the Mickleton Garden Club annual flower, produce and gardening show on Saturday, 26th August. Photo: Mark Williamson
​
Over ten classes were awarded with silverware and the title of best wonky vegetable went to seven-year-old Theodora Harrison from Evesham with her alien-shaped carrot.
The flourishing club, which has been going since 1980, attracts gardening enthusiasts from Stratford to Evesham and all the surrounding villages. Cathy added: More people came to our January meeting and signed up as members than for the whole of 2022.”
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Reggie Dean, aged four, was found taking a closer look at the Mickleton Challenge silver salver plate at the Mickleton Garden Club annual flower, produce and handicraft show on Saturday, 26th August. Photo: Mark Williamson
​
This year BBC Radio 4 Gardeners Question Time recorded two programmes with the group at Cidermill Theatre, Chipping Campden School that were broadcast in June 2023.
​
The Club meets at King George’s Hall on the third Wednesday of every month.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Winner of the wonky vegetable class was seven-year-old Theodora Harrison from Evesham with her alien-shaped carrot.
There were over 400 entries in this year's Show - over double the number last year - and 50% more people entered. Not only were the regional judges impressed by the number of entries, but also said the quality was outstanding, and this made their job quite difficult. (Hence they adhered strictly to the schedule requirements of size, number, etc.)
​
See LOTS more photos sent in by members on the Show Gallery 2023 page.
2023 Annual Flower, Produce and
Handicraft Show
​
There were over 400 entries in this year's Show - over double the number last year - and 50% more people entered. Not only were the regional judges impressed by the number of entries, but also said the quality was outstanding, and this made their job quite difficult. (Hence they adhered strictly to the schedule requirements of size, number, etc.)
