MILNTHORPE and District Allotment Association held its 78th annual horticultural and craft show at St Thomas’ Church. Despite a small decrease in entries in flower and vegetable classes due to previous inclement weather, entries and standards in domestic, craft and floral art classes were excellent, and visitors enjoyed the displays on offer. The awards were presented by Susie Bagot, accompanied by Hal Bagot, president of the association. Esme Mason presented a bouquet of flowers to Mrs Bagot. The trophy for the best horticultural exhibit in the show was awarded to Jack Gott for his dahlias, along with five further trophies for dahlias. In addition, Jack won awards for shallots and the best vegetable exhibit. A new exhibitor, Edward Begg, won awards for onions and gaining the most points in open vegetable classes.  Other trophies were awarded as follows: Bill Stables for potatoes and gaining the most points overall in vegetable classes; David Remington for onion sets and gaining the most points in members’ vegetable classes and Brian Crayston for leeks. Among the flower classes, excluding dahlias, Anita Gott won the sweet pea certificate and trophy and Kath Craig the fuchsia award. Julie Welton won the foliage plant trophy and Ted Balmer was awarded cups for the best spike gladioli and a display of six gladioli as well as the top vase award. Fiona Cross won the rose cup and Lois Hurst and Heather Harley won cups in the floral art section. Jennifer Bateman won the trophy for gaining most points in the domestic classes and Julie Welton the trophy for the best exhibit (Victoria sponge). Jean Warren won the photographic trophy. Within the children’s classes, Sophie Jackson, Holly Jackson and Amber Mason won awards for gaining the most points in their respective age groups with Holly also winning the cup for the best miniature garden and Sophie the best vegetable animal, the best seed and berry necklace and most points in the Milnthorpe Children’s Centre classes. Amber Mason won the cup for the best six small cakes. Florence Harper won the Booths award for produce grown by under 16-year olds. The trophy for the best exhibit in the wine section was won by Jane Cushnie. Julie, Rob and Cody Smith won the best kept allotment competition and the John Coom trophy and Jayne Duxbury the best garden and floral container trophies. The Steve Hurst trophy for the tallest sunflower was won by Caitlin and Michael Mason with a 12 feet high specimen. A very pleasant afternoon concluded with an auction of produce and raffle. 

NOT to be outdone by the Tour of Britain passing through the region the day before, Milnthorpe proudly played host to a cycle tour. Rest, refreshment and toilet facilities were on offer on the Green for the hundreds of cyclists taking part in the Deloitte Ride Across Britain.

This is a 980-mile ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats. A large banner proclaimed that the participants were halfway there. This stage of the challenge took the riders from Haydock to Carlisle. Riders taking part are not professionals but amateurs, cycling to raise money for good causes. 

 

Storth...

THE next meeting of the Wednesday Club will be on Wednesday, September 25 (7.30pm) at the church. Phoebe Cook, who was supported by fundraising in the village, will give an illustrated talk on her Trek to Everest Base Camp. 

THE Repeater Band who are appearing at The Cavern Club in Liverpool, are returning to the village hall on October 5 to entertain the audience with rock music from the 50s and 60s. Tickets include a hot supper. There will be a licensed bar. Tickets from Les on 015395-63736 or Derek 01524-761878. All funds raised are for the maintenance of the village hall. 

HARP and A Monkey will be performing at the Heron Theatre, Beetham, on Saturday, September 21 (7.30pm). Also, Van Gogh and Japan will be presented as an exhibition on screen on Tuesday, September 24 (2pm). Pay at the door or book online at theherontheatre.com. Box office is open Fridays (10am-noon). 

MEMBERS of the Dallam Group of Volunteers for the Rosemere Cancer Foundation are organising two events. The annual traditional afternoon tea with musical entertainment from Arnside Ladies’ Choir will take place on October 13 (3pm) at the village hall. Tickets are available from Storth Community Shop, from Lesley on 015395-62464; Jean 01524-762529; Norma 01524-761658. Booking is essential. The next event will be a fundraising fashion show and clothes sale, again at the village hall, on October 19 (7pm). Tickets are available from Storth Village Shop or from Alison on 07516-213397. 

WEST Yorkshire Paranormal Society will be visiting Heron Corn Mill, Beetham, on September 27 (9pm-midnight) to investigate all the spooky goings-on in the mill. The group will tour the mill demonstrating how to use the special ghost-hunting equipment as they investigate any paranormal occurrences which happen along the way. Tickets can be booked by emailing info@heronmill.org or by telephoning 01539-564271. Tickets can also be purchased directly from the barn. Dress in warm clothes and to take a snack and hot drink. This event is for adults only. West Yorkshire Paranormal Society are based in Leeds and have six years-experience investigating paranormal activity at locations across the UK.