Community and creativity are recipes for contentment and the Mickleton Gardening Club Spring Show in the King George’s Hall was joyful experience on Saturday, April 14. Not only was the weather unusually glorious but many folk from the village and surrounding areas came together to provide colourful and scented exhibits in a very relaxed atmosphere. Under the watchful eyes of Barry and Ann Metcalfe village children constructed creatures from vegetables and fruit in a ‘5-a-day animal creations’ competition. There were three classes, based on age, and the results greeted visitors as they entered the Hall to view the results of the judging of the adult classes. So the event began with smiles! This was enhanced by the knowledge that the produce for the children to work with half been donated by local businesses. Lower Clopton Farm Shop , Pages Farm Shop, The village Nisa Shop and the Post Office Fresh Produce Shop all donated generously.

The Gardening Club website (www.mickletongc.org.uk/spring-show) gives a glimpse of the riot of colour that greeted visitors…. and the judges too. There were plenty of worthy entrants for the 27 classes and there were many commended exhibits as well as the 1st, 2nd and 3rd winners. The overall winner was Brenda Griffiths with 26 points. Her smiles of delight were well justified as she made an effort to put in as many entries as possible of the highest quality……especially tricky this year after the cold,wet and stormy Winter and early Spring we have had!!

The things missing from the photos are the gorgeous scents of the flowers (especially the hyacinths), the laughter from the coffee lounge where cakes and drinks were enjoyed and the exclamations of delight at the sight of the well stocked plant and produce table. More of us need to participate in these annual village celebrations to enhance our life experiences!

After our April meeting and the visit to the Garden House in Condicott on Sunday, April 22 (opening especially for the Club after not being able to open for the NGS on March 18 as a result of snow) we will have our May meeting on 18th. Jack Willgoss will be telling us about his Wildegoose Nursery and how to grow violas. Meetings start at 7pm for 7.30pm and new members and visitors are very welcome. More details are on the Club website. So much to look forward to!!

JANET WALMSLEY