Ilketshall St Margaret Village Show 2025
Report by Show Secretary, Roger Webb
This year the weather forecast threatened us with thunder storms, but miraculously, we dodged the rain and a lovely sunny afternoon was enjoyed by all.
There were plenty of volunteers to help setting up – in anticipation of rain, a very large marquee was erected, kindly lent by Chris Aldrich and a large gazebo for the BBQ from Matt McKee ensured we were ready to go.
Musical entertainment was non-stop from the excellent Black Deek Band and Antony’s Kitchen Band who got people off their feet. An estimated 150 people visited the hall and grounds, enjoying the fabulous produce show which filled the hall to the brim – the flower fragrances were wonderful!. A new Class addition was the Heaviest Marrow which, next year we hope to encourage more participants by offering ready to go plants along with their Spud Bucket seed potato.
The Slow Bicycle Race seems to be catching on – there was even a petrol powered one that crept in on the starting line (Eric’s invention?) and there were plenty of participants for the Tug Of War, High St vs Low St with the determined Highs coming out on top 3-0. They had obviously been practicing!
And lastly, using a new ‘Top Gear’ style leaderboard, the much anticipated Spud in a Bucket weigh-in didn’t disappoint with a record turn out of 38 participants, with previous 2 times winner Trevor Mayhew collecting the Masher Trophy with a total weight of 2078 grams. To all other stall holders present who I haven’t mentioned, again, a big thank you!
In all, there were 71 exhibitors and 307 exhibits, raising over £1600 for the village hall funds – a mighty effort from such a small village! The standard of entries across all classes was excellent and attracted much praise from the judges and visiting public alike. The committee would like to thank everyone who volunteered to help make this event a success. Have a great summer!
Tomkin Plate (Most points in Show) Roger Webb
Stott Trophy (Second most points in Show) * Julie Gaskell * Annette Abbott
Fuller Cup (Most points for Fruit) Roger Webb
Read Cup (Most points for Vegetables) Roger Webb
Val Chapman Cup (Best Horticultural Exhibit) Roger Webb
Masher Trophy (Heaviest weight of bucket potatoes) Trevor Mayhew
Cannel Cup (Most points for Flowers) Annette Abbott
Mann Cup (Most points for Cookery & Home Produce) Julie Gaskell
Smith Howell Cup (Most points Ladies Handicrafts) * Jenny McKee * Knit & Knatter
Huguenot Cup (Most points Mens Handicrafts) Darren Harding
John Arthey Trophy (Best Photograph) * Julie Harding * Milo McCluskey
Rogers Trophy (Most points for Floral Art) Sheila Cooper
Alison Morgan Cup (Finest Floral Exhibit) Valerie Carrol
The Wigg Cup (Most points in Farmers Class) Emma Hald
Roger Lambert Memorial Shield (Best Garden Display) Ben Mitchell
Founders Award (Most points for a Novice) Jenny McKee
Children’s Award (Most points Children’s Classes) Milly Hald
Family Cup (Family who have contributed most) The Gaskell family
* = joint winners
