Letham Community Website

The Letham & District Horticultural Society’s 116th Annual Flower Show and Industrial Exhibition held on Saturday 16th August. had an encouraging 560 entries. Amazingly given the difficult weather conditions over the summer the entries were almost the same as last year (557)

Saturday turned out to be a fine day and a sunny afternoon brought out a good number of visitors.  That along with the large number of large number of items entered into the show by the exhibitors made it a very successful day.

It is always encouraging to see a large entry in the Children’s Section and this year was no exception with 136 entries.

In the under 5’s the most popular classes were some very imaginative colourful hand print paintings, pastanecklaces and the ever-popular cress grown in an egg cup.

The 5-8 age group was extremely well entered with some lovely dream catchers, fantastic edible snake and intricate Lego models.

In the 9-12 age group there was fierce competition between eight competitors with some very creativeedible creatures, colourful paintings of butterflies,beautiful dream catchers and tasty macaroon bars.

In the 13-16 age group there was some very goodartistic examples of entries with a really intricate sheep made out of modelling clay, some delicious millionaires shortbread, a decorated T shirt and an imaginative dream catcher decorated with sea shells.

In the open section for all age-groups, all the classes proved popular with the biggest entries being the decorated flower pot with 15 entries, next highest with 14 entries was the floating flower heads in a cereal bowl. There was a good entry in the photograph class with some very imaginative photos of different weather conditions. Appropriately for a flower show there were 7vegetables grown by a child class – so we have some budding gardeners of the future! Finally, the ever-popular miniature garden attracted a good number of entries with a wonderful range of ideas from the children.

Despite the difficult weather conditions this year there was a 40% increase in the number of entries to 103 inthe Vegetable Section. We have not had that level of entries since 2002! It was a very encouraging section with broad beans, French beans, potatoes and tomatoes being the most popular entries.

The Pot Plant section was popular with the more unusual exhibits of orchids, cacti and insectivorous plants being exhibited. There was also some beautiful fuchsia, colourful pelargonium and a huge display of vivid purple surfinia with the best exhibit being an outstanding begonia.

The Cut Flower section although down on last year showed a colourful array of gladioli, marigolds and fragrant sweet peas.

The floral theme continued in the Decorative Section which was well entered in every category with the competitors showing imaginative use of flowers and foliage in their displays including the ever-popular bowls of floating flower heads. There were very impressive novel arrangements of fresh flower arrangements inladles, beautiful table centre decorations on a Christmas theme and some very delicate miniature arrangements in thimbles.

In the Rural section, the theme was “Summer Picnic”and the ladies had certainly put their expert skills to full use with beautifully designed and imaginatively sewn picnic bags and napkins and colourful floral arrangements in tumblers. Edible entries consisted ofsavoury Scotch eggs and tasty flapjack.

Although marks are not awarded for the display each Rural had ensured that their entry was beautifully and imaginatively displayed to convey the Summer PicnicTheme

The Handicrafts Section enjoyed an increase in the number of exhibits with similar number of entries in every class and they showed a range of practical and decorative skills. The more popular categories were a decorated flower pot, a child’s motif jumper, crocheted or knitted brooches and items of jewellery.

The Baking Section was however down on last year but still there was a good spread of delectable treats. Staples such as cheese scones, dropped scones and the set recipe for a courgette loaf were most popularwith sugary treats such as Victoria sponge, traybake and marzipan fruits also proving popular.

The Jams and Jellies had the highest number of entries per class with raspberry jam, rhubarb & ginger jam and marmalade being the most popular

All the above could have easily been washed down with the selection of wines, beers, ciders and liqueurs being entered with the highest category being in the liqueur category with a very diverse range of liqueurs being entered.

Again, the weather appears to have been favourable to the fruit growers with a 50% increase in the number of fruit entries. All categories were well entered with blackcurrants and gooseberries being the most popular.

The theme for this year’s Photographic Section was “Farming Life” and proved popular with some wonderful photos of different aspects of farming life.

The Sales Table run by Miss Wilson, Ladybank proved to be popular with broccoli kindly donated by Mrs E Crombie, Westhall.

There was also a Vegetable and Fruit tombola with donations from Kettle Produce which was keenly supported by the visitors.

Outdoor games of putting, tub ball and horseshoe throwing proved popular with a large number of children and grown-up children alike with a large queue forming over the afternoon.

Afternoon teas were provided by the ladies in the kitchen who did a sterling job serving a steady flow of thirsty visitors.

Trophies were presented by Rev. Jeff Martin of Cupar Old and Monimail with Logan Reynolds presenting himwith a flowering plant as a thank you from the Society.

The Show was rounded off with an auction of exhibits that had been very kindly donated by the competitors thus ending what had been a very successful 116thShow.

Willie Fenton, on behalf of the Society, thanked all the competitors, helpers and visitors who made the Show possible and for making it such a success and encouraging everyone to come back next year.

LETHAM AND DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

GARDEN COMPETITION RESULTS 2018

The Letham and District Horticultural Society’s Annual Garden Competition held on 4 August proved once again to be popular and attracted a good number of entries in all its sections.

This gave the judge, Roy Daniels of Kirkcaldy, a difficult task in selecting the prize winners.

The Tubs and Hanging Basket category all presented a riot of colour and range of flowers and the judge commented on the good use of both plants and colour in the displays.

The Landscaped Garden category as always proved popular with a large variety of designs and themes with all the gardens showing a vibrant display of colour, foliage and well-maintained lawns.

The Vegetable Gardens provided proof of the quality, variety and quantity of produce the keen gardeners had grown.

The hard work and enthusiasm of the competitors made it a rewarding day for the judge and the quality of the flowers and vegetables seen in the competition suggests there will be some close competition for those entering the Annual Flower Show at Letham Village Hall on Saturday 11 August which opens to the public at 2.00pm.

Can we remind any entrants that our Cut Flower Section is an Open category toanyresident within Fife. Any queries to Alison McDonald, Secretary Telephone 01337 810250.

LETHAM AND DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

GARDEN COMPETITION RESULTS

2018

PRIZE WINNERS

Best kept and cropped Vegetable Garden

Winner receives the Paterson Shield

1st      –           Miss A Irvine, Prosen, Coaltown of Burnturk

2nd     –           Mr J. Duncan, 1 Lomond Crescent, Falkland

3^rd       –           Mr D Ellis, 8 Crawford Park, Springfield

Best Kept Flower Plot

Winner receives the Brunton-Kidd Medal

1^st       –           Mr A Lumsden, Carrack, Brighton Road, Cupar

2^nd      –           Mr R Hoggan, 5 Beech Avenue, Ladybank

Best Landscaped Garden

LARGE GARDENS

1st      –           Mr & Mrs G Hutchison, Collairnie House

2^nd       –           Lady J. Spencer-Nairn, Barham, Bow of Fife

3^rd      –           Mr D Dallas, Balyarrow,Monimail Road, Letham

COTTAGE GARDENS

1^st=        ^–           Mr Ronaldson, Roselea Terrace, Ladybank

                        Mr I Gordon, Heatherlea, Freuchie Mill Road,Freuchie

2^nd      –           Mrs C Sutherland, Catherine Cottage, Giffordtown

3^rd        –           Mr D Ellis, 8 Crawford Park, Springfield 

Best Onion Bed

1^st                   Mr D Ellis, 8 Crawford Park, Springfield

2^nd                 Mr J Duncan, 1 Lomond Crescent, Falkland

3^rd                   Sir R Spencer-Nairn, Barham, Bow of Fife

Best Onion Sets

1^st=     –           Miss A Irvine, Prosen, Coaltown of Burnturk

                        Mr J Duncan, 1 Lomond Crescent, Falkland

2^nd       –         Mr D Ellis, 8 Crawford Park, Springfield

3^rd      –           Sir R Spencer-Nairn, Barham, Bow of Fife

Best Tub or Pedestal of Flowers

1^st       –           Mr R Hoggan, 5 Beech Avenue, Ladynbank

2^nd      –           Mrs J Ellis, 8 Crawford Park, Springfield

3^rd       –           Mr A Lumsden, Carrack, Brighton Road, Cupar

Best Hanging Basket of Flowers

Winner receives theD & J Drummond Shield

1^st        –           Mrs J Ellis, 8 Crawford Park, Springfield           

2^{nd =}    –           Mr A Lumsden, Carrack, Brighton Road, Cupar

                        Mr J Duncan, 1 Lomond Crescent, Falkland

3^rd       –           Mr I Gordon, Heatherlea, Freuchie Mill Road,Freuchie