RUISHTON Show celebrated its 35th anniversary in style with a record number of more than 900 entries, vibrant colours and the award of a brand new cup, the Tony Shattock Village Day Cup, for the winner of the flower section.

The cup was presented to Hazel Greenslade by Tony Shattock, one of the original founders of the annual event.

She also won the Carton Rose Bowl for a specimen rose and Arthur Atyeo was a first time winner of the Mary Rolland Millennium Cup for pot flowering plant.

The scarecrow and hanging basket competitions saw Liam Holley achieve a unique first by winning both events.

The theme of this year’s scarecrow trail that took place around the village in the week leading up to the show was for a 'Traditional Scarecrow' and Liam’s winning entry featured 'Arthur Bale' pushing a traditional Japanese wheelbarrow.

As is traditional Arthur Bale was taken to the flower show to stand guard over the Potato Crop in a Bucket entries, which this year tested the stamina of the judges who had to empty out 34 buckets and weigh the potato crop which this year was won by Darren Greenslade.

The impressive numbers and quality of fruit and vegetable made for an incredibly close run contest for the Ruishton Challenge Cup given to the entrant who has the highest number of points in this section.

It was awarded to Sandra Rodgers with Peter Kearle taking the Marshall cup as runner up who also secured the Ruishton Vegetable Plate for amassing most points in the Vegetable section.

The Claydon Challenge Trophy for rhubarb was won by Sandra Rodgers and going by the number of entries and the high level of interest Ruishton is fast gaining the reputation as the rhubarb capital of Somerset.

The standard of the cookery section also made for another close run thing for the R & J Cave Cup for the overall winner of the section which was awarded to Hazel Greenslade and Lydia Carver as runner up received the Walker Cup.

Her husband Andy Carver was awarded a cup for his Victoria sandwich (Men).

Cups in this section were also presented to Sally Adams for apricot loaf, Sylvia Kearle for scones, Rachael Gower for Victoria sandwich (ladies).

There were many imaginative and diverse entries in the handicrafts section where Lydia Carver retained the Arthur Jelks Tray for the highest number of points.

The other cups in handicrafts all went to first time winners, the Photography Cup to Stephen Hembery for his close up photo of a frog in the Garden Visitors class, the M & E Duke Woodwork cup to Amelia Owens and the cup for hand knitted article to Debbie Pam.

With a theme of Classic Novels Floral Art provided yet another closely contested Section and Samantha Dash as highest points winner was awarded the Maudie Hayward Trophy as well as retaining the Herbert Blaney Cup for the miniature floral arrangement.

There were impressive entries in the drinks section and not only in the numbers but also the quality which made judging difficult but enjoyable. First time entrant Graham Holland, was awarded the Mr & Mrs Breeze Cup as overall winner and also the Wine of the Show Cup.

There were exceptional numbers of entries in the Children’s Section which showed wonderful degrees of imagination and skills. A new class this year was for a decorated pizza and the winner, Amelia Smallacombe, was awarded the Henlade Cup. Handwriting was extremely well supported and cups went to Gracie-Mae Huish (4 – 6years) and Marley (8 – 11 years). Other cup winners in the Children’s section were Freya Tarr for decorated wooden spoon (David Berry Cup), Daniel Barrington for Lego (J & M Growtage Trophy), Katie Dash for Lego (4 – 11 years) and Lola Reed for Bookmark.

Flower Show Chairman Mike Marshall congratulated everyone who made this year’s Ruishton Flower Show such a record breaking success and said he was looking forward to the next 35 years.