Her Majesty the Queen was remembered and celebrated at this year’s Lindfield Horticultural Society Autumn Show. After making the decision to continue with the show, following the announcement of the death of the Queen, organisers gave exhibitors and visitors the chance to reflect on Her Majesty’s reign with a photograph, painting, floral tribute and a minute’s silence before the trophies were presented. Artist Julie Craig, who has Parkinsons and took up painting at an Art Therapy class, created her picture of the Queen the day before the show. “I thought it would be nice do a painting of the Queen, using mixed media - acrylics, water colours, and pastels, to display at the LHS Autumn show,” said Julie. “When I brought it along, it was a funny coincidence to find that someone had produced a large photo of exactly the same image I had based my painting on!” Julie was also delighted to win best in show for photography, while her logo design was chosen, following a public vote, as the new branding for the Horticultural Society. The annual show attracted large numbers of entries, with judges impressed with how the Lindfield gardeners had coped with this summer’s extreme weather conditions. First time exhibitors included Brian Dean who won the most humorous vegetable class with his Tromboncino squash! Caroline Cogle was thrilled to pick up three awards for her dahlias, while Jeff Essen triumphed in the floral art and handicrafts classes.

The photography classes attracted a wide range of entries, with judge Alex Rickards keen to encourage more young residents to take part and show off their photography skills next year, while two Lindfield cooks created a dilemma for judges who couldn’t decide on their favourite pumpkin soup, awarding a joint first prize!

Results
Dahlia Cup – Caroline Cogle
Dahlia Championship Cup – Caroline Cogle
Harry Tester Cup – Sue Stockwell
Huddart Cup – Tim Richardson
Massey Dawson Cup – Tim Richardson
Helena Hall Cup – Tim Richardson
Ian Cooper Pumpkin Cup – Richard Watson
Penney Cup – Jeff Essen Kieron
James Toy Shield – Sam Kremer
Cumulative awards for three shows
George Murrell Photographic Cup – Jocasta Fearn
Shepherd Cup (vegetables) – Tim Richardson
Proctor Cup (pot plants) – Sue Stockwell
Ron Pickett Trophy (trug classes) – Andrea Fall
Lady Wilkinson Silver Tray (cookery) – Anne Hall Morecombe
White Cup (handicrafts) – Jess Essen
LHS Junior Perpetual Shield (aged 10 and under) – Sam Kremer
Shepherd Perpetual Shield (aged 10 to 15) – Florence Fearn-Hughes
Logo Competition – Julie Craig