AND THE WINNER IS - THE SUMMER SHOW

I think everyone thoroughly enjoyed the EAGS Summer Show on Sunday. The weather was generally on our side and didn't really start clouding over until towards the end.

We sold 113 tickets, a big increase on last year, so I think the concept of a picnic rather than a hog roast was well received.

For the show we had 32 exhibitors showing over 200 individual entries - again much larger than last year.

I think the music provided by the Watson Brothers was also very well received, and we'll definitely be booking them again next year.

Thanks also go to Claire's daughter for the face painting, and to Teresa for adjudicating the throw the welly competition - evidently worth the admission charge alone.

But the stars of the show were the 3 decorated cakes depicting allotment scenes. The time and effort which must have gone into making them is mind boggling. Many congratulations to the three people who made them and many, many, thanks.

The raffle raised £206 for the British Lung Foundation.

Also may thanks go to Stephen Lloyd MP who enthusiastically presented the prizes and drew the raffle.

Stephen told us that " It was a real pleasure to attend the Eastbourne Allotments and Gardens Society annual prize giving . A wonderful day from one of the premier allotment societies in the South of England. Well done to all those who made it such a successful event."

And of course a big thank you to all the helpers who helped support the show - a lot of hours went into the planning, erecting and taking down the marquees, and of course on the day. I mentioned this in my first blog but volunteers are always welcome - your allotment society needs you.

And so to the winners:

Best Kept Allotment:

1st Dawn Prior & Darren Richardson

2nd John Dann

3rd Joseph Baldock

Best Kept Allotment Newcomer

1st Jeremy & Karina Matheson

2nd Donna Woodgate & Peter Barnes

3rd Sue & Chris Tompsett

Best Kept Disabled Raised Bed

1st Peter & Sue Parsons

Show Shield for Most Points

1st John Dann

2nd Rosalind Elvy

3rd Kimberlee Cole

Outstanding Achievement Award

(for winning best kept allotment 3 times in a row) David and Emma Taylor