VISITORS turned out in force to see the array of vegetables, flowers, art and handicrafts at the 77th Iwerne Minster Horticultural Show.

The judges’ expertise was tested to the full by the high standard of the produce.

Inside the clubhouse, WI members were kept busy serving tea and home-made cakes.

The Sara Jones band entertained visitors and vintage cars and scooters made a glittering addition to a sparkling afternoon.

Steve Harrison won the coveted Banksian Medal for fruit and produce, the Fruit Bowl and the Bowhay Cup for the Men Only Cookery Class for his Dundee Cake.

Ron Benfield won the Elliott Cup for his vegetable entries and Gill O’Reilly the Audrey Brewster Cup for best exhibit for preserves and cookery.

Heather Overton shared the Simon Stobbs Cup for specimen flowers, Sue Le Prevost won Best in Show for her floral decorations and David Gorman the IMPHA Shield for photography.

Kim Ruddock won both the IMPHA Cup for handicrafts and the Dwell Deep Bowl for best non-horticultural exhibit.

The children’s classes had excellent entries and the youngsters are to be congratulated for the imaginative and colourful way they interpreted the titles given.

President Sue Le Prevost gave special thanks to retiring show secretary Christine O’Luanaigh for her hard work over several years.

Profits from the show go to Dorset Air Ambulance, Julia’s House and Perennial, the Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Society.