ROPLEY Horticultural Society’s Spring Show on Saturday, April 2 welcomed the village in a flurry of snow.

After a cold and very wet week it was amazing that the parish hall in Ropley was so full of lovely spring flowers.

Despite the weather, it turned out to be a fantastic village show with more entries than ever. The Cornish cream teas were extremely popular, and everyone enjoyed looking at the flowers and produce, floral art, cookery and children’s classes on display. Every class in the schedule was represented.

Louise Brown, the show secretary, presented the cups to the winners. Jill Shakespeare won the Flowers Bowl and the Floral Art Bowl. Clare Gamble won the Cookery Cup with her splendid chocolate cake decorated for Easter and her wonderful hot cross buns! Robert Broderick became the first winner of the Ann Hart Daffodil Cup given by Ann’s husband in her memory. Louise Brown won the Novice Cup for her floral art entry April Showers and her Country Basket petite. Jill Shakespeare won Best in Show for her small cup daffodil entry, Bridget Hopes won the Spring Challenge Cup and Sylvi Godfrey was presented with the cup for the best overall entries in the children’s classes.

Louise thanked the committee, the members and friends of the society for all their hard work both in preparation for the show and on the day itself. Thanks also to all who had entered the many classes which, of course, had made the show possible. The afternoon had been a great success and enjoyed by everyone.

The next event is the plant sale which returns to the village after a break since before Covid. It will be held on Saturday, May 21 in Ropley Parish Hall and promises to be a bumper event with bedding plants, perennials, vegetable plants, herbs and the ever-popular garden bric-a-brac stall.

It will start at 11am – tea, coffee and cake will be available through the day – and finish at 4pm. There is ample parking, but visitors are asked to bring their own bags or boxes to carry their plants away.