2010 Lavendon Village Annual Show
Well over 170 visitors flocked to the Village
Hall on a lovely autumn afternoon, some prompted
by Gill Gauntlett’s BBC Three Counties
“ The Greenhouse” programme,
which featured an interview with local farming
resident and Show committee member, Molly
Cony.
The good weather meant that the scarecrows,
which had been on display in the village
during the previous week, were able to feature
as a special attraction in the school playing
field, opposite the Village Hall. These
exhibits were judged by the Mayor of Milton
Keynes, Debbie Brock and her consort Peter
Geary, who awarded the adult prize to Kath
Collins for her three Wizard of Oz characters
and the children’s prize to Timothy
Boon, for his Wall-builder.
102 exhibitors submitted 355 entries spread
over 111 classes. Most people submitted
one or two entries, but John Shan entered
35 and won three trophies, for vegetables,
onions and dahlias. Other trophy winners
were: David Parker, Samantha Boon,
Madeleine Harrison, Florence Welsh, Nell
Maguire, Liam MacManus, Sarah Woodward and
Timothy Boon.
Despite the unhelpful growing weather for
flowers and vegetables, the standard of entries
across the board was complimented by the
judges and this year there was stiff competition
for the Men’s Lemon Drench Cake competition;
the winner for the last two years didn’t
even figure in the first three!
Half-way through the afternoon, the visitors
were treated to a mini-concert put on by
the children of Lavendon School. The
short programme consisted of two songs, a
piano recital and a playlet. The enthusiastic
applause after each rendition showed what
the audience thought of the children’s
efforts.
Although the visitors spent generously on
the raffle, the tombola and the teas and
cakes, they still had a few pounds left to
bid for the fantastic bargains on offer at
the auction. Most of the exhibitors
had generously donated their entries to be
sold and many Sunday meals and snacks were
probably enhanced by locally-grown, prize-winning
vegetables, fruits, jams, chutneys, cakes,
rolls and bread. We understand that
one of the chocolate cakes bought by Debbie
Brock was eaten at the Mayor’s Monday
morning Councillors’ meeting.
The Show raised over £750 and this
money will go towards the upkeep of the Village
Hall, which, like all similar locally-financed
amenities, is struggling to survive.
So, another successful Show thanks to the
exhibitors, the sponsors, the children, the
helpers, the visitors, the committee and
the judges, who once again gave generously
of their time for free.
John Salter
