Oakhanger residents celebrated their 56th annual flower show and dog show last Sunday. Blessed with fine weather, the day kicked off in style with the fun dog show, organised and directed by Yvonne Joslin and her team of helpers. The judges, Jane Fergusson and her daughter Georgina, this year’s junior handler of the year at Crufts, had the difficult task of picking the top five dogs from 14 different classes and the winner of the Best in Show.
After much deliberation, the best in show trophy, sponsored by Altis Industries, was awarded to Poppy the Jack Russell owned by Catherine Hoare and the reserve best in show went to Sibey the Husky owned by Jenny Hickey.
Refreshments in the hall, barbeque, and creperie kept everone sustained throughout the afternoon. Home-made ice cream donated and served by Maxine and David Park was the talk of the green. The numerous stalls and Tombola ensured that there was plenty of opportunity for visitors to test their skills. The Tombola run by the Trantham family and the new games introduced by Karin Dugmore were particularly popular.
Supervised by Alan and Maggie Driver and John Dingle, the Show tent looked magnificent with a wonderful display of flowers, vegetables, cakes, jams, limericks, paintings, photographs and handicrafts,. The judges commented that the standard seemed to be the highest ever displaying the wonderful range of local skills and craftsmanship.
Thanks to the generosity of Oakhanger Joinery we were able to produce a programme detailing the 100 classes in good time for everyone to prepare their exhibits ensuring there was something for everyone.
For the children, the highlight of the day was the games which included the traditional wheelbarrow, sack, three-legged and water shuttle races, together with games of welly kicking, egg throwing and grass-ski racing. The games were rounded off with teams battling it out in the tug-of war. The ladies shield was won by the ‘Oakhanger Pullers’ and the men’s shield by ‘My sisters Best Friend’.
The cups, trophies, prizes and games certificates were presented by the Oakhanger May Queen, Amy Trantham. A new trophy was introduced this year in memory of Rosie Painter, a dear friend of the village. It was won by Corinne Dingle and was presented by Barry Painter.
The day was rounded off with a splendid meal for around 100 guests in the marquee co-ordinated by Sheila Goater, Anne Symon, Jo Benwell and their helpers and included the traditional auction of produce, skilfully managed by Toby Kilner.
Finella Kilner, the Village Hall Chairman, said: “It is impossible to list every stall holder and helper but a huge thank you goes to everyone for their time, effort and sponsorship – it is greatly appreciated. Thank you also to all those behind the scenes including Tom McMeekan ,Steve Goater and helpers who organised the preparation of the numerous marquees and gazebos and also to Carol McMeekan who did all the printing of schedules, certificates and Oakhanger stationery.
We are very fortunate to have a number of sponsors for various classes in both the main tent and the Doggy Tombola and our thanks go to A M Wood Fruiterer, Blackmoor Apple Shop, Brock’s Farm Shop, Burns Pet Nutrition, Crompton Civil and Marine Development, Coomer’s Builders Merchants, Forest Cobblers, Howitts Sadlers, James Wellbeloved, Kingsley Honey Farm, Kingsworld Gardening Club, Leon Paul Hair Salon, Luffs of Headley, Oakhanger Alpacas, Occasions Jewellers, Peter & Leslie Benwell , Sanford Jewellers. Sheila Betts Florists, Springfield Nursery, Tom & Cline Kilner and also thank the village for their donations, generosity and continued support for our village events”.
The event raised more than £2,000 which will go towards maintaining the high standard that everyone has come to expect of Oakhanger Village.