Last updated 11:54, Thursday, 11 September 2008

GARDENERS defied the lousy summer weather by producing an impressive display of vegetables and cut flowers at the Barrow and District Horticultural Society’s annual show.

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ROSETTES: Conner Teijlingen-Bell, 12, from Barrow with his rosettes REF: 0448692

The committee has worked equally hard behind the scenes to make the 99th show, sponsored by the Evening Mail, a success, including society stalwart, 94-year-old George Batty who hasn’t missed a show since 1955.

Chairman and show manager Roy Spittle said: “There’s some excellent quality stuff on the bench this year, particularly with the weather being as bad as it has been. We’re very pleased. Some of the dahlia exhibits are excellent.”

The society’s secretary Beryl Rollinson said: “We thought the weather might have affected the display but the quality of the stuff has been higher than ever. If we didn’t have the exhibitors we wouldn’t have a show and the committee works very hard too.”

This show was particularly poignant for Keith Hardman, of Chapel Street, Dalton, who collected 10 trophies.

His prize-winning vegetables and flowers were grown on Quarry Allotments in Chapel Street which are under threat because the owners plan to sell up.

He said: “The allotments give us a real sense of achievement.”

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