HORTICULTURAL SHOW ALMOST DOUBLES IN SIZE

Exhibitors at the Gresham Horticultural Show have almost doubled in twelve months.  This year the event attracted over 40 exhibitors compared with 23 in 2005 - its inaugural year.  "This is a clear indication that the Show is here to stay" said Jimmy Annison, Chairman of Gresham Village Hall Association.   "Our aim now is to continue to build on the numbers and quality".

In all, the Show had 57 classes in six sections covering fruit, vegetables, flowers, floral arrangement, home produce and a junior section.  Overall best-in-show in the Flowers, Fruit and Vegetables Group was Matthew Youngman of Gresham for his display of onions, whilst Joy Cooper, also of Gresham won best-in-show in the Home Produce Group for her raspberry jam.

Many of the exhibitors entered several classes, with Chairman Jimmy Annison and Joy Cooper putting 10 and 11 exhibits respectively.  Highlights of the show was a 6' tall canna lily and some giant marrows.  The displays and the availability of refreshments all day, with Ploughman' Lunches from noon to 2 pm, ensured a steady stream of visitors.   "We want o make this an annual, colourfull event which will attract even more people to demonstrate their abilities" conclude Mr. Annison.

Thanks should go particularly to members of the Village Hall Committee, Gresham WI who did the catering and the two outside judges Mrs Jo. Hayman and Mr. Chris Johnson.

The date for next year's event will be Saturday, August 11, 2007.

AYLSHAM ROTARY CLUB'S ANTIQUES FAYRE - BBC RADIO NORFOLK TO ATTEND AND GIVE LIVE BROADCAST

The Rotary Club of Aylsham is in full swing getting ready for the 2006 Antiques Fayre which will be held on Sunday the 8th October between 10am and 4pm at Aylsham High School in Sir Williams Lane, Aylsham. This will be the 10th consecutive Antiques Fayre, which is one of the major events and fundraisers in the club's calendar.

Local fine art auctioneers Key's of Aylsham have again agreed to be present and to donate their services and offer a special 'Antiques Roadshow' style valuation to visitors at the fayre. Those people interested can bring their old china, glass, silver, jewellery, paintings etc. to the fayre and for a donation of £1 per item to the fund raising pot an expert from Keys will be pleased to value the item and give the owner an idea of its history.

Thirty antique dealers from around the country are invited to attend and they work hard to find special items to bring along - as in previous years the organisers will ensure that there is a wide and varied selection of good quality affordable antiques and collectable items such as; pottery, porcelain and glass, silver, prints, small furniture and linens etc.

All proceeds from the fayre will go to Rotary Charities, last year £3,000 was raised and distributed.
There will be excellent homemade refreshments - parking is plentiful and free. Admission is £1.50 per adult, under 16's free.

This year there will be a live broadcast from the fayre by Maggie Secker from BBC Radio Norfolk - she attended in 2004 and expressed the wish to return and we have been fortunate enough to engage her services and the outside broadcast vehicle.
Philip Green can be contacted on 01603 279646 for further information on reserving stands for the show.