GARDENERS gave their take on legends of the Forest at the Bream Gardening Society’s 71st annual show on Saturday, October 26.

In the Tales of the Woods section, Ann Middleton won best in floral section for her depiction of the Staunton Longstone which is said to bleed if it is pricked with a pin at midnight.

Second prize went to Susanna Jacks for her blue and green display of the River Severn and its goddess Sabrina, while Julie Sparkes came third with ‘Who Killed the Bears?’

The forest theme was continued in the photography section and the display of ‘Mighty Trees’ was won by first-time entrant Stuart Kramer.

There were 218 entries in the show with baking, crafts and photography all very popular.

Suzanne Snowden was the baking queen of the show.

She also took the most points in the handicraft section with her display of a Christmas stocking, a greetings card, a painting, a quilted patchwork bowl and a knitted sparrow in its nest.

Diane Cornock won Best in Craft section for her knitted dinosaur puzzle toy.

The display of chrysanthemums brightened up a rainy day with their unique shapes and colours.

Alan O’Dell won four of the trophies including one for most points in the section.

The National Chrysanthemum Silver medal was awarded to Bruce Reed, and the Bronze medal was awarded posthumously to David Price whose blooms were brought to the show by colleagues.

“We had fewer entries this year with none in the novice growers’ section,” said show secretary

Helen Esplin: “We need more people to continue the tradition of chrysanthemum showing!”

Despite the wet afternoon there was still a good attendance at the West Dean Centre.

Visitors could enter an autumn foraging competition to identify fruits, nuts and berries while tucking into a huge array of home-made cakes baked by the society.

There was also a guess the weight of the cake won by Terry Weaver.

The show included two new sections – a display of autumn produce which was won by Diana Standing with her basket of fruits and vegetables, and a squash or pumpkin section which was won by the show secretary for a winter squash.

•See this week’s Review for more photographs.