NORTH Lancashire villagers were “blessed with a lovely sunny afternoon” for their 91st Annual Summer Show.

Recent wet and windy weather led to a smaller-than-usual array of home-cultivated flowers and vegetables, said show secretary Louise Belcher of Bolton-le-Sands Horticultural Society.

Nevertheless, judges praised the “outstanding quality” of the exhibits, and visitors who flocked to Bolton-le-Sands Community Centre found “plenty to see”.

Saturday's show was opened by long-standing society supporters Tony and Joan Jackson, who were presented with flowers by ten-year-old Kerenza Lentell.

Visitors tripped down memory lane thanks to a collection of archive pictures and memorabilia from 91 years of the horticultural society, its members and contributors.

Meanwhile, 20 years’ service to the society committee by Barbara Bainbridge, assistant treasurer, was recognised with a Royal Horticultural Society Bronze Medal and Certificate.

Show secretary Ms Belcher thanked the committee members and helpers who “make the show what it is”.

Among them were the WI members who "ran the kitchen so efficiently"; charity auctioneer Mike Craddock, vice-chairman of Bolton-le-Sands Parish Council; and the “enthusiastic young people” who helped set up tables, provided a constant tea and coffee service, presented bouquets and acted as auction runners - Jonty, Piran and Kerenza Lentell; Jessica Crabtree; and Josh, Bel and Loki Rhodes.

The charity auction raised £37, with £20 going to charity Team Reece, which helps children and families facing cancer.

By popular demand this year's Bolton-le-Sands village garden competition was opened up to the residents of Slyne and Hest Bank, with two gardens from each taking part.

Ms Belcher said the competition was also promoted via Facebook, attracting another five or so entries, making 17 altogether.

Two "epic judging sessions" saw judges Don Hack, Wendy Hargreaves, Louise Belcher and Ruth Piearce tour the gardens. They praised the "very high" standard of the carefully tended plots and said they felt "honoured to be given access to people’s gardens which are their pride and joy".

"All in all, it was really great to have some lovely new gardens entering and that’s positive for the future of the competition," Ms Belcher told the Gazette.

"Hopefully there won’t be a Cricket World Cup next year so we’ll be able to spread the judging out more and spend more time in each garden. We all enjoyed it and tried to give feedback when the owners were in."

Best large garden trophy went to Belinda and Steve Garland, of Main Road, Bolton-le-Sands, for their "plantsman's paradise", whose rarities include an exotic, spiked 20-feet-high Echium.

Small garden winners Les and Kath Robinson have packed so many plants into their tiny plot between Hest Bank's The Crescent and the Lancaster Canal, there is no room for a patio. Judges said it was "a joy to explore this little gem".

Bev Chadwick's "jewel of patio garden" with its abundant flowers won best patio garden.

Trophies. Baldwin Rose Bowl, best exhibit: T Davey. Foster Vase, most points open flowers: D Hack. Sharples Trophy, most points local veg: M Craddock. Moore Cup, most points open veg: B Noon. Hill Trophy, most points local flowers; J Bond. Foster Cup, most points home craft: R Catterall. Walker Cup, most points handicraft: J Spotswood. Grubb Cup, most points floral art: S Retallick-Roberts. Orr Challenge Cup, most points children’s baking: Jessica Crabtree. Whithington Challenge Cup, most points children’s art: Bel Rhodes. Fuller Sweet Pea Bowl, most points sweet peas: T Davey. Grubb Cup, most points ferns: T Piearce. Rawlinson Trophy, winner local sweet peas: T Davey. Alderman Smith Cup, winner rose cycle: C Percival. Long Cup, winner gladiolus, one spike: K Robinson. Cottam Cup, best local pot plant: L Belcher. National Sweet Pea Society Bronze Medal: T Davey. National Dahlia Society Bronze Medal: A K Jolley. Westmorland & North Lancs Federation of Horticultural Society Shows Blue Ribbon, best exhibit in show: T Davey. Banksian Medal, most prize money: D Hack. Parkinson Trophy, large garden: S & B Garland. Pennington Trophy, small garden: L & K Robinson. Briggs Trophy, patio garden: B Chadwick. Rodwell Shield, most points: B Chadwick.