We had 417 entries and lots more new entrants for the Hook Flower & Produce Show held at the Elizabeth Hall on Sunday 14th September. As expected, the number of actual exhibits were slightly down for the show, due to the very hot weather we have experienced this year, meaning nearly all produce was affected. It was so great to see lots of new people interested in taking part in these two popular village events as also the winners were announced for this year’s Hook In Bloom competition, which again saw more new entrants.

WONDERFUL SUPPORT

At the presentation ceremony, the Chairman of Hook Village Halls, David Saunderson, thanked all the volunteers who made the show possible by investing their time and energy throughout the year as well as on show day. He thanked everyone who entered the show, for coming along, and all the Hook In Bloom volunteers and supporters who help out in so many ways, from planting to watering and of course not forgetting repairing and installing the poppy display that will go up in October. Without considerable volunteer effort, there would be no show, no Hook In Bloom and no poppy displays.

He continued by saying, “I think you’ll all agree, this year’s displays around the village have seen superb planting in the troughs and keeping them watered has been no mean feat. Thanks must also go to Hook Parish Council for the hanging basket displays, which have been exceptional, despite the weather. The new supplier replaces plants as necessary and makes sure they are all fed and watered regularly.”

He thanked Bridges Estate agents who undertake most of the printing and help financially to get the word out by paying for advertising space for the competition, for the Show leaflet to be designed, signage and sponsoring prizes and being there to act as a drop off point for villagers to get items to In Bloom.

Our local village Tesco have also helped considerably with Linda Flemming supporting Louise of Simple Cakes with the tearoom, providing drinks and beverages, prizes and other items to help us raise funds. It almost goes without saying, that Louise has once again come up trumps with a wonderful array of cakes to help us raise funds and keep us going. Whenever there is a chance to enjoy Louise’s cooking, too numerous to mention, make sure you come along, especially to Hook Books.

Last but indeed not least, thanks must also go to County Councillor Jonathan Glen for coming along today to present the prizes and all his support over many years through his County Council devolved budget, for Hook in Bloom and lots of other community projects.

The winner of the Best In Show trophy was Robert Herron, which soon became obvious when he kept accepting numerous rosettes. Well done, Robert.

THE WINNER’S OF THIS YEAR’S HOOK IN BLOOM WERE:

Bridges Estate Agency Trophy for the Most Attractive Front Garden

Sam Betts & Luke Crawford                

Highly Commended Front Garden Category

Eve & Steve Kirk                                        

The Batten Trophy for the Best Residential Hanging Basket:

Joanna Miskin                                              

Highly Commended Hanging Basket Category

Leanne Williams                                         

The Hook Parish Council Trophy for the Most Attractive Business Premises

St. Michael’s Hospice Shop

The Worlock Trophy for the Best Hotel, Restaurant or Pub

Winner  –  The Hogget

Runner Up  –  White Hart

The Hook in Bloom Community Trophy

The Residents of Berry Court  

Special Mention

Caroline at Hook Station

 Winner the Hook Cross Trophy for the Best Allotment

Holly Gill   (Plot 60a)

Best Newcomer at Hook Allotment  

Phil & Suzanne O’Callaghan  (Plot 57d)

Special Mention

John Blowick  (Plot 55a)                                                             

The winners of the best front garden, Sam and Luke, were new contestants and the judges were impressed that for such a small garden it was well organised, well planted and served the whole family including 3 hedgehogs that were seen on Facebook. Well done Sam and Luke.

In the hanging basket category the contestants were new too. Leanne’s garden was spied as a very worthy entry by a passing motorist. With Joanna the judges thought a neighbour had entered,  took photos and then spied Joanna’s, only to be told that it was she who had actually entered anyway. As the judges don’t like to look suspicious, lurking around people’s houses, they had knocked on Joanna’s door only to be told that she had taught herself to make up her baskets by learning from YouTube. So very well done for your very first entry Joanna.

Marian, Hook Allotments Chairman, said they had a very hard judging job this year too. She said that Holly, the winner of the Hook Allotments Trophy, was new to Hook allotments and not only had she thrown herself into all aspects of HAA from working parties, joining the committee, to NGS Open Day and the show, but she also found time to produce a lovely plot packed full of a wonderful combination of flowers and vegetables. The judges were impressed with the colourful display and cottage feel to her plot.

Of Phil and Suzanne, the best new incomers Marian said, “Despite it only being a mini, it is brimming with a variety of produce. An excellent start on their allotment journey.”

Marian’s comments on John’s plot, was that she should have a special mention prize as he took over a very wayward plot and transformed it within a very short period of time. Unfortunately, at the time of judging, not much was growing on his plot, but his use of recycled wood to make a seat/pergola is fantastic.

Village Hall Chaiman David Saunderson, when introducing the winners of the Hook in Bloom competition, explained how judging Hook In Bloom gets harder every year. First the judges have to try to decide the best time to judge, given a slow start to summer, drought and heatwave meaning what will the gardens be like? They go out and judge, having  received entries and been tipped off by various means who villagers think are worthy of entry, plus going on a really good tour of the village too. Then weeks later, they see a garden or a hanging basket that suddenly is really blooming but wasn’t noticed before. Then the weeds, one week there are none, then the next with all the rain and humid weather we get, they are taking over again.

Luckily Hook folk come to the rescue with super blooming gardens and baskets and you can see the clear winners.  Next year with the re-painting of the new White Hart and the new owners of the Crooked Billet settled in, perhaps The Hogget will have some competition. This year, however, The Hogget has looked really fantastic, even better than last year, and a clear winner.

In his thank you speech, the Chairman of Hook Village Halls, David Saunderson, thanked all the people who took part and visited the show, all the dedicated volunteers involved in Hook in Bloom and Hook Allotments, who turn out in support and help to make the initiative such a success and Maggie Kirtley, the Show Secretary, who keeps the actual exhibitor entry part of the show meticulously organised.

“The winners this year have achieved a great deal. So very well done to the gardeners of Hook”.

Hook In Bloom is very lucky to have some major supporters. Firstly Kevin Winchester, manager of Bridges Estate Agents who undertake most of the printing and help financially to get the word out advertising on the back of the HVH booklet, pay for the Show leaflet to be designed and hand delivered to every  household in the village, pay for signage, sponsor prizes and are always there to act as a drop off point for villagers to get items to Hook in Bloom. 

Other tremendous supporters are Hook Village Halls, Hook Allotments Association, de Jager bulbs, Jonathan Glen through his Hampshire County Council devolved budget and Hook Parish Council.

Hook in Bloom’s national sponsor, de Jager bulbs, give vouchers for the categories along with  wholesale discounts when Hook In Bloom buy their top quality bulbs. This year de Jager bulbs will be planted in the churchyard, the cubs will be planting them in the Elizabeth Hall grounds, there will be replacements for village troughs, troughs in the railway station and hopefully in the grass areas in the Griffin Road roundabout. HiB also get wildflower, Pictorial Mix, from de Jager which is used in the Fish and Chip and Bugdens beds, because nothing else seems to grow there. They have ordered plenty of Pictorial Mix so hopefully will also trial it in the churchyard.