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downsmail.co.uk Show boasts the best in Kent


THE Kent County Show in Detling attracted 77,000 visitors over three days – up 2,000 on the previous year’s turnout.


In spite of the hotweather and Op- eration Stack in operation on the Fri- day, attendance for the 86th show held up with a display by the Red Arrows, which cost £12,000, boost- ing numbers through the turnstiles. The showwaswell represented by


the area, not just by visitors, but also among the 400 exhibitors and trade stands, with our region’s commer- cial and amateur growers taking some of the top prizes. Brian Piper, from Filmers Farm in


Loose, received the Challenge Bowl and an armful of trophies for his cherries. He won six first places and the most points in The National Cherry and Soft Fruit Show – the country’s only top and soft fruit competition, held as part of the county show. The best strawberries in the county were grown by Robert Pas- call, from Clock House Farm, Cox- heath,whowonthe Kentish Garden Strawberry Cup. Taking a first for his apricots was Clive Baxter, from Amsbury Farm, East Street, Hunton. Stockbury gardener Chris Spree,


from South Street, received the best in showaward from the Kent Feder- ation of Horticultural Societies as well as the County Trophy from the Kent CountyAgricultural Society for his garden produce. It was the chairman of Stockbury Cottage Gardeners’ Society’s best re- sult at the show. The prizewas pre- sented by Jim Buttress, from the BBC’s Great Allotment Challenge. Chris said: “I’m really pleased and


I hope it encourages a resurgence of young and new people coming into gardening even more. “ The Kent Federation of Horticul-


tural Societies named PatWickwar’s calla lily as the best pot plant on show. Mrs Wickwar, from London Road,Leybourne, is amember of the Mid Kent Fuchsia Group, which meets each month in Maidstone. She was delighted with her first


win in this category and confessed her entry was watered by her son Michael when her husbandwas ill. The keen gardener, who has a half-acre plot, told the Downs Mail that fuchsias had been her favourite


Fromleft: Andrew Reason fromAnno Distillers; PatWickwarwith her calla lily and Chris Spree with Jim Buttress fromBBC’s Great Allotment Challenge


Brian’s cherries pick of the crop


CHERRIES cropped later than usual at Brian Piper's orchard in Hub- bards Lane, Loose, but this did not prevent his long run of successes at the Kent Show. He ended with seven top trophies as well as many class winners.


plant since a visit to a flower show 12 years ago. Roz Day, from Headcorn, was in


charge of the flower marquee. She is on the show’s board of directors and has been the chief flower steward for more than 20 years. She said: “It’s a full-on 10 days ,


but I thoroughly enjoy it.” The 32 students from New Line Learning Academy in Maidstone walked away with the The Pattullo Higgs trophy after winning the most points for their animals at the show They were in The Kent Young Farmers’ Clubs marquee where youngsters competing from eight schools and 11 young farmers’ clubs, made it the largest gathering of young farmers in Europe. Exhibiting his vintage tractors – a narrow hop garden 1962 Super Dexta and a 1964 Super Major –was Rodney Gibson, from Stockbury, a founder member of the Ford and


Fordson Association. He spent his life working as a commercial and agricultural engi- neer, and has been showing at Detling for 15 years. He said: “It’s great to give the vehicles an airing and catch up with those who share the same interest. I never tire of it.” Among the trade exhibitors was


Anno Distillers, from Marden, whose award-winning alcoholic of- ferings, infused with Kent sloes, el- derflowers, hops and samphire, attracted a keen interest. Staff from Chegworth Valley were also kept busy selling fruit juice to visitors, along with home-grown produce from the farm near Harrietsham. So with a ticket price of £22 per


adult on the gate, was it value for money? A show spokesman said: “The


ticket price is reflective on the day out as a whole. It is comparable to other county shows and events


TV special


BBC Countryfile’s Matt Baker helped wrap the cherries sent from the show to Buckingham Palace. Co-presenters Adam Henson, Tom Heap, Matt Baker, Ellie Harrison and Anita Rani also took part in activities for a show special broadcast on Sunday, July 26 and available on BBC iPlayer.


Charity cash


VOLUNTEERS from The Ro- tary Club of Maidstone River- side again manned the gates and ticket booths. They will be donating their cheque from The Kent County Agricultural Society to Rotary charities across the district and, for the first time, to the Black- thorn Trust in Maidstone.


across the country. “We continually look at what we


offer our visitors and the experience they receive when they are at the show. Following feedback from last year’s show, we encouraged our trade stands to think about what they offer the public and included free donkey rides and a circus work- shop for children.” Next year’s show will run from Friday, July 15 to 17.


MP calls for action to solve Channel chaos


MINISTERS need to keep the pres- sure on the French Government to stop strike action across the Channel causing traffic chaos in the area, says Mid KentMPHelen Whately. The MP spoke out about the mis-


ery for motorists caused by Opera- tion Stack, which has been instigated repeatedly following industrial ac- tion at French ferry terminals. During Home Office questions in


12 Maidstone Town August 2015


the Commons, Mrs Whately asked what talks had been held by secre- tary of state Theresa May with her French counterparts to avoid a re- peat of the disruption. She was reassured by Mike Pen-


ning, the minister for policing, that “substantial discussions have taken place between the secretary of state, ministers and their French counter- parts”.


However, Mrs Whately continued,


using the opportunity to raise the issue of illegal immigrants seizing stowaway opportunities, which led to further transport delays. Immigration minister James Bro- kenshire MP said measures had been taken to improve security at the border, including a £12minvestment in fencing in Calais and potential im- provements to fencing in Coquelles,


along with increased deployments of the British Border Force. Mrs Whately said: “We need the French authorities to make sure striking workers don’t disrupt ferry services. As it is likely strikes will continue during the summer, I am calling on ministers to keep up the pressure on the FrenchGovernment. We need them to make sure cross channel services keep running.”


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