07:20PM, Friday 05 September 2025
David Woolford being presented with his prize by Clive Jones MP. Credit: Lottie Sant.
Class entry numbers for this year's Hurst Horticultural Show were 'the highest ever', organisers have revealed.
The popular show returned for its 112th year on Saturday, August 30 and attracted crowds of approximately 700 people, including a group from the USA.
Frank Whittaker, secretary of the show, said the enthusiasm and popularity of the event increases each year.
He added: “Incredibly, class entry numbers were the highest ever.
“We encourage this, it’s not just about Hurst, and maybe we can go international next year and attract entries from the USA.
“We are so grateful to the local pubs, restaurants, local businesses and artisan stallholders for supporting our raffle, which enables us to keep our prices low and any surplus we do make is donated to local charities.”
As well as the awards presented in the vegetable and flower categories, half of the show’s other entries covered the art, baking and cooking categories.
The Ladies-only Fruit Liqueur award was won by Abbie Bennington.
Youngsters also received medals and trophies in each category of the children’s classes.
A returning feature of the show saw David Woolford win the hotly contested Men Only Apple Flan prize.
His golden crown and apple medallion was presented by Wokingham MP Clive Jones who also attended with his wide Nicky.
Frank added: “We are so grateful to Clive Jones, our local MP, for presenting our trophies and awards this year.
“He and his wife Nicky were really enthusiastic and spent the whole afternoon with us looking around the entries, chatting amongst the crowd and entering into the spirit of the show.
"He agreed to enter his own apple flan in next year's show; I’ll hold him to this and maybe he’ll be wearing the crown as 2026 champion.”
Speaking after the event, Clive Jones MP, said: “I was delighted to be invited to attend the Hurst Horticultural Show, which has been bringing the community together and supporting local charities for over a century.”
“I had a lovely time presenting winners with their hard-earned awards, and I hope to be on the receiving end of one for my flan next year.”
Most read
Top Articles
Disturbing footage of a ‘murderous’ attack in Slough, where a man was stabbed 34 times and then run over by his killer, has been shown at the opening of a murder trial.
Key details for the opening of a new café and A US pharmaceutical company’s move into Maidenhead Tempo have been revealed.
‘Reassurance patrols’ will continue in the park, police said, and an appeal has been issued for anyone who might have information to make a report.