Village shows are declining – but this one is thriving

The summer flower and produce show has been a staple part of British village life since the 18th Century.

This tradition is on the decline, with fewer in existence today amid the effects of an ageing population, the fragmentation of communities and the Covid pandemic having kept people indoors.

But some are still thriving – like on Cornwall’s south coast where Crafthole’s 350 residents manage to throw a mighty annual show.

Photographer Jim Grover visited the village hall to discover a story of community, competition, hidden talents, winners and dashed hopes – as well as a tradition under threat.

An annual event since 1941, the Flower and Vegetable Show is a big day for Crafthole.

“Everyone loves coming,” committee member Fiona Babbage says.

“It’s just a nice day where we can all get together, show our wares, have a cup of tea and a slice of cake, and chat.

“It’s village community.

“There’s a little bit of competition – there’s a lot of competition, in some cases.

“There are strict rules on the Victoria sandwich – you have to use seedless raspberry jam and have to dust the top with caster sugar.”

Fiona’s own Victoria sandwich cake won first prize – and the June Martin Cup, for the best exhibit in the cookery section.

The baking judge said: “It tastes like a Victoria your granny would make – delicious.”

Su Hillman won the cup for the best painting.

“I’m self-taught,” she says.

“I must have about 100 pictures or so at home – they are just accumulating.

“I enter a few exhibitions but I never get further than this.

“People say sell them – I guess I need a manager.”

The judge said: “Excellent, full of detail and movement – I can feel the wind – beautifully presented.”

This year, 35 entrants entered 266 exhibits across 85 classes, including cookery, handicrafts and art.

And there are 26 trophies at stake, including the most sought after, the Champion’s Cup, for the most points in the show.

Some enter 20 different classes or more.

But would-be entrants have to contend with some unexpected challenges.

“I’m hoping to win a few prize – but I’ve had a bad year,” regular entrant Bob Stevenson says.

“I had deer come in my garden last week and they ate my roses, just the flowers.

“I’ve only had them come into the garden three times – but they would come in the week before the show.”

Nevertheless, Bob won three trophies, including the bowl for the perfect rose.

His tomatoes were placed third.

The future of the traditional village show is less assured.

“I used to judge 16 shows a year,” Ricky Hoskin, of the National Vegetable Society, says.

“Because of the pandemic, a lot have folded.

“Now, I am doing around eight.

“I feel really sad about that.”

Rosalie Dunn says: “I have lived here for 76 years – and my mum lived here all her life.

“My mother and grandmother were founding members of the WI [Women’s Institute] and they formed the flower show in 1941 – her picture is on the wall of the village hall.

“Mum always won the prizes in the handicrafts.

“All the ladies used to get very excited about it.

“It’s lovely to be still going on.

“It’s such a highlight for Crafthole and the whole parish.

“Quite a number of shows have stopped, so we really need to keep it going.

“It brings all the village together.

“There’s always a lot of laughter and friendly competition.

“People love it – I love it”

Once the names behind her chosen winners had been revealed to bread judge Fiona Harvey (above right), she joked: “Now I know who to avoid around the villages over the next few days.”

Another villager, totting up how she had fared, said: “My husband and I are very competitive against each other.

“He’s won some and I’ve won some – but who is the winner? Just about me.”

Some categories are highly contested – 13 hydrangea heads battled it out for the first-prize certificate.

In contrast, the George Penfound Cup, for the best marrow, went to the lone exhibit.

Either way, the judges leave encouraging comments with the exhibits.

Royal Horticultural Society rules are applied to the cut-flowers, fruit and vegetable classes, WI rules to the cookery, preserves and drinks.

And some exhibitors’ hopes were dashed as they discovered, too late, they had inadvertently fallen foul of them.

Robert Bushrod was not allowed to exhibit his beautifully tied shallots, as he had not entered them on his application form.

And Lynn Vickery had failed to list an ingredient for her yeast buns, ruling out her entry, though her brownies came in third.

The tearoom quickly filled with the sound of laughter and locals catching up with each other over tea and homemade cakes before they all gathered for the awards ceremony.

“We’ll be doing it again next year I think,” Mel Parry, who chaired this year’s show, says.

“It’s hard work – but it’s worth it.”