Sheridan May won three firsts in the photography classes to take the overall prize in the section – black and white print, portrait and reptiles, insects or flowers.
Sheridan May won three firsts in the photography classes to take the overall prize in the section - black and white print, portrait and reptiles, insects or flowers (Rob Searle)

Ruth Papworth with her prizewinning blooming pot plant and succulent.
Ruth Papworth with her prize-winning blooming pot plant and succulent. (Rob Searle)

Fun dog show judge Patricia Knowles, second right, with the winners of the Dog I'd Like To Take Home class.
Fun dog show judge Patricia Knowles, second right, with the winners of the Dog I’d Like To Take Home class. (Rob Searle)

Darse Billings with the prize-winning heaviest pumpkin that he grew with his wife Alexandra
Darse Billings with the prize-winning heaviest pumpkin that he grew with his wife Alexandra. (Rob Searle)

Gerry DeBell with his first-placed slow gin and cider
Gerry DeBell won first place for his sloe gin and cider. (Rob Searle)

PLENTY of compost in the soil and careful watering helped this year’s Chobham Show Champion grow some spectacular vegetables during the summer’s heatwaves.

Keith Hine has explained how he managed to make his allotment produce thrive in extreme conditions.

“After a normal start to the year, with seeds sown and plants planted, it stopped raining,” he said.

“I was pleased that I had been digging in plenty of compost, which helped retain moisture when I watered.

“But watering by cans is not the same as natural rain and growth slowed down,” added Keith, who was top entrant at the event in Chobham Village Hall on Saturday, 19 September.

“Sometimes you are watering to just keep plants alive, so I reduced the number of plants to concentrate on a smaller number.”

Keith, a renowned horticultural judge and speaker, grew his massive onions and exhibition tomatoes in self-watering systems. His giant leeks were grown outdoors in a carefully shaded plot, with careful watering and feeding.

This is the full list of show trophy winners: Centenary Challenge Bowl (highest points), Keith Hine; Norman Roake Memorial Bowl (second highest points), Brian Barr; Reginald Coleman Vase (third highest points), Ann Taylor; Section A Vegetables, Keith Hine; Section C Vegetables, Richard Duke.

Fruit, Sharon Davies; Dahlias, Howard Cooper; Flowers, Keith Hine; Best in Show in Horticultural Classes, Keith Hine; Floral Decoration, Amanda Dunlop; Floral Decoration Best in Show, Amanda Dunlop.

Photography, Sheridan May; Photography Best in Show, Richard Jordan; Handicrafts, Audrey Field and Frankie Vero; Art, Vanessa Page; Cakes and Preserves, Ann Taylor; Wine and Beer, Mark Coxhead; Honey, Angie Hallaways.

Special Classes, Keith Hine; Children’s Classes, Eleanor Riley; Young People 12-17 years, Tom Moqbel; Fun Dog Show, Maisie Coulthard with Elvis.

Silver Dahlia Society Medal, Howard Cooper; Bronze Dahlia Society Medal, Howard Cooper; Banksian Medal, Keith Hine.