Leigh-on-Sea Horticultural Society Winter Show 2025

Chrysanths and roses were the stars of the Leigh Horticultural Society Winter Show this week. Show organisers needed to find extra space on the show benches as members arrived with autumn flowers, pot plants, vegetables, floral arrangements, craft items and more.

Michael Horner shone in the chrysanthemum classes, while other flowers included Janet Starkey’s blooming orchid and Lesley Sammon’s cut flowers.

Homecraft was well represented; Maureen Bryson won a Special Award for her tapestry cushion. “The pattern was advertised in the RHS Magazine,” Maureen told the crowd as she collected her award. Kay Odey, Chris Hey and Brenda Lewis also achieved first prizes in the Arts and Crafts classes.

Seasonal exhibits included Sue Butcher’s floral arrangement for Remembrance Sunday, an array of winter squash by Nick Pugh and, from the children, a fabulous display of carved pumpkins. The Society’s Special Award went to Heidi Bennetto for her scary pumpkin. Among the more unusual exhibits were Steve Green’s plump figs and Gillian Warburton’s colourful ornamental cabbage. The public voted on the ‘Winter Wonderland’ floral arrangements, which competed for a £5 first prize.

As ever, the photograph classes were extremely well-supported, providing an entertaining display of views of Leigh, flowers and farm animals. Photographs also featured among the plentiful children’s entries, along with drawings of fireworks, homemade sweets, pot plants and Christmas decorations.

Judith Williams won an award for her marzipan fruits, while she and Lesley Sammon collected ‘Thank you’ gifts for their work on next year’s Centenary Yearbook.