Higham’s Horticultural Show is a winner as family and Penny repeat successes

Higham Ferrers Tourism’s recent Horticultural Show was a family affair for Elaine Goold and her children, Freya and Benjamin.

All three took home trophies for being the best in their separate categories, with mum Elaine being crowned the Best Baker, nine-year-old Freya taking the coveted cup for being the Best Junior Baker and seven-year-old Benjamin scooping the trophy in a new category for entering a craft made from Lego.

Both mum and daughter already had their names engraved on their trophies as they won the same categories last year.

But Elaine’s award-winning sticky toffee cake almost did not make it to the show in Higham’s historic Chichele College.

Spying the showpiece cake, topped with a sprinkling of tiny yellow stars, the best baker’s husband Mike was about to take a slice when his wife halted him, explaining that he could not eat it as it had to go in the show the following day.

Ten-year-old Penny Moth, who has her own allotment, once again scooped the trophy for being the Best Junior Gardener.

It is the third year in a row that Penny has impressed the judges with her gardening skills and received the trophy.

Higham Ferrers Tourism’s chairperson, Liz Barnatt, won a trophy too, taking first prize in the floral art category called ‘Reflections’ with a dramatic design in a mirror.

Compère Carol Fitzgerald, told the packed audience that an anonymous adjudicator – who had not known who had submitted entries – had judged the category.

Higham Ferrers Mayor, Cllr Chris O’Rourke, who presented the trophies, said the competition, which had grown over the years, was “absolutely brilliant” and called for a round of applause for the organiser, Pam Webbley.

The other winners were: The Best In Show and Best Preserve: Sue Caulfield-Kearney; Best Craft: Sharon White; Best Flowers and Best Vegetables: James Gell; Best Fruit: Linda Washington.

Photography: Pam Webble