ELY Horticultural Society s 81st annual show provided a colourful spectacle at the Paradise Centre over the bank holiday weekend. Gerald Rolfe, show secretary, said attendance and exhibitors had increased to the best level in six or seven years, but recen

ELY Horticultural Society's 81st annual show provided a colourful spectacle at the Paradise Centre over the bank holiday weekend.

Gerald Rolfe, show secretary, said attendance and exhibitors had increased to the best level in six or seven years, but recent wet weather had affected displays of dahlias and crysanthemums.

"The cost of everything is going up so more people are growing their own produce," said Mr Rolfe, "we have found it at the allotments association as well - all the Ely allotments are taken up."

One of the crowning glories of the event was on a sporting theme - a floral creation in the mould of the Beijing Olympic stadium - made out of malleable vines with a golden rod to represent the Olympic flame, created by a woman from Bury St Edmunds.

"Everyone who saw it was impressed by an excellent depiction of the Bird's Nest stadium in the flower arranging section," he added. "Also attracting considerable interest was a display stand arranged by the Ely Allotments Association."

The show also included displays of handicrafts, childrens' competitions, photographs and home-made produce.

At the end of the show, president Ian Kearney thanked all those who had taken part or helped behind the scenes in making the show one of the best in recent years.

Winners:

LES MORTON

Royal Horticultural Society Banksian Medal (highest points in horticultural classes)

William Ruane Perpetual Trophy (most points in flower section)

Ely Sports (Flower Show Committee) Commemorative Trophy (best collection of pot plants)

A H Wesley Perpetual Trophy (most points in fuchsia section)

British Fuchsia Society Crested Spoon (best collection fuchsias 13cm pots)

Cyril Palmer Memorial Trophy (best 3 large spikes gladiolus)

Diamond Jubilee Perpetual Trowel (best spike gladiolus)

M Collins Silver Salver (most points in gladiolus section)

British Gladiolus Society Silver Medal (best gladiolus)

British Gladiolus Society Bronze Medal (second best gladiolus)

British Gladiolus Society 2 Tier Blue & White Rosette (best basket of gladiolus)

GRAHAM BOND

A J Fenn Cup (best kept & stocked allotment in Ely)

ROGER DAY

Roy Stubbings Perpetual Trophy (best exhibit in horticultural classes)

A S Lemmon Memorial Trophy (winner dahlia championship class)

The Associations Perpetual Challenge Trophy (best exhibit in dahlia section)

Allotment & Gardens Association Committee Cup (most points in dahlia section)

National Dahlia Society Silver Medal (best exhibit in dahlia section)

PETER FISK

A E Meadows Perpetual Trophy (most points in vegetable section)

The Covill Tankard (winner Master Gardener)

Winner Garden News Top Tray (collection of 3 types of vegetables)

Garden News Perpetual Shield (collection of 5 types of vegetables)

Winner Garden News Top Vase (vase mixed flowering stems)

CHARLIE STOCKER

John Ambrose Trophy (heaviest onion, 2.2kg)

Col W P Cutlack Cup (best collection of vegetables)

National Vegetable Society Silver Medal (most meritorious vegetable)

ANDREW FISK

J D Peel Memorial Trophy (most points in potato classes)

HAROLD WEBB

Pembroke Farm Perpetual Trophy (winner of cactus classes)

Ernie Earnshaw Perpetual Trophy (most points in Carnation classes)

ALICE WARLEY

Lawrence Nurseries Trophy (most points in rose section)

Royal National Rose Society Bronze Medal (best exhibit in rose section)

ALAN JILLINGS

W T Kempton Perpetual Trophy (best pot double tuberous begonia)

Bernard Parker Perpetual Trophy (best two pots of double tuberous begonia)

Begonia Cup (best 3 pots double tuberous begonias)

British Fuchsia Society Blue Rosette (best fuchsia in section)

RON JONES

Walnut Perpetual Trophy (most points in chrysanthemum section)

John Stevens Perpetual Trophy (winner 3 vases chrysanthemums)

Bill Reidy Perpetual Scroll (winner two vases chrysanthemums)

National Chrysanthemum Society Silver Medal (best vase chrysanthemums)

National Chrysanthemum Society Bronze Medal (second best vase chrysanthemums)

RICHARD CANNING

National Dahlia Society Bronze Medal (second best exhibit in dahlia section)

JULIE KITSON

Ron Harrington Perpetual Shield (most points in pelargonium section)

David Bond Perpetual Shield (best pelargonium)

ANN FISK

Mayfair Perpetual Trophy (best floral arrangement)

Hayland Perpetual Trophy (most points in floral arrangements)

ROSEMARY GREEN

Lily Searle Memorial Trophy (best exhibit of handicraft)

KEN HOWARD

C Howes Trophy (best exhibit of woodwork)

RITA BICKELL

George Moden Memorial Trophy (best print in photographic section)

MARGARET WELLS

Waitrose Perpetual Shield (most points in home-made produce section)

CHARLOTTE CAUSTON

Society Challenge Cup (most points in children's classes)

Special Prize courtesy of Mrs J Cole (most points in children's classes)

BARBARA WALLACE

Percy Mott Perpetual Trophy (best exhibit of wine)