AFTER two years when East Lothian Horticultural Society’s annual show could not be held due to Covid-19, the county’s growers and crafters enthusiastically gathered in the hall in the Aubigny Sports Centre in Haddington on Saturday.

This year, the show was not held in its traditional home of Haddington’s Corn Exchange, which is currently in use as a vaccination centre.

Opening the show, East Lothian Provost John McMillan congratulated the organisers and exhibitors on putting on a good show despite an exceptionally dry summer.

Cut flower entries were down due to the drought but the show still filled the large hall with floral colour and seasonal produce.

This year, the Poldrate Quilters and Lammermuir stick dressers both mounted splendid displays of their skills, which greatly enhanced the show.

The universal appeal of growing was demonstrated by the age range of exhibitors, with Alex Swanston from Ormiston winning the chrysanthemum classes at the tender age of 101, while 10-year old Hamish Cooper from Haddington, 91 years Alex’s junior, won seven medals in the children’s section.

Main section winners were: flowers: Jim Dickson; fuchsias: Willie Punton, pot plants: Stan da Prato; fruit: Ron Pearman; vegetables: Ron Pearman; floral art: Emily Armatage; handwork: Margaret Reid; bakery: Margaret Reid; photography: Lesley Slyth; children: Hamish Cooper. Gordon Mitchell won five trophies for dahlias. Stan da Prato won the Coronation Cup for most firsts in the show.

It is hoped that the Corn Exchange will be available in 2023, when the East Lothian show may also host the Scottish National Vegetable Show.