The Village Show.

Well, it's that time of year again...

Last year's entries were thus:
Three roses in a vase - second place
Lemon curd (made by the girls) - second place
5 eating apples - second
3 cooking apples - second
3 pears - second
...3 herbs in a jar - second
5 sweet peas - third
Coconut and cherry cake - no prize
2 courgettes - no prize

So this year ... (Drum roll...)

5 potatoes (grown in the bin) second prize (new entry for us)
5 tomatoes (various models) no prize (it didn't *say* 'of one variety', but maybe they expected me to do that...)
truss of cherry tomatoes - second prize (new entry for us)
3 cooking apples - second prize (a non-mover)
5 eating apples - no prize (darn - dropped out of the top three this year)
3 pears - second prize (non-mover)
1 squash - third prize (another new entry)
and
wait for it
Bakewell Tart
FIRST PRIZE!
In fact, a Bakewell tart so wonderful that it scored 19/20 points, and the WI judge wanted to take it home with her! IN FACT - it was only just nudged out of the first place (and the prestigious Repton Village Show 'Best produce in Show' cup) by a raspberry jam that ended up with a score of 19.5/20. What an awesome result. Apparently, the raspberry jam judge and the bakewell tart judge had to sample each other's produce in order to settle the debate on which one was worthy of the cup. And all that without ever having referred to the WI handbook on how to perfect your entries for the show.
I have to say, I was pretty chuffed. I should point out that it was, in fact, a joint effort, with the pastry made by matron. The ironic thing is that it was *supposed* to be a task for the girls to do, but they ran out of energy after decorating their cupcakes, so I made the filling and stuff and cooked it. I have to say, I was quite pleased with the outcome, though obviously I couldn't taste it, as I didn't want to spoil it before the show. I did try to buy it back in the auction, but my £3.40 wasn't enough to bag it.
So, not quite as many entries this year, but really chuffed with a first prize. Particularly nice having old dears looking at your baking and saying, 'ooh, that looks lovely'.

We also had a lot of fun (and a lot of mess) decorating cupcakes with the younger girls last night. Our kitchen suffered horribly (as would anyone brave enough to eat the cakes!) but it was good fun to do, and amusing to see the look on the faces of the show organisers when I told them I had ten entries for the '3 decorated fairy cakes' entry in the junior section. They all were awarded 'highly commended'.