CELEBRATING three quarters of a century as a popular village group, Slimbridge Gardening Club’s annual summer show once again returned this week.

Set up during the Second World War as part of the nationwide Dig for Victory campaign, Slimbridge Gardening Club (then known as Slimbridge Home Food Production Club) has gone from strength to strength with competition at its shows as fierce as ever.

Dozens of people put their produce up for judging on Saturday with winners ranging in age from four to 89.

Harry Evans took home the cup for the most points in the vegetable section with George Tarr doing the best in the flower section with his dahlias and chrysanthemums.

Just one point separated the pair for the most points across all of the categories with Mr Evans taking home the Silver Challenge Cup by just two points.

An enormous marrow entered by Steve House had organisers concerned for the structural integrity of their tables and was far ahead of all the competition in the heaviest marrow category.

Club chairman Carole Jeffes won the Rose Bowl in the flower arranging classes but was just one point ahead of Janet Merrett.

The number of entries in the cookery categories rose once again with a number of new entrants taking part.

After some careful consideration judges awarded Penny Badham first prize for her bread, scones and biscuits and took home the trophy.

The Clifton Cameras Photography Cup was won by Den Bannister and in the Children’s Section Harry Terrett took home the Junior Cup and Freddie Turner the Senior Cup for their pictures.

The summer show is one of two annual events hosted by the club – the other being its spring show – and has been regularly held since the first event on August 29, 1942.

Full results from the show can be found on the club’s website http://slimbridge.pnyhost.com