There was more than just a clash of seasonal shades at Hayes Horticultural Society’s autumn show at Hayes Village Hall on Saturday, September 5. but a battle between Alan Cheeseman and Doug Wingrave for the champions’ cups, with a whisker thin advantage of between half and three points dividing them in two cases.

With the former walking away with trophies both in the dahlia and cut flower classes in the spring and autumn shows, as well as the member gaining the highest number of points that day, it was left to Doug’s allotment skills to win the cup for the most points in the vegetable classes and a certificate of merit for fruit.

Brian Everest proved his chrysanthemum growing prowess by winning two cups and a certificate of merit; Cathy Cheeseman likewise won the cup for dahlias in the novice to intermediate classes and Mary Turner a certificate of merit in the flower classes.

Helen Cordingley won the trophy in the domestic classes, which covered everything from beetroot relish to a colour print of a church, while Kas took the floral art trophy. Hannah Mortimer was the trophy winner in the junior classes.

The chrysanthemum show, the last of the year, is on Saturday, November 7, at Hayes Village Hall. Doors open 2.30pm.