IT was a fine affair at this year’s St Gennys Horticultural Show, as the community came out in droves to support this annual event.

The 2024 show saw residents come out in force, getting involved in any way they could. Hundreds of entries were on display, a bumper crop, with entrants spanning far and wide from the homelands of Cornwall to further afield across the west country.

The show was opened by Janey Comber, a long term active member of the parish — working as both a school governor and district councillor. This year she even had the privilege of presenting the Robinson Cup to herself for her entries in the jam classes.

Tables at The Legion Hall were laden with a fine display of home grown fruit and veg, from strings of blackcurrants the size of gooseberries to plump green pods of beans — it’s safe to say this year’s entrants had very green fingers. The children’s section was particularly busy with brightly decorated cakes, animal vegetables and beautiful prose.

In the handicraft section, Lisa Teague spoke about how delighted she was at being able to enter for the show.

She said: “I have been associated with the show since childhood, playing in the hall when my grandmother, Mabel Gliddon was show secretary in the 1980’s.

“This is the first year I have been able to enter, as I always lived outside the district. I am so pleased that the residency restrictions have been removed from the show’s rules.”

Organisers were proud to welcome a number of first-time entrants to this year’s show and are hopeful that next year will bring even more.

As the day progressed, not only was there a variety of mouth watering home cookery on display but plenty of tempting cakes were available for all to try. These were generously provided by a team of volunteers for the traditional afternoon teas — all happily eaten whilst listening to the Silver Band and watching the prize giving ceremony.

A committee spokesperson concluded: “The day was a lovely slice of Cornwall at its best.”