Saturday 14th August saw the gathering of the wide variety that makers up The Framfield and Blackboys Summer Show held on the recreation ground and in the memorial hall in Framfield. While the weather initially assaulted the guests, it later cleared to leave a warm afternoon with much to entertain the family. So a VERY BIG THANK YOU must go to all those people who braved the weather to attend and enter into the spirit of this quintessentially English summer event as well as all the helpers who took entry money, staffed stalls or completed the many varied roles required that resulted in a hugely successful show.

There were more exhibits entered than in recent years (586 in 127 classes) with the spirit of “grow your own” giving more people than ever the opportunity to just “give it a go” in the Novice Section as well as some stunning exhibits from the more experienced growers. Despite the difficult growing season there were many magnificent specimens of vegetables and some spectacular flowers. The children’s entries were wide and varied from a decorated vegetable whale to artwork and photography. A mouth-watering array of cooked products kept the judges busy for a good few hours deciding where to award the prizes. The photography featured many stunning images of the snow earlier in the year and some creative handicrafts graced the tables in the hall as always.

On the field the Pimm’s tent was a vision of colour and offered a selection of summer drinks under cover to ward off the ill effects of the weather. Framfield Football Club provided sustenance from their barbeque as well as much assistance in setting up the show before it opened. “All those who gave their time to ensure the smooth running of the show need an huge thank you,” said Jenny Bacon, chair of the Summer Show Committee. We are grateful to the NFU Mutual for so generously sponsoring the show and to KSV for kindly donating the teas and coffees for the refreshment tent.

The Heathfield Brass Band provided a musical backdrop to the afternoon, while Mrs Back To Front yet again kept those younger visitors fully amused. The whole afternoon was kept moving along by the commentary of Nigel Cassford. Maria Naylor of Brook House Farm brought along one of her saddleback sows and piglets and at the end of the day the pig was let loose into the arena for our first hugely successful “Pig Pat Treasure Map” with all squares sold and a £20 prize for purchasing that winning square where the pig “dropped its marker”.
The Fun Dog Show attracted the usual range of excited if increasingly damp participants, both human and canine, with all manner of sizes and tails extensively wagged (as there was a prize for that!) with the Best in Shows being Alan Tubb with Magic (Welsh Springer) and Chris Belton with Harvey (Lurcher).

The ever-popular plate smashing, hoopla as well as the now firm favourite terrier racing all took place despite the rain. The winners of the bowling receiving a voucher for a 'leg of lamb' kindly donated by TW Hopkins of Blackboys and the welly-wanging organised by Framfield School PTA receiving vouchers for dinner for two at Buxted Manor. The wheelbarrow racing in the barrows donated by Windmill Feeds of Cross-in-Hand was exciting with some slippery cornering at the turn.
Given the weather, Terry Everitt from the organising committee for the show said “We are hugely grateful to Grassroots for the £5000 grant that allowed the purchase of solid large marquees to provide much needed shelter and they were clearly much appreciated by many!”

Finally, the Framfield & Blackboys Horticultural Society have organized the show for many years, over that time the show has grown and evolved into a wonderful community event and whilst the Society wish to support and be part of the show, they no longer feel able to run the entire event and are seeking help and guidance from the people of Framfield, Blackboys and Palehouse common as to how we might keep our now classic English Summer show to continue its success. We'd like as many groups and parishioners as possible to be part of this discussion. So please do come on Monday 13th September 2010 at 8pm in the Framfield Memorial Hall.