PENSIONER Albert Short swept the board at Doddington Horticultural Society s 62nd annual summer show on Saturday. Eighty-five-year-old Albert who is the society s president won five major prizes with his magnificent fruit and vegetables. Albert of Peyton

PENSIONER Albert Short swept the board at Doddington Horticultural Society's 62nd annual summer show on Saturday.

Eighty-five-year-old Albert who is the society's president won five major prizes with his magnificent fruit and vegetables.

Albert of Peyton Close grows his produce on an allotment near his bungalow and last week was predicting that despite the uncertain weather he thought his onions were the best he had ever grown.

But overall entries to the show were down on previous years. Society secretary Lyne Green said: "Entries were down this year by 141 to 682. The adult sections were down from 549 to 459 and the children's from 274 to 223.

"This was very disappointing but may have been due to the weather, especially in the flower section. To help encourage the children for next year it is proposed to hold some workshops during school holidays and these will be advertised nearer the time, so children can come and join us for hobby days."

Despite the reduced number of entries, the village hall was packed for the show with residents and visitors taking a keen interest in the fierce competition.

Prizes were presented by the Rev Val Fernandez, priest at Doddington, Benwick and Wimblington.

Judges were: Fruit and Vegetable Section - Mr G. Frost of March; Cookery and Preserves -Mrs Townsin and Mrs Higgs of Sutton; Handicrafts - Mrs L. Storey of March; Flowers - Mr J. Overvorde of Doddington; Adult Art and Children's Sections -Mr Cheale of March and Floral Art - Mrs Ann Purt of Wisbech.

The main raffle prize of £50 was won by Mr Knott of Doddington. There were about 30 other prizes. Winners included: Guess the birthday of the Teddy, Charlie Graham - Cameron; Cake, Mrs Snowden of Doddington; Sweets in a Flower Vase, Mr K. Owen of Doddington; Children's sweets, Keira Lawrence of West Walton; string on a bottle of spirit, Mr Dean Howard of Doddington.

Trophy winners were: Short Family Shield for Vegetable Section, Albert Short; Best Vegetable in Section donated by The Dack Family, Albert Short; C.R Clarke Annual Memorial Shield for Fruit Section, Albert Short; Don Hipkin Cup for Flower Section, Christine Beart; The Watson Family Cup for Best Flower in Show, P. Richardson; John Yorke Annual Memorial Cup for Class 38, Vase of Sweet Peas, Mrs A. Hart; Payne Family Shield for Class 45, Hybrid Tea Rose, Christine Beart; Eric Mason Memorial Cup for Class 48, Bowl of Roses, P.Richardson; Bester Annual Memorial Cup for Class 49, Best Fuchsia, Albert Short; Elmore Family Shield for Floral Art Section, Sally Howard; Ellington/Bamford Challenge Cup for Adult Art Section, I. Knott; Home Guard Shield for Cookery and Preserves Section, Eileen Bamford; Best in Cookery Section donated in memory of Mary Jackson, E. Bamford; Archer Shield for Handicrafts Section, Doreen Davis; Emma Ellington Annual Memorial Cup for Best Needlework Article, Beryl Frances; Welsh Family Annual Challenge Cup for Top Girl 7 years and under, Rachel Williams; Boyden Family Annual Challenge Cup for Top Boy 7 years and under, Ross and Elliott Groves; Southon Family Annual Memorial Cup for Top Overall in 7 years and under, Rachel Williams; Aubrey and Doris Negus Cup for Top Girl 8 to 11 years, Charlotte Thompson; Jackson Annual Memorial Cup for Top Boy 8 to 11 years, Lewis Watson; Fenland Citizen Cup for Top Overall 8 to 11 years, Charlotte Thompson; Geoffrey Harper Shield for Top Girl 12 to 16 years, Lucy Howard; Edwards Shield for Top Boy 12 to 16 years, Edward Elmore; Fenland Citizen Cup for Top Overall 12 to 16 years, Edward Elmore; Bill and Olive Dickerson Shield for Adult with most points in Show, Albert Short; Emmett Family Shield for Child with most points in Show, Edward Elmore.

Each year Garden News donates Prizes for Top Vase and these were won by: 1st (£10 voucher), Lucy Howard; 2nd (£5 voucher), Karen Watson; 3rd (£3 voucher) - C. Beart.