Flowers, big veg and the master of animation

WALLACE and Gromit would have been proud of the giant marrows and pumpkins on display at Westbury-on-Trym's 30th annual flower show, so it was fitting that Aardman founder Peter Lord opened the event.

More than 100 people exhibited in more than 100 categories at the show, which was held in the village hall in Eastfield Road.

Mr Lord called the show, which had a Wallace and Gromit theme, "the very best of British".

He said: "There are so many wonderful things here. It's a little bit humbling for me to be in the presence of so many exceptionally talented gardeners.

"I am not a successful gardener. Some people put hundreds of hours of hard work into their gardens. Some use science. Some use flair.

"To me, gardening is like the Vietnam War, a constant battle against an indigenous foe that you cannot see but will reclaim the garden: the slug."

Among the awards were prizes for the best runner beans, apples, herbs, flowering plants, the heaviest marrow, the longest stick of rhubarb and the best pot of chutney.

In more unusual categories were awards for best Lego vehicle, the best wearable, edible necklace made from garden produce, and the best misshapen vegetable.

The oversize vegetable section was renamed "Gromit's big is beautiful", there were Wallace and Gromit colouring competitions for children and a class where youngsters could invent a new character for Aardman.

Staff from Lawrence Weston community farm brought along lambs and local produce, and a brass band played tunes from Wallace and Gromit films.

Mr Lord said that Wallace loved his giant marrows so would have been particularly proud of those exhibits.

He also paid tribute to Debbie Price who had designed a Wallace and Gromit cake for the raffle, and handed a bouquet of flowers to Nancy Perry who has sat on the organising committee of the show for all its 30 years.

Committee member Jane Voke said: "The show has gone exceptionally well this year. It is a great honour to have Peter Lord with us. People really took to the Aardman theme, especially the miniature gardens in Plasticine, and Peter even said that he could give Debbie a job her cake was so good."

Profits from the event go to the village hall.