The Swift family

MORE entries than ever and hundreds of visitors ensured the annual Thaxted Gardening and Craft Show was a record breaker.

The flower section

The event, held at the United Reformed Church, saw an array of nearly 700 exhibits, while a growing number of visitors came from further afield such as the Sampfords, Radwinter, Saffron Walden and Braintree.

This year Thaxted Primary School supported the show with hundreds of entries, and the schoolchildren’s work was displayed alongside the exhibits in the adults and teenager classes.

“Every child who entered the show was given a packet of seeds and there will be classes next year so they can display the vegetables and flowers,” said a show spokesman.

“The show buzzed with activity. It was full, indeed thronging on occasion, with visitors all chatting, enjoying the magnificent display and swapping ideas and tips for growing, baking and making. There was a fabulous, convivial atmosphere enjoyed by all.”

Organisers are delighted with the success, with the spokesman adding: “Many thanks are due to everyone who has helped with the fundraising for and staging of this year’s show.”