BUDE WI was pleased to pick up the Royal Cornwall Show Cup for 2017.

Organised by the floral art and gardening sub committee, the theme for the show cup entries this year was ‘Home Sweet Home’.

WIs were invited to enter a staged exhibit reflecting the theme, including a cottage loaf, floral art and a backdrop of a view from the window.

There were also awards for the best cookery, craft and floral art in the classes, with the Yvonne Toms Award for ‘Best Craft’ going to Jeanette Orr and Jean Coombe of Bude WI.

President of Bude WI, Cynthia May, said: “It is the first time Bude have ever won it. Last year we were third and really pleased with that. I am thrilled for the ladies themselves, the five ladies that have put the work in, and for the whole of Bude WI.”

Cynthia explained many hours of work went into the exhibit: “The ladies that made the sampler quilt must have put 24 to 30 hours to it. It was truly outstanding.

“I just felt so proud to be able to receive the trophy, to pick up the trophy for Bude WI and bring it back to North Cornwall. It was worth getting wet in the rain for!

“There were 31 entries all together. To get two special awards plus the overall I thought was a huge achievement.”

St Breward WI members also saw success at this year’s show. Linda Sykes was awarded the Barbara Reed Trophy for a cushion with a floral theme.

She said on being awarded the trophy: “I was amazed! I couldn’t believe it actually. I know from previous years the standard is so high. There are some very talented people in Cornwall — lots of different talents across the board with the baking and painting and sewing.”

St Breward WI president Frances Calver won the Penponds Cup in the floral exhibits.

She said: “You try your best but you never know whether the judges are going to like what you are doing. I won the novice cup two years ago, wasn’t able to compete last year, wasn’t allowed to go in the novice competition again, so I didn’t really know what the standard was like on this section.

“The schedule — ‘Family Celebration’ — caught my imagination and it was quite a wide scope for choosing a subject. I’ve got two comparatively young granddaughters and had their Christening flowers anyway, so thought I would have a go. It all came together.

“I was really pleased and gather I got best in show, the judges must have thought it stood up to the rest of the entries.”

WI Federation vice chairman Julia Havard was overseeing the WI marquee alongside fellow vice chairman Margaret Johnson.

Julia said: “The standard of the work for these competitions is absolutely first rate and we are all just delighted and proud that our members created this wonderful work of such a high and professional standard. It’s very well appreciated by everybody who’s coming round and viewing it.”

Margaret added: “It’s one of the biggest events of the year when we get to show Cornwall and visitors what the WI is about.”