THE mini Spring Show at Purleigh Gardeners' meeting on Wednesday April 9 had a good number of exhibits of a high standard considering the recent weather conditions. Members were disappointed that, at the last moment, John Grimes was unable to judge, and were grateful to member Len Wakelin for taking on this task.

During judging members took part in a gardening quiz organized by John Challis. Winners, with a score of 41 out of a possible 50 points, were Beryl and David Cranmer, Barry and Elaine Newman and Corinne Layton who were each presented with a large bunch of daffodils grown by Lawrence Cooper.

Winners were :- Three trumpet daffodils, Lawrence Cooper, John Aldridge, Glenys Hopkins Three cup daffodils, John Aldridge, Doreen Madge, Pauline Potter One double daffodil, David Hopkins, Doreen Madge, Glenys Hopkins One multi-headed narcissi, David Hopkins, Glenys Hopkins, John Bowyer Three Pheasant Eye narcissi, Di Johnson Three primroses of polyanthus, Joyce Bowyer, Di. Johnson, Kay Martin Three tulips, Glenys Hopkins, Joan Bartholomew, David Hopkins Spray of flowering shrub, David Hopkins, John Bowyer, Brian Gore One spray foliage, Doreen Madge, Glenys Hopkins, John Aldridge Collection of six small flowers under 7ins, John Aldridge, John Bowyer, Barry Cranmer Pot Plant,John Challis, Glenys Hopkins, John Bowyer Six Spring flowers, Jill Gore, Rosie Paul, John Aldridge Three stems of rhubarb, David Hopkins, Doreen Madge, Di. Johnson Spring flower arrangement, Chris Shaw, Glenys Hopkins, Vi Bloomfield.

Len Wakelin gave a brief comment on each class and awarded the Best in Show to John Aldridge for a vase of daffodils - John was hugely embarrassed as he had presented the cup to the club only last year and he was the first member to win it!

CROQUET CLUB

PURLEIGH Croquet Club starts the new season on Wednesday April 23, St. George's Day. The session runs from 10am to 1pm and visitors are warmly welcomed.

Mallets can be hired for a playing day for 50p and if you wish, you can be helped by one of the club members, you can attend for three sessions as a visitor, before you are asked to join the club. Croquet is a very social game, played in a friendly atmosphere and also good exercise, plus there is a tea break when you can chat to other players.

For more information, ring John Carney on 01621 850254.

FRIENDS OF PURLEIGH CHURCH

THE Annual Meeting of the FOPC will be held in the Cock Clarks Room on Wednesday 21 May at 8pm.

PURLEIGH WOMENS INSTITUTE

At the WI. Meeting on Thursday April 10 Suzanne Gaywood gave a most interesting account of organizing and doing her flower arrangements at the Chelsea flower Show. As she comes from Grenada only flowers from there are used for her exhibit and in this way she advertises the beauty of this wonderfully sunny country.

The tourist board helps her to arrange transport for the flowers as it appreciates the publicity. She brought along photo albums showing each year's exhibit from start to finish. Her most famous one depicted the hurricane which hit Grenada and Princess Anne stopped and chatted about the arrangement. The competition for a Spring Flower was won by Jean Ostler with a Crown Imperial Lily, followed by Sue MacEwen and Margot Roll.

Every Institute in Essex is being asked to organize a raffle for a special mug, the funds raised will be used to re-furbish the Essex bedroom at Denman College, Peggy Madge was the lucky winner. The raffle raised £42.

Mrs. Turner invited members to a coffee morning being held on Friday April 25 from 10am - noon at Thornhill, Purleigh, in aid of the M.S. Society.