Katikati A&P goes from strength to strength

The Home Industries trophy table at the A&P Show.

Exhibitor numbers were well up on last year's Home Industries Competition at the Katikati A&P Show and the number of exhibits were also up, with exhibitors eager to showcase their produce or handcrafts.

This year 99 exhibitors entered 407 exhibits and the standard, as well as the enthusiasm, was high.

Although the under five-year-olds were not represented this year, the five-year-old to 16-year-old entries were well up.

"This bodes very well for the future of home industries," says Sue Couper, who along with Kay Still and Lizzie Partington, is one of the principal organisers of the home industries competition.

"It was very thrilling to have more children enter the competition and the standard was very high. Children created stunning miniature gardens, gingerbread men, decorated eggs, vegetable and fruit critters, painted pet rocks, decorated cupcakes, knitting, gift cards and artwork," she said.

"Families supported each other and the competition and the crowds were buzzing! It was great to see many 'new' people enter, as well as the seasoned ones".

Competition was strong among many local families. Hamish, Ben and Charlotte Tanner won a total of 14 certificates, ribbons and prizes in the children's sections.

The adult competition was keenly contested with well-grown vegetables and flowers, beautiful baking, jams, pickles and preserves and exquisite handcraft.

Sue said special thanks goes to the judges for a difficult job. They included gardening gurus Bill Ward and Mike Taylor, bakers Wendy Bruning and Jennifer Tigchelaar, jam, pickle and preserve experts Dena McAlpine and Jenni Burgess and talented handwork and art work teacher Beryl Denton.

The many Katikati sponsors were also thanked.

Crowds were attracted throughout the day to watch exhibitions by Pahoia Creative Fibre, Katikati's Herb Infused Oils, Tree Crops NZ and the creations made by Katikati Stitch Group.

Results: Supreme Champions (most points in each section). Children: Bingham Cup (5-9 years) - Charlotte Tanner; Sarah Atkins Challenge Cup (10-16 years) - Hamish Tanner; Excellence Cup (special award) - Hamish Tanner.

Adults: WDFF Tray-jams, pickles and preserves section - Diane Hart; Cole Challenge trophy - produce section: Stewart Couper; ER & EG Chamberlain Challenge Trophy Baking Section: Angie Lund; VMR Boyd Challenge Trophy Handcraft Section: Anita Rapson; Katikati CWI trophy - Flowers section: Noeline Boyle; St Peter's trophy - Champion Bloom: Pauline McCowan.