The event, which took place all afternoon in the village hall, was full of colourful sights and fragrant scents.

Member Paul Harris said: “The weather-conscious gardener could immediately marvel at the resilience of the roses, the first flowers to greet the eye, for they had by some miracle survived in all their beauty the midweek deluge.”

There was a strong emphasis on fruit and vegetables this year. Mr Harris said: “Fruit and vegetables were accommodated in thirty classes, and what took the eye was the space taken by the potatoes, all washed and looking good enough to frame and too good to eat.

“No doubt the current food situation might encourage more gardeners to reclaim their lawns to produce a crop of potatoes, a plant that will at least tolerate the acidity of our greensand soil.”

An innovation this year was the photography competition entitled ‘My Favourite Flower’, which captured members’ favourites in all their glory.

On display in the small hall, alongside the tea and cakes, was an exhibition of herbs grown by children in the primary school with the help of some of the Grayshott Gardeners. The entries were from each age group which ranged from five to eleven years. The seeds were planted at school and grown at home.

The five-year-olds were asked to grow basil and the 11-year-olds chives, and entries were judged on the quality of the plants and the originality of the containers.

Next up for the Grayshott Gardeners is an open evening with supper, to be held at the village hall on August 13 from 7.30-10pm. Pre-booking is essential and tickets can be obtained from Anne Waddell on 01428 604714.