Dedicated Lancaster couple celebrated at village show

The hard work and dedication of a very special couple was celebrated at the 164th Galgate Gaslight Show at Ellel Village Hall.

Barbara and Graham Creer were presented with the Royal Horticultural Society Special Recognition Award for Service.

Barbara first entered the Gaslight Show aged five in 1949 when the show was held in the old Village Institute, now a local garage. Forty years later in 1989, she returned to the village with her husband Graham after living elsewhere.

What started out as helping by carrying a few tables turned into more than 30 years of dedication to the village event, which relies on the hard work of volunteers.

Barbara and Graham have a beautiful garden on Chapel Lane where for many years they sold a range of garden plants in aid of the North West Ambulance Service, and also provided a plant sale stall for the gaslight show. Now aged 82, Barbara is retiring from plant sales after raising more than £1,500 this year.

Barbara and Graham remember a local farmer at Sellerley, who was also a committee member, using his tractor to shift heavy tables for the show. Village traditions stay strong as today it is the new treasurer’s partner, also a local farmer, who brings his tractor along the night before the event to help with the heavy lifting.

This year’s show was busier than ever with a wide range of attractions including the Lancaster Bee Association with their demo hive, an exhibition by local photographer Lee Metcalfe and a café provided by village business Thirteen Bakes.

The trophy for the most points in the children’s section went to Alfred Knowles who was the Best Junior Grower. Sophie Moorhouse once again won the Best Exhibit by a Child for her handmade dress while Freya Devling won Best Child Baker.

In the adult category, most points went to Tony Newton, the village’s expert gardener and also an incredibly hard working former committee member.

Cyril Williams won the Westmorland and North Lancashire Federation of Horticultural Societies Blue Ribbon for the Best Horticultural Exhibit in Show.

Samantha Wood won a special award for the best new grower.

The committee would like to thank all the volunteers who helped out on the day, as well as the judges and stewards, and everyone who put entries into the show.