A GARDENER has won a cookery competition after finding a cake recipe and note from his deceased wife on the back of a Wincham, Pickmere and Marston's horticultural society show programme.

Frank Smith, aged 74, of Church Street, Wincham, has won cups for his flowers but had not entered anything since he lost his wife, Marian, two years ago.

He said: "Marian always used to enter the culinary competition and had won on occasion. I haven't felt like entering anything since I lost her but this year decided it was time to get myself sorted out and enter some flowers.

"What really set me off on cooking was a programme for the show with a fruit cake recipe my wife had written inside and on the back a note telling me to mix it well and remember to wash my hands, which she always used to say when I came in from the greenhouse. I really felt as if she was with when I was cooking."

As well as being overall winner in the culinary section, Frank won the flower trophy, the trophy for best exhibit in the floral art section and the trophy for three roses in the flower section, coming away with four cups in total.

Jenny Bate, society secretary said Frank caused quite a stir by entering a cooking competition. She said: "Men usually enter a jar of pickles or something but they don't normally bake like Frank did. He won by two points and got a very good reception."

Mouth-watering vegetables, elegant flowers and dazzling knitting displays jostled to catch the eye of nearly 200 visitors to the show on Saturday, August 16. With 281 exhibits, 50 more than last year, it was a day destined to impress and competition for the prizes was high.

Jenny said: "There were more entries because it was such a good year for flowers, especially roses, and I think it was one of our best shows ever - a really brilliant day."

ecummins@guardiangrp.co.uk