The West Kilbride Horticultural Society committee has confirmed that because of the continuing coronavirus restrictions, the Summer Show scheduled for Saturday, August 15 has been cancelled.

It is hoped the Spring and Summer Shows will be held as normal next year in March and August when the committee will look forward to welcoming exhibitors and visitors back again.

Many local Horticultural Society Shows around the country have been cancelled this year, however lockdown people have been renewing their interests in gardening activities and handicrafts, giving the society hope that in 2021, it will be an even better year for exhibits and the Society.

The Society had various special ideas for exhibitors this year, including a “Tattiebogle” competition starting at the Spring Show where competitors would get a bucket and potatoes to grow in it through the summer with the winner of the heaviest crop then announced at the Summer Show this month and given suitable recognition (as West Kilbride has traditionally been known as the “Tattie Toon” because of the popularity of the local Ayrshire produce).

Sadly, all ideas had to be cancelled this year, but hopefully the society will hope to announce initiatives again next year and that the Shows will be resumed.

John Kerr, president of the society said: “It is very disappointing and with great regret that we had to cancel both of this year’s Horticultural Shows, but in the present circumstances we had no other option.

“The Society has held Shows every year since the end of the 2nd world war and are much loved and well supported by the village.

Hopefully we will be back in the Spring of 2021.”