DJ David Hamilton brings old friend back to Rudgwick to open summer show

Celebrity DJ ‘Diddy’ David Hamilton brought an old friend as he opened the 70th Ellens Green and Rudgwick Gardening Association Summer Show.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Jul 2015, 16:00 BST
David Hamilton and Daisy Hare. Photos by Mike Hall/Kate RobertsonDavid Hamilton and Daisy Hare. Photos by Mike Hall/Kate Robertson
David Hamilton and Daisy Hare. Photos by Mike Hall/Kate Robertson

The former Radio One DJ was accompanied by 94-year-old Daisy Hare, who worked on his father’s farm in Rudgwick during the Second World War.

Daisy, who now lives in Cheshire, brought her daughter and granddaughter to share her memories of Rudgwick with them and with wellwishers at the show on Saturday (July 11).

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David was a small boy when Daisy lived on the farm but he remembered her time there with great affection.

He said: “I was very fond of Daisy when I was a little boy and we had great fun but even she was a bit put out when I popped a field mouse down the neck of her shirt. I’ve promised not to do it again!”

Michael Clarke, EG&RGA chairman, said how pleased he was to welcome not only David but also Daisy to the association’s 70th birthday.

In 1945 when the association was formed, food was scarce and every acre of available land was cultivated to produce edible crops. Land girls such as Daisy were a tremendous asset to the community, working long, hard hours with the farmers to ensure that Britain had food.

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In the show’s exhibition marquee there were some beautiful flowering exhibits, vegetables and fruit, exquisite handicrafts, and home fare. Vera Clarke entered a perfectly iced 70th birthday cake which depicted the exhibition marquee, complete with bunting.

The Crawley Millennium Band played songs from the shows and the 1940s and children enjoyed Punch and Judy and egg and spoon races.

David Hamilton presented the prizes and Daisy and her family returned home with happy new memories of Rudgwick and Ellens Green.

Prizewinners

The Lady Silkin Perpetual Cup: Ian Clemens

The R.G. Tullet Perpetual Memorial Cup: Ian Clemens

The Rudgwick Rose Bowl: Lou Liddicott

The Napper Perpetual memorial Bowl: Dave Ockenden

The Magpies Cup: Chris Westbrook

The Frank Howard Memorial Trophy: Joan Pye

The Association Perpetual Cup: Jean Lawrence

The Lady Silkin Ladies Cup: Maeve Filby

The Cecilia Butcher Trophy: Carol Tampin

The Children’s Perpetual Cup: Isla Saker

The Harry Jelley Memorial Cup: Lucy Tanner

The RHS Banksian Medal: Dave Ockenden

The Gatwick Airport Community Trust Plate: Chris Westbrook

The Rudgwick Tug-of-War Plate: “Sons of Thunder”