Horticultural show raises hundreds for charity

The horticultural show staged as part of the Sandwell Community Show over the August bank holiday raised almost £400.

And now the Mayor has been given a cheque for £387 for the two causes she is supporting during her year in office -- the children's diabetes department at Sandwell Hospital and the Prostate Cancer Charity.

The cash -- raised mainly by the horticultural show's biggest vegetable competitions and an auction of produce -- was handed over by Lindsey Blakey, secretary of the Sandwell Allotment Gardeners' Association, who ran a 'guess the weight of the pumpkin' competition.

She and fellow association members brought a new dimension to this year's show, promoting allotments and showcasing bees, chickens and a variety of unusual and standard fruit and vegetables grown by plot holders.

Councillor Derek Rowley, Sandwell's cabinet member for neighbourhood services, said: "It's heartening to see so much work put in by allotment holders -- and their willingness to help the Mayor's charities.

"Staff worked hard to put on a great show and to raise money during the auction, and all concerned deserve a big 'thank you'."