The suspense was over and the day we had all been waiting for had arrived. Yes, the Payhembury Village Show schedules were on the shelves of the shop. A new time of year, a new committee – so what was in store? Had tradition been thrown to the wind and did the famous cookery classes now include new-fangled trendy dishes such as Pigs trotters in cider on a bed of sweetbreads, deconstructed black forest gateau, 10 exotic fruits marmalade? Heaven forbid. Anxiously, I scrolled through the schedule and at a first glance, all seemed fine. But, and this was a very big “BUT” for me – had the class which had eluded me for 22 years been included? It was there, looking at me in what seemed bold, capital letters, Class No. 32 “Lemon Curd”. Those 2 words brought on a hot flush and a moment of weakness as I recalled years of trying and hoping to win this class. It was my nemesis. But in the weeks that followed before the entries were due in, I had the good fortune to meet up with the wonderful lady who had taken the coveted title for years – Louise Granger. We chatted away and both mentioned the good news that the Show was to go ahead. Laughing, (nervously), I slipped into the conversation that I supposed
she would be taking the crown once more for her amazing Lemon Curd! Her reply shook me to the core – Louise had decided not to enter. Was this my year, could it be my time at last?
The lemons were from the shop, the eggs so fresh they were still warm from my gorgeous chickens. So much care and love were poured into that saucepan. It set beautifully, the colour was amazing, the cloth top cut carefully with pinking shears set the scene.
The day arrived and it was so good to be back in the hall displaying our wares. The entries were amazing and all doubts about the success or otherwise of a Show in September rather than March, were blown out of the window. I could do no more. The hours between carefully placing my pot of “gold nectar” on that table and 14.30 when we could go back to see the results seemed endless. As I drove to the village, the tension increased – was 2022 my year? It was not to be, as 1st prize had elluded me again – a very respectable 3rd (even my Rosette was yellow). Oh, for heaven’s sake!!!! The class was a large one, so I was silently pleased. I think everyone knew it was my nemesis and when Sue Barbour sidled up to me having won 1st prize, in true village style she offered me her recipe. Honestly, we laughed so much.
The Payhembury Show brings out the best in everyone and a huge thankyou is due to the committee for believing that “The Show must go on”. It was a huge success. Just one request please. I am not deterred, so can we have a class for Lemon Curd again next year! Thank you to you all.
PS. I’m, going to buy a real lemon tree…. that should clinch it!
Janet East
