THINGS are hotting up in Ascott-under-Wychwood, where the village’s bakers are perfecting their skills, ready for this year’s produce show.

The village will host its annual open gardens event on Saturday, with all proceeds going to the village’s Holy Trinity Church.

And adding some spice – and jam and cream – to this year’s event, will be a grand charity bake-off, designed to produce the yummiest confections the villagers can muster from their kitchens.

Louise Atkinson, one of the show’s organisers said: “We’re thrilled to reveal that this year Wychwood Manor has thrown open its spectacular designer gardens for our event.

“Villagers will be competing fiercely to see who can produce the best Victoria sandwich, scones or shortbread and of course, horticulture.”

She added: “The village’s gardens and allotments are buzzing with excitement as our seasoned gardeners work to encourage onions, French beans and courgettes to be plump and ready in time for the show.

“And our ‘mini-chefs’ are feverishly discussing cupcake recipes and planning the intricacy of their biscuit decorations, with entries pouring in for the ‘garden on a plate’, ‘decorate a flower pot’ and ‘animal made from vegetables’ categories.

“We hope many more people will go on to the village website and enter some of judging classes.”

The Manor, in Shipton Road, has a spectacular walled vegetable garden and its gardeners have been working with villagers to propagate and pot hundreds of plants, which will be on sale during the event.

Visitors to the event, which runs from 2pm to 5pm, can also learn about the history of the garden and explore a children’s trail. The Cotswold’s Children’s Choir will be performing during the afternoon.

More details of the event and entry forms for the flowers, children’s, vegetable and baking classes are available online at ascott-under-wychwood.org.uk. All entry forms must be returned to Karen Purvis, at 15 High Street, Ascott-under-Wychwood, by tomorrow. Entry costs 50p per class.