Your local show

[Weeterrier]

In some areas of the country, Horticultural shows are finding the numbers of entries falling, in every category. If you have never thought of entering, why not ask for a schedule for your local show, if you have one?
It is great fun, some of my happiest memories are of show day. With the car packed to capacity with flowers, crafts and baking, I'd set off to the village hall to set everything out. Then back to see if I had won anything. It may just be a little bit of card to take home, perhaps a rosette, but that doesn't matter.
To keep something going, which has been in existence for decades is very satisfying, and it would be a shame if such shows were to die out.
Why not give it a try? There are many very talented people on here.

[farmersboy]

Yes Wee,ive done that,its exciteing going back and seeing if youve won,ive had several 1sts,we won money,(Jenny take note)
Our show was on August Bank holiday Monday,i stopped doing it cos it clashed with harvest time on the farm,working late at night i never had time to get my stuff ready,suppose i could start again,now im retired

[borderbabe]

HI WT - local shows are great fun I go in for a couple in my area every year. In the past I've also been Show Secretary for local garden clubs - its a lot of hard work but looking a the tables before the judges come in makes it all worthwhile.

To anyone thinking of having a go I would say give it your best shot. ;D

[Chuckles]

Apr 18, 2008 8:58:56 GMT Weeterrier said:

In some areas of the country, Horticultural shows are finding the numbers of entries falling, in every category. If you have never thought of entering, why not ask for a schedule for your local show, if you have one?
It is great fun, some of my happiest memories are of show day. With the car packed to capacity with flowers, crafts and baking, I'd set off to the village hall to set everything out. Then back to see if I had won anything. It may just be a little bit of card to take home, perhaps a rosette, but that doesn't matter.
To keep something going, which has been in existence for decades is very satisfying, and it would be a shame if such shows were to die out.
Why not give it a try? There are many very talented people on here.

Oh yes Wee I recall village shows in years gone by. What a shame these things do seem to have dwindled off, village life is very different these days isn't it. Saying that I suppose these sort of events also exist in towns too. Be interesting to hear if any members have them or partake in such events, confess I've not, not really sure what does happen locally anymore tbo will have to ask MIL (the oracle) ;D

[Barbara]

the allotments down the road from us have a show on august bank holiday weekend,
we go if we dont have anything more important to do.

[MamIDdau]

We have a village show every year, think it's normally the first weekend in August but it's not really that kind of show. It's more like some stalls, entertainment and lil competitions. It's a good day out though.

[Weeterrier]

Ours is on the Saturday of the Bank Holiday weekend too.
Glad some of you enter.

[Plocket]

I don't think we have a local show

We used to go to one where my aunt lived, in Hartfield, and it was great fun. I like the home grown fruit and vegetables, and the childrens' entries.

[Weeterrier]

I had just decided that I should join my local Horticultural Society. At the moment, I enter the one in the village I used to live in. But my local one is now defunct, lack of members, judges, everything. This used to be a thriving society, so I was shocked to realise just how bad things have become. I don't think younger people realise just how much fun there is in joining in. And by younger, I mean under 80
Then last night, I got a phone call from another village asking if I would judge the Cut Flower section at their show. There are so few certified judges on the list now, that I am the best they could find.
I won't be able to enter the flower section, but I'm determined to try to enter the baking and crafts. I'd be so sorry to see these shows die too.
So Ill be judging on the last two Saturdays in August. I cannot wait. ;D

[Deleted]

I moved into our village 3 years ago, Ive taken advantage of the clubs plant sale and thought I ought to put something back. Joined the club to find out I am their youngest member!!!!!
Last year entered the show, what great fun, great day too, sat at home wondering if I'd won anything, got back to find I'd won some certificates and won £25 for designing a new sign for our local village shop!!!
You wait til this year, I've planted loads of stuff with the show in mind and will be entering one of my corsets (i mean made by me) in a class, that should make a stir lol
If you have a show, go on enter!!!!!

[Dutchy]

Ah but then you should also post a pic of it on here and let us know what they thought Manic.
No such thing as club shows around here.
I am a member of our local RHS equivalent but local boils down to at least half the Province.
And I am on the edge of the included area.
Oh well the plant swap is always nearby ;D

[Jasmine]

We have a Spring and Summer Village Show and I know the committee are very keen for as many people as possible to join in as entries have fallen over the years. My 2 boys enjoy entering the children's section of the show and one of them won a little trophy one year. We missed this year's Spring Show but we will join in with the Summer Show. There is always a brass band playing and a ferret racing stall, it is like a mini fete and horticultural show all in one.

[Ruthie]

Our "Village" is really only a Hamlet, although it's spead over quite a large area. We don't have a Garden Society or a show. The next village does have one but I've never joined. Perhaps that's something to think about now I have decided to leave work.

I entered a horticultural show many years ago. It was on my Birthday and was in a town where I had lived as a child. A friend of mine was a committee member. I entered two Streptocarpus, one white, one red and got 1st and 3rd!!!!!!

My friend never forgave me really as his entries got nowhere. I was never invited again..............

[Weeterrier]

That's heartening to know that some of you enter your shows, and agree with me that it's really great fun.
Ruthie, some shows used to be exclusively for residents in a particular village, but with numbers falling, they have become "Open" meaning anyone can exhibit. From what I have seen of you, I think you would be hooked in no time. I can see you winning the "One vase herbaceous" class

Borderbabe..........Looking at the tables fill up, all the buzz and excitement, and the smell, it is all lovely, isn't it? But it is hard work.
Are there still plenty of judges where you are, or do you have difficulty finding them too?

If any of you enter again, will you post photos?

[carolann]

I am going to join our local society this year, I have been to lots of their shows and I always enjoy seeing what everyone enters so this year I'm going to have a go with my veggies if I have any ready in time.

[Weeterrier]

Try to get the schedule ASAP, because we have classes like "One herb in a pot" or "Collection of cut herbs" which don't rely on timing quite so much. Or on four items being identical

BTW, I have just received my RHS handbook which I need for judging, but it gives info. for exhibiting too. So if any of you want to know what the judges will be looking for, let me know.
For example, Gladioli should have one third of the stem with fully open florets, one third semi-open and one third closed. No flowers removed and the stem shouldn't list to one side. Though that would be perfect, and the standard of little shows might not reach those dizzy heights.
In some classes, I have had to think "Which one has the fewest holes in the leaves?" ;D