Schedules
Show Rules
- All shows are open to members and non members of the society. There are no entry fees for any classes.
- Details of closing times for entries and times of staging are shown on each show schedule. Entries may be given in writing, by email or over the telephone to the Show Secretary.
- Where relevant, exhibits must have been grown by the exhibitor for three months, unless grown from seed in less time. The rule does not apply to flowers used in flower arrangement classes.
- No-one shall enter more than one exhibit in any one class, except in an Any Other Vegetable or Any Other Fruit class. There will be no limit to the prizes one competitor may win.
- Members of the same family living in the same household are eligible to exhibit in the same class.
- Number of exhibits required in collections and groups are listed in this schedule.
- All exhibits should be named as far as possible.
- Society vases must be used for all flower exhibits excluding floral art or where otherwise noted in the Schedule. Exhibitors using the Society’s vases will, at the close of the Show, be responsible for emptying the vases and returning to a committee member.
- Exhibitors must comply with these Rules and any other regulations that the
Committee may put in place to assist with the running of a Show. Interference with another exhibitor’s materials is not allowed. - The decision of the judges shall be final, and they may withhold or modify any prize. The committee may, on the recommendation of the judges, award extra prizes in any class.
- All cups and trophies remain the property of the Society and must be returned to the Show Secretary at least a week prior to the next show date (or on request).
- In the event of a complaint or protest, any member or exhibitor may notify the Show Secretary is writing within one hour of the Show being opened to the public. A deposit of £1 will be payable, which will be forfeited at the discretion of the Committee unless the protest is substantiated. The decision of the Committee shall be final.
- The Society will not hold itself responsible for any loss or damage to the exhibits.
- All exhibitors accept that their names may be publicised.
- Additional Rules for the flower arrangement classes are included in this schedule.
Rules for flower arranging classes
- Arrangements may be assembled either at the show or elsewhere but must be the work of the exhibitor only.
- All arrangements must be of fresh plant material unless otherwise stated in the schedule and cut ends should be in water or water-retaining material. Dried, artificial or artificially coloured material may not be used unless otherwise stated in the schedule.
- Unless otherwise stated in the schedule, arrangements will stand in alcoves measuring 90cm high x 60cm wide x approx. 60cm deep (3’ x 2’ x 2’). Where arrangements are to stand on open tabling, dimensions will be given in the schedule for width and depth, and height will be unrestricted.
- Drapes and accessories may NOT be used unless otherwise stated.
- The judge’s decision will be final at all shows and they may withhold or modify any prize. Additional prizes may be awarded on the judge’s recommendation.
- These rules do not apply to children’s flower arrangements. These can be any size and will be staged on open tabling.
Hints for Novice / New Exhibitors
- Flowers: Cut in the evening before the Show, or early in the morning. Remove damaged flowers, discoloured or broken leaves. Roses should, if possible, be buds just beginning to open rather than fully opened flowers. Check the container is well filled with water to prevent wilting during the Show.
- Vegetables: Select even-sized, unblemished specimens. Roots should be carefully washed but do not brush as this may damage the skin. Beet, carrots, turnips and rhubarb should have leaves or tops removed leaving not more than 7.5cm /3” attached. Rhubarb and tomatoes are classified as vegetables.
- Fruit: Should be fresh, uniform and free from blemish. Preserve the natural bloom and keep stalks intact.
- If you are unsure how to display any exhibit, bring to the show complete with leaves, stalks etc and a committee member will be happy to advise. A good way to learn is to study class winners.
- Read the schedule carefully, and allow plenty of time to stage exhibits. It can be very disappointing if a good quality entry is marked “Not According to Schedule” (NAS) so do check the criteria given in the schedule carefully and be sure that your entries comply with specific requirements e.g. size, or number of items.
Show Scoring
- Arrangements may be assembled either at the show or elsewhere but must be the work of the exhibitor only.
- All arrangements must be of fresh plant material unless otherwise stated in the schedule and cut ends must be in water or water-retaining material. Dried, artificial or artificially coloured material may not be used unless otherwise stated in the schedule.
- Unless otherwise stated in the schedule, arrangements will stand in alcoves measuring 3 feet high, 2 feet wide and approx. 2 feet deep (90x60x60cms). Where arrangements are to stand on open tabling, dimensions will be given in the schedule for width and depth. Height is unrestricted. Drapes and accessories may NOT be used unless otherwise stated. Miniature arrangements should not measure more than 4 inches (10cms) overall and petite arrangements between 4 inches (10cms) and 9 inches (22.5cms) overall.
- The judge’s decision shall be final at all shows and they may withhold or modify any prize. Additional prizes may be awarded on the judges’ recommendations.
- These rules do not apply to children’s flower arrangements. These can be any size and will be staged on open tabling.
Points allocation for Fruit and Veg
Column A shows the number of exhibits required in a collection.
Column B shows the maximum points for each exhibit.
Both columns are based on RHS standards (* but in some instances a reduced number of items)
Vegetables
| A | B | A | B | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aubergines | 3 | 18 | Onions (under 8oz/250g) | 5 | 15 |
| Beans (Broad / French) | 9 pods | 15 | Onions (green salad) | 6* | 12 |
| Beans, Runner | 9 pods | 18 | Parsnips | 3 | 20 |
| Beetroot | 4 | 15 | Peas (pods) | 9 | 20 |
| Broccoli(sprouting/shoots) | 12 | 15 | Peppers (hot / chilli) | 6 | 15 |
| Brussel Sprouts | 9 * | 15 | Peppers (sweet) | 3 | 15 |
| Cabbage (Savoy/ green) | 2 | 15 | Potatoes | 5 | 20 |
| Carrots | 3 | 20 | Pumpkin | 1 | 10 |
| Cauliflowers | 2 | 20 | Radishes (small salad) | 9 | 12 |
| Celery | 2 | 20 | Rhubarb (natural) | 3 | 12 |
| Courgettes | 3 | 12 | Shallots | 10 | 18 |
| Cucumbers | 2 | 18 | Sweet Corn | 2* | 18 |
| Leeks | 2 | 20 | Tomatoes (small) | 9* | 12 |
| Lettuces | 1* | 15 | Tomatoes (medium) | 5* | 18 |
| Marrows | 2 | 15 | Tomatoes (large) | 3 | 15 |
| Onions (large) | 3 | 20 | Turnips | 3 | 15 |
Fruit
| A | B | A | B | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apples, cooking | 3* | 18 | Melons | 1 | 18 |
| Apples, dessert | 3* | 20 | Nuts (dish of) | 20 | 12 |
| Blackberries | 10* | 12 | Pears | 3* | 20 |
| Currants (dish of ) | 200g /7oz | 12 | Plums | 5* | 16 |
| Figs | 5 | 16 | Quinces | 3* | 12 |
| Gooseberries | 10* | 12 | Raspberries | 10* | 12 |
| Grapes (bunches) | 1 | 20 | Strawberries | 10* | 16 |