I always hoped I could get a Flower Show Society member to write a history but after all these years its not going to happen so I’ll do it (unless after you’ve read it you think you can do better).

My wife and I came on the scene 25 years ago the house we bought had a good sized plot which Jean wanted as a garden, I wanted the detached double garage for a workshop. The whole area was severely blighted by the then ongoing Airport Enquiry so we got the property at a very good price.

Fairly soon Jean discovered the Flower Show and took a keen interest. In those days the show was dominated by farmers, market gardeners and estate gardeners. Even in those days there were often grumbles when professionals walked off with the trophies with produce quality way beyond amateur efforts. Jean’s reaction to this was talking to the professionals and picking their brains. Later the judges were provided by the RHS and Jean then not only spent hours talking to them but also joined then  studied the RHS literature. Eventually she started to win and has now won the Shield 12 times. All the old timers have now gone and Jean is now being criticised for dominating the show.

The Shield was actually donated by the Parish Council and is specifically for the exhibitor with the most points gained overall.

The trophies have been donated to the society over a great many years and are a fine collection. The large Parish Council shield (see winners) is the main prize and resides normally in a cabinet in the foyer of the Village Hall, to win it you must accumulate enough points from the various classes and sections to beat all your rivals. If you win it, your name goes on a mini shield on it and you get a replica to keep. The other trophies are a mixture of cups, goblets, bowls, platters and medals. Its best to win the medals because the others have to be given back for the next Flower Show.

NEW SCHEDULE FOR 2010

Click on the button below the file will open as a “Word document from which you can print as many copies as you like. If you don’t have Microsoft Word the completely free Open Office will open it.

Click on the open office button below to get it. Keep it up to date and you will future proof yourself for when Microsoft upgrades to 2010 it was bad enough when some of us had 2003 and others had 2007 but Open Office will open any version. Microsoft is not co-operative so if you work in Open Office and want to save something do it in a Microsoft format then everybody can open it.

2009

Judging done the trophies are presented by the Chairman of the Parish Council.

Sorry about the fuzzy shots, everybody is so pleased to win they just can’t get at their trophies fast enough and even when I get the camera there they are still moving too fast for the flash to recharge.

Overall Winner!