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 13 times. All the old timers have now gone and Jean was being criticised for dominating the show.  Now, this year there are a lot of new faces and Alan Taylor won overall but the silver has been spread much thinner.

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.

The buttons below are how you enter the show. The first button downloads an entry form the second the schedule and the third is the software in case you are new to this and don’t have the means to open .doc files. This version is the free one

I have reduced the size of these pictures to limit download times but if you want the full resolution I can e-mail singles to you. They are very high resolution so my e-mail server will only accept one each.

This first gallery is a quick walk around after everybody had set up but before the judging started. Allan Hathaway was around as well with his camera so I will upload his work as soon as I get it. He was concentrating on the individual entries so above I have looked as far as possible at the whole show. I’m not sure its worked however as this year has been very well supported. If I backed up to get the vista the detail was lost.

Traditionally the Chairman of the Parish Council presents the prizes but this year that is Peter Johnson who handles all the results and is therefore far too busy, Stewart Pimblett (vice chair) stood in. I think I did fairly well but there is always going to be some who will move very fast and either give me the back of the head, a movement blur or even get out of shot altogether.