Summer Show 2021

The Summer Show - An In-person Meeting

Our Summer Show and Members' Social was held on Tuesday 10th August and was our first face-to-face and in-person meeting since March of 2020.

As is normal for our shows, this was held at the excellent Fairlands Community Centre, Fairlands Avenue, GU3 3NA.

We had a great number of entries this year and hopfully made it an event to remember for all the right reasons. There were many different types of classes, from flowers to flower arranging. From roses to houseplants. From 5-a-day vegetables to tomatoes. Plus, three photography classes, and both a painting and handicraft class. There was a Have-A-Go class where you could enter literally anything that you have grown. There was even a class for whatever didn't work out so well - wonky carrots, deformed tomatoes, slug eaten dahlias - all were perfect candidates for the 'hiccup' class and the chance to come home with the much prized and highly desirable 'Squirrel Doorstop' trophy. There really was something for everyone, and the event was much enjoyed by all attending.

Some of the photgraphs of the 109 entries from 22 Members - a huge thank you and congratulations to everyone who took part

The Full Show Results

The Show Schedule

Entry Form

The Show Schedule -

Click on the pictures to open

Timings and Logistics for the Show

  • Doors to Fairlands Community Centre will open at 7.20 pm for anyone entering a Class to allow time to set up and stage the exhibit.

  • Please wear a mask when entering or leaving the Hall, and at any time when you are moving around.

  • As you enter, please sign-in at the front desk to comply with fire regulations. You can also enter the Raffle - only £1 per ticket

  • You will need to collect a voting slip for Classes 19-24 that will be judged by Club Members

  • You will also need to compete an entry form with all the classes you are entering

  • Hand your entry form to Sheila at the Adjudicator's table in the main hall and you will receive a Show Card for every Class entered. This will have your Exhibitor Number and the Class Number on one side. Add your name to the other side of each Show Card

  • Arrange your exhibits - it will be useful to bring a pen, some scissors or secateurs, newspaper or kitchen paper to pack vases.

  • Display the Show Card next to your exhibit with you name face-down. The judge should only see the Class and your Exhibitor Number

  • All staging must be complete by 8pm

  • The judging of Classes 1-18 will start at 8pm - no entry will be allowed into the exhibits until judging has finished

  • A buffet of some drinks and nibbles will be available during this judging period. There will also be a quiz and a wordsearch

  • This is also the time to vote for the winning entry in Classes 19-24 which will be judged by Members. Voting must be complete by 8.45pm and your form returned to the Adjudicator's table

  • From about 9pm, the doors to the exhibition hall will be open and viewing will start. Please be mindful of space and do not crowd. Entrance may be restricted or staggered for safety

  • The results from the Judge and Members will be tallied and the winners for each of the cups and awards will be announced at approximately 9.40pm

Showing Tips

The show is for fun, but it will still be judged according to RHS rules. Entries not according to the schedule will not be judged - this applies to all classes. The most important thing is to read the Show Schedule very carefully for the description of the classes you are entering. If it says “5 tomatoes on a plate” then there needs to be 5, but they also have to be on a plate. Speaking from personal experience, a tin foil square is not sufficient!! It may sound pedantic, but it ensures that everyone is judged fairly.

The judge will be looking for vegetables, fruit, flowers, etc. in excellent condition, that are the most uniform in size, shape and colour. Uniformity in size is more important than impressive size unless the class calls for ‘largest’, ‘heaviest’, etc. Large specimens of good quality and uniformity require more skill than the production of smaller specimens and will be rewarded accordingly, but it is quality not size that matters! Pick the best of your produce, even if it’s not the largest.

  • Dahlias - Blooms should be fresh, clean, firm and not marked

  • Fuchsias - Flowers should be fresh and not dropping pollen

  • Flower arrangements must not exceed size stated on schedule

  • Beans and peas should have a short length of stalk still attached

  • Runner beans- pick the day before and straighten against a rolling pin wrapped in damp kitchen paper or a tea towel and kept in the fridge overnight

  • Wash potatoes and root vegetables gently so you don’t damage the skin

  • Courgettes - fresh and about 5-6 inches long, with or without flower, but as straight and even as possible

  • Herbs must not be in flower. You are not limited to just one stem of each variety, so make a nice display

  • Tomatoes - free of any blemish and with even size and colour. Do not remove the green calyx or stalk from the top

  • A sprinkling of sand or rice on the plate can help keep tomatoes from toppling over

  • If something looks a complete mess, consider entering it for the 'Hiccup' class!