Austwick Village Show 2012

For the third year running Austwick residents were faced with the challenge of trying to put together the Annual Flower and Handicraft Show after yet another very wet summer. This is a popular event in the village and despite a particularly difficult year for flower and vegetable growing, residents rose to the challenge and whilst entries in the fruit and vegetable section were down, cookery and children’s classes were much improved. The quality of the produce displayed was extremely high and those visiting the show were not disappointed and all judges were very impressed with the standard of the exhibits.

Please click on any of the thumbnails below to see a larger image

Flower Section

1. 4 Roses (individual stems)
2. 3 Roses – a bud, one half open & one fully open
3. 4 Garden pinks- any variety
4. 4 Pansies or violas
5. 4 Pot marigolds (Calendula)
6. 4 French or African marigolds
7. 4 Dahlias
8. 4 Phlox
9. 9 Spikes sweet peas
10. A container (max. ht. 8") of sweet peas
11. A vase of hardy annuals
12. A vase of hardy perennials
13. A flowering house plant
14. A house plant grown for its foliage
15. A cactus or succulent plant

Artistic Flower Section

Read the schedule, including the rules, carefully. If anything is unclear contact the Secretary. Ensure that the entry form is complete and observe the deadline for entries. Watch the “old hands” and, above all, enjoy the day.

Preparation and Presentation of Produce

Uniformity of the specimens constituting the exhibit is important. Allow time for staging. Make sure the entry labels are placed correctly and that the number of exhibits is correct.

Flowers

Cut in the evening or early morning. Handle as little as possible and protect from draughts and bright sun. Remove lower leaves and immerse stems up to their necks in water until the last minute. On staging, trim off any damaged leaves or flowers.

Fruit

Pick as late as possible.

Currants (and similar) are shown with the strings intact and Berries with their stalks.

Vegetables

• Potatoes should be equally matched and free from blemishes.

• Cut leaves of Root Vegetables to approx 75mm (3”) and tie with raffia.

• Cut Beans and Peas with about 25mm of stalk.

• Cut Cabbages and Cauliflower with about 75mm of stem (except for collections)

• Trim leaves of Calabrese and Cauliflowers to the level of the outer curd.

• Celery roots are trimmed to leave a pointed butt-end.

• Lettuce roots (intact) are washed, wrapped in moist tissue and enclosed in a polythene bag.

• Courgettes may be staged with or without flowers but Cucumber flowers must be intact.

• Dry Garlic bulbs and trim the stems to 25mm (1”).

• Tie or whip the tops of Onions or Shallots with colourless raffia and trim the roots back to the base plate. Roots of Salad Onions are left intact. Shallots are staged on dry sand.

• Tomatoes, ripe but firm and with their calyces attached, are exhibited on a plate.

Cookery

Exhibits usually need to be named. Label as requested in the schedule. Labels on Preserves, Wine, Jam etc. should include the date made.

A waxed disc on top of Jam is essential. If re-using a commercial jar cover the manufacturer’s name/log

Entries

Entry fees. Adult Classes – 20p per entry. Children’s classes – 10p per entry.

No more than two entries per exhibitor are allowed in any one class and entries not conforming to the wording of the schedule will be disqualified.

The Secretary must receive entry forms by the Preceding Monday. Entries received after this closing date cannot be accepted.

Horticultural entries (except those for classes 18, 19 and 20) must have been grown by the exhibitor and have been in his/her possession for not less than one month before the day of the Show.  The Committee may inspect any garden before the Show to ensure that this is so.  Exhibitors should provide their own trays, dishes, glasses etc.

Handicraft entries shall not previously have been entered for competition at Austwick Show. The dimensions of the exhibit should be noted on the entry form.

Children's entries will be accepted from children aged 16 years and under. Spelling will be taken into account in the handwriting classes. The adult entry fee is payable by children entering adult classes.

Children’s entries must be marked with the child’s age on the day of the Show.

The Show

Entries will be accepted from 9am and must be staged, under the direction of a Steward, by 11am and remain until 4pm. The showroom will be cleared of all persons except the judges, stewards and secretary at 11am when judging will begin.

Exhibits remain the responsibility of the owner at all times.

Points and cash prizes will be awarded as follows:

1^st prize – 3 points -  £1
2^nd prize – 2 points – 50p
3^rd prize – 1 point – 25p

The judges may withhold or diminish the prizes (which are to be taken as awarded).

Cups and Trophies are tenable for one year and are the responsibility of the recipients until returned to the Secretary one week before the Show the following year