Ropley Horticultural Society

SHOWS AND EXHIBITIONS

We hold two shows each year - the Spring Show in April and the Summer Show in August.There are classes for vegetables, fruit, flowers, floral art, craftwork, culinary, photographs and art and crafts all subject to the rules below.

Information regarding classes for each show can be obtained from clicking the links above. An Entry Form (select Spring or Summer) must be completed and submitted to us, with the appropriate entry fees, through the Ropley Shop by 5.30pm on the Wednesday proceeding the show.

The entries are judged by visiting judges and trophies awarded and prizes.

Some Hints for Exhibitors

Where does one start?

The easiest way to learn how to exhibit is to see how others present their exhibits. Visiting our shows or some of the other local shows will give a good general idea as to the standard required. The best reference book for detail is the Royal Horticultural Society’s “The Horticultural Show Handbook”. A number of the members will have a copy of this book; the Show Secretary certainly has one and is willing to loan it if need be. Anyone who already enters would be only too willing to help someone who is entering for the first time.

In all cases, exhibits should be staged as attractively as possible.

• Flowers are not just placed in a vase, but – apart from collections – are arranged so that they face the judge. Flowers need to be clean. Make certain that any insects have been removed before exhibiting.
• Vegetables are arranged in lines or in a circle. Quality and uniformity are more important than size: four medium size onions of good quality will gain higher marks than one large and three medium of the same quality.
• Root vegetables should be carefully washed.
• Beetroot, carrots, parsnips and swedes should have the leaves removed leaving 75mm of stalk. The tops can then be tied or whipped with string or raffia.
• Shallots and onions should be completely dried carefully cleaned and loose skin removed. The roots are cut back to the basal plate and any top growth shortened, folded and tied neatly.
• Leeks should be thoroughly washed and tops plaited or tied neatly.
• Courgettes do not need to include the flower
• The appearance of fruit is enhanced by its natural bloom. Apples should not be polished.
• All fruit, except peaches and nectarines, should be shown with stalks.
• Currants should be shown in strings as grown.
• Calyces should be left on tomatoes.

GOOD LUCK BUT PLEASE READ THE RULES BELOW

RULES FOR EXHIBITORS (All Shows)

 
GENERAL
1. General conduct and judging of the Shows, unless otherwise specified in this book, will be in accordance with:
    
   • The Royal Horticultural Society Show handbook (2016)
   • Hampshire Federation of Horticultural Societies, where no other rule applies
 
2. The Show Committee reserves the right to interpret the rules in the best interest of the Show(s), including the right to refuse entry; the Show Secretary being the referee.
3. The Committee reserves the right to visit, before and/or after a Show, gardens from which plants, flowers, fruit or vegetables have been entered for competition.
 
ENTRIES
4. In order to enter horticultural sections, exhibitors must be members of the Ropley Horticultural Society. Non-horticultural sections are open to all.
5. To enter ‘Member’ classes, members’ subscriptions must have been paid at least six weeks prior to each show.
6. Entries must be received by the correct date and time. Please refer to the Show timetable. Entry forms and fees to The Courtyard Shop, Church Street, Ropley.
7. No person may stage more than one entry per class.
8. No late entries will be accepted
9. Exhibits must be the property of the exhibitor and must have been in their possession for at least two months, unless some shorter period is specified in the Schedule. It follows from this that all exhibits should be entered in the name of the owner of the garden from which the exhibit came and he/she should sign the entry form. Exhibits staged by a professional gardener but belonging to his/her employer should be entered in the employer’s name.
10. All exhibits must be clean and free from disease or infestation, otherwise they are liable to be disqualified and removed from the hall. Containers should be clean, plain and free from damage.
11. Entries are accepted on condition that the Society is not responsible for loss or damage to any exhibit or to the exhibitor’s personal property.
12. A prize may be withheld if the exhibit is deemed not worthy of the prize offered.
13. Trophies are awarded for the highest number of points in a Section. Should this involve a tie, the Show Secretary’s decision will be final.
14. Prize-winners are reminded that trophies, whilst in their possession, remain the property of the Ropley Horticultural Society.
 
ENTRY FEES
15. All classes: 25p Children’s classes: Free Children entering Adult classes: 25p
 
EXHIBITING
16. Entry cards to be collected from the Show Steward’s table on arrival at the hall. Each is to be placed name downwards by the relevant exhibit.
17. Please additionally label exhibits with variety/title/description, where possible.
18. Stewards will be present during the staging of exhibits to advise and help exhibitors, but it is the exhibitor’s responsibility to ensure that their entry conforms in all aspects with the Schedule.
 
HORTICULTURAL CLASSES
19. Paper plates will be provided for the display of vegetables and fruit, except where stated.
20. ‘Bikini vases’ will be provided for the display of flowers and should be used unless otherwise specified. Vases may be packed with clean paper or natural material. Vases must be emptied of water and returned at the end of each Show.
21. Please ensure all cut stems are in water, unless otherwise specified.
22. Electronic scales and measuring rings as appropriate will be available for the use of exhibitors and judges.
23. Fruit and Vegetable ripeness: apples, apricots, gooseberries, medlars, pears, quinces and large/beefsteak tomatoes may be shown either ripe or unripe. All other fruits and vegetables must be ripe.
24. Container grown exhibits must have been grown in situ.
25. Pot sizes, where stated, are internal diameters.
 
 
COOKERY
26. All dishes should be placed, by the exhibitor, onto the plates provided and covered with a plastic dome, also provided. (Dome dimensions are 28cm dia. at the base tapering to 25cm dia. at the top; 10cm high).
27. The contents of a jar or bottle should be clearly labeled and dated.(day/month/year)
 
PHOTOGRAPHY and DESIGN & CREATE
28. No exhibit may be submitted into a show on more than one occasion.
29. Entrants may be asked to provide evidence that they own the copyright of the exhibit submitted.
 
FLORAL ART
30. An exhibit is one or more arrangements of natural plant materials, fresh or preserved, with or without accessories.
31. Flowers in this section do not have to be grown by the exhibitor but should be seasonal if the title suggests this, eg ‘Spring Bouquet’.
32. Display niches (provided): base and background is of a neutral colour. Sizes are stated in the schedule – exhibit need not fill the available space.
33. Backdrops, boxes, drapes, titles etc may be used, provided they are within the maximum allowed space.
 
CHILDREN'S CLASSES
34. All exhibits must be made by the child themselves. Adults may supervise as appropriate but not be "hands on". If the judge suspects adult intervention, the item will be marked down.
 
JUDGING & PRIZES
35. The decision of the Judge is final. Protests must be lodged by the exhibitor with the Secretary, together with a deposit of £2.00 not later than 3pm on the day of the show, when they will be dealt with by the Committee whose decision will be final. If the complaint is justified, the deposit will be returned.
36. Exhibits may not be removed until advised.
37. The Society cannot be responsible for exhibits not collected by the end of the Show - they may be donated or disposed of, as the Committee sees fit.
 
PRIZE MONEY
38. Prize Money is awarded for Children's classes only:- 1st: £1 2nd: 70p 3rd: 50p
 
SHOW TROPHIES
39. These are listed here, along with current winners.
 
HENDERSON CUP
40. The Henderson Cup is awarded, at the Summer Show, for points accumulated in specific classes in both the Spring and Summer Shows. These classes are shown by *.