Ropley Horticultural Society

SUMMER SHOW 2026

Saturday 8^th August

Ropley Parish Hall

SHOW TIMETABLE
 
• Entry forms and fees to be received by 5.00pm on Wednesday 5^th August. Forms and fees to The Courtyard Shop, Church Street, Ropley.
• Staging of exhibits from 8.00am to 10.30am when doors close to exhibitors.
• Judging commences at 11.15am.
• Doors open to the public at 2.30pm.
• Raffle and Prize giving at 4.00pm.
• Exhibits may not be removed until advised. The Society cannot be responsible for exhibits not collected.

Section 1 VEGETABLES & FRUIT
For Members only.
Judge: Ray Broughton


* denotes classes contributing to Henderson Cup
1. *Four Potatoes, white.
2. Four Potatoes, coloured.
3. Three Carrots, one cultivar, 75mm tops.
4. Three Onions, no bulb to exceed 250g.
5. *Three Onions, bulbs over 250g.
6. *Five Cherry Tomatoes, one cultivar, less than 35mm diameter.
7. Five medium Tomatoes, one cultivar, approx. 60mm diameter.
8. Three large/Beefsteak Tomatoes one cultivar, greater than 75mm diameter (see ripeness rule 23)Rule 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.
9. Five French Beans.
10. *Five Runner Beans.
11. Three Beetroot, one cultivar, 75mm tops.
12. Two indoor Cucumbers grown under protection.
13. Two Cucumbers, outdoor grown, one cultivar
14. Seven Shallots
15. Three Chilli Peppers
16. Three Parsnips one cultivar, 75mm tops.
17. Two Leeks, with roots, one cultivar.
18. Two Courgettes, approx 150mm in length, or round cultivars approx. 75mm in diameter.
19. Two Sweet Peppers.
20. Spinach, Chard of Spanish Beet - eight leaves, presented in a vase.
21. Two Lettuces, may be different cultivars
22. Two of any other Vegetable, one cultivar, not in classes 1-21.
23. Single heaviest Potato.
24. Single heaviest Tomato.
25. The heaviest Marrow.
26. The longest Runner Bean.
27. The most interesting misshapen vegetable.
28. Five kinds of Culinary Herb (without flowers), not more than two of any one type, own container may be used
29. A Basket of five (minimum) Vegetables and/or Fruit, arranged for effect. Internal size of basket not to exceed 30cm wide x 45cm long
30. *Three desert Apples, one cultivar ( see ripeness rule 23)Rule 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.
31. Three Cooking Apples, one cultivar ( see ripeness rule 23)Rule 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.
32. *Twelve Berries, one cultivar
33. Six Plums ( see ripeness rule 23)Rule 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.
34. Three Apricots ( see ripeness rule 23)Rule 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.
35. Two of any other Fruit, one cultivar only, not in classes 30 to 34 above.( see ripeness rule 23)Rule 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.
     
    Section 2 FLOWERS
    For Members only.
    Judge: Geoff Hawkins
    
    
    Bikini vases will be provided and should be used (see rule 20)Rule 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.
    * denotes classes contributing to Henderson Cup
36. Three stems of an autumn-flowering herbaceous plant
37. One stem of Gladioli
38. Three stems of Sunflowers
39. Three stems of Agapanthus, any cultivar
40. Three Antirrhinums, any cultivar
41. Three Asters, any cultivar
42. Five stems of Ornamental Grasses, one or more cultivar.
43. *Six Flowers raised from seed at home during the twelve months preceding this show; not more than two stems of any one cultivar.
44. Three Dahlias, pompom or ball
45. Three Dahlias, cactus or semi-cactus
46. Three Dahlias, any other classification
47. *One stem of a single large-flowered specimen Rose; own container allowed
48. Three stems of large-flowered Roses
49. Three stems of cluster-flowered Roses
50. Three stems of miniature Roses
51. A bowl of mixed flowers; max bowl size 18cm (7 inches) internal dia. (own bowl)
52. Begonia in a pot, max pot size 23cm (9 inches) internal dia.
53. Three individual blooms of large-flowered Clematis
54. Three stems of Clematis not covered by class 53
55. *A Foliage Plant, max pot size 23cm (9inches) internal dia.
56. One Hydrangea bloom
57. An Orchid in flower, max pot size 23cm (9 inches) internal dia.
58. A Cactus
59. Cacti, collection of three or more cultivars in a pot, max pot size 30cm (12 inches) internal dia.
60. A Succulent
61. Summer Challenge: Pelargonium 'Horizon Rose' (pink with a light centre), from a plug plant supplied early Spring 2026, one per member. Max pot size 23cm (9 inches) internal dia. See Growing Guide
62. A flowering Fuchsia plant, max pot size 23cm (9 inches) internal dia.
63. *A flowering Pot Plant – not in classes 57 to 62 above
64. Five Fuchsia blooms, one or more cultivars, displayed in a shallow container of your choice
65. A single specimen bloom displayed flat on a black background (10cm square base supplied) with water container (supplied)
66. *Collection of eight mixed Flowering Stems, not more than two of any one type
 
Section 3 FLORAL ART
For Members only.
Judge: Maureen Lawes


We recommnd that exhibitors avoid the use of floral foam (eg "Oasis") altogether where possible.
Space allowed: Width: 53cm; depth: 46cm; height: optional.
67. "Hot and Spicy" (Must be floral foam free)
68. "Harvest Time"(Must be floral foam free)
69. "Coastal Charm"
70. "Fairy Vase" – petite (not to exceed 25cm x 25cm x 25cm [10 x 10 x10 inches])
 
Section 4 EGGS
Open to all
Judge: Kay Roadknight


71. Three Hen Eggs
72. Three Eggs any other domestic variety (state the variety).
73. A single Egg, any variety, to be judged on exterior appearance only.
 
Section 5 COOKERY
Open to all
Judge: Christine Cain
 
74. Cake: a Lemon Drizzle Cake
75. Small Cakes: 5 Fruit Muffins
76. Bread: 5 Cinnamon Rolls
77. Fruit Bake: Loaf of Banana Bread
78. Pastry: 6 Vegetarian Sausage Rolls
79. Biscuits: 5 Chocolate Chip Cookies
80. A jar of Jam or Jelly
81. A jar of Fruit Curd:
82. A jar of Picallili
83. Gentlemen's Recipe Bake: (men only) 6 Chocolate Brownies to the following recipe by Mary Berry.
 
GENTLEMEN'S BAKE:
Mary Berry's Ultimate Chocolate Brownies


Mary's favourite brownie recipe; it has a wrinkled top and gooey middle. It can be made up to two days in advance and freezes well.

Ingredients:

• 360g (12½oz) Bournville plain chocolate (2 x 180g packets), broken into piecies
• 225g (8oz) butter, cubed, plus extra for greasing tin
• 225g (8oz) light muscovado sugar
• 4 eggs, well beaten
• 75g (3oz) self-raising flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 75g (3oz) chocolate chips

You will need a 30 x23cm (12 x 9in) traybake tin and some non-stick baking paper.

Method:
• Pre-heat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan)/Gas 4.
• Grease and line your traybake tin with a non-stick baking paper.
• Place the chocolate and butter in a large heatproof bowl. Place the bowl over a pan of simmering water until the chocolate has melted. Stir to combine.
• Remove from the heat and add the sugar and eggs. Mix well until smooth
• Add the flour and vanilla and mix again.
• Stir in the chocolate chips.
• Pour the chocolate mixture into the prepared tin.
• Bake for about 45 minutes until well risen and set around the edges, with a slightly soft centre.
• Leave to call in the tin and then slice into 24 squares.
 
Section 6 DESIGN & CREATE
Open to all
Judge: Jane Ward
 
84. A Picture in any medium, maximum A4 size
85. A handmade Bag to include a fastening
86. Upcycling - something new from something old.
 
Section 7 PHOTOGRAPHY
Open to all
Judge: Trevor Morecroft
 
Each entry should be no larger than A5 size - 21cm x 15cm (approx. 8¼ x 5¾) including optional mount.
87. Worker
88. Landscape
89. Pet Portrait
90. Tree(s)
91. Symmetry
92. Nature Close Up
 
Section 8 CHILDREN'S CLASSES
Free to enter, with monetary prizes. (NB Children may also enter any adult open classes but fees apply.) 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.
 
Prize money is awarded in Children's Classes only:
1^st = £5
2^nd = £2
3^rd = £1
 
DESIGN & CREATE
 
Judge: Jane Ward
 
93. 4 years and under - Colour a picture of Flowers
    (Download picture here.)Picture will be available for download nearer the time of the show. Please call back.
94. 5-6 years - "Bluey": a collage, painting, drawing or model.
95. 5-6 years - Something you have made yourself from Recycled Materials.
96. 7-12 years - "Flowers": a collage, painting, drawing or model..
97. 7-12 years - Something you have made yourself from Recycled Materials.
 
GROW
Judge; Ray Broughton
 
98. 6 years and under - Any Vegetable plant grown from seed - max. pot size 17cm (6½ inches) internal.
99. 7-12 years - Any Vegetable plant grown from seed - max. pot size 17cm (6½ inches) internal.
 
COOKERY
Judge; Christine Cain
 
100. 6 years and under - a Decorated Gingerbread Biscuit, biscuit may be bought or homemade.
101. 7-12 years - a Homemade Gingerbread Animal Biscuit, decorated.

Entry Form