COLD ASH HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
AND
VILLAGE PRODUCE ASSOCIATION

NOTES FOR EXHIBITORS

1. Please read this schedule carefully to ensure that your entries meet the wording for each class as described, or they may be disqualified as ‘Not According to Schedule’ (NAS). The full Show Regulations are on pages 17-19 of the Schedule. Please consult the Show Secretary if you are in any doubt.
2. The Show Secretary is Kate Miller.
3. Flowers are usually shown in a vase, facing the front so that individual flowers are close together but not overlapping. RHS vases in several sizes are provided and must be used, except where stated otherwise in the schedule. Flowers in a bowl should be arranged so the exhibit looks similar from any direction. Bowls must be provided by the exhibitor.
4. Vegetables are usually placed directly on the show table, except for vegetable collections, or where a plate or dish is specified. They should be clean; root vegetables should just be washed and foliage trimmed off to about 5 – 8 cm long. Roots of leaf vegetables should be cut off. Stalks should always be retained when fruit or vegetables grow from them, e.g. marrows, beans, tomatoes, apples, raspberries etc. Fruit should always be shown with bloom, i.e. not polished.
5. In all cases, specimens in an exhibit should be well matched for freshness, size, colour and, of course, should be unblemished and free of insects. Good foliage from the plant enhances the presentation of flowers and soft fruit.
6. If your entry isn’t perfect, have a go anyway! Even the more experienced members have the same problems and we are always happy to give advice.
7. Please don’t be frightened to ask for assistance with displaying your exhibits at the show.

Spare entry forms are available from the website cahs.org.uk for you to download and print or you can email info@cahs.org.uk for a copy.  Entry forms are available in the Post Office during the week before both the Spring and Summer Shows

 

Some useful definitions

Bloom:  One open flower (e.g. tulip) or one flower head (e.g. dahlia)

Variety / Cultivar:  Strictly speaking, a variety  of a species occurs naturally in nature and has a Latin tag: e.g.  Paeonia lutea var. ludlowii  whereas a cultivar (short for ‘cultivated variety’) is bred by man and usually has a non-Latin name tagged on: e.g. Pisum sativum ‘Onward’.  Cultivar is increasingly used for shows.

Herbaceous perennial:  A perennial plant that does not form a persistent woody stem.

Shrub: A woody perennial smaller than a tree and having no distinct trunk.

 

Daffodil / Narcissus classifications 

Trumpet

Cup equal to or longer than the petals 

 

Large Cup

Cup less than petals but more than one-third petal length 

 

Small Cup                                                                                                                 

Cup equal to or less than one-third petal length

SPRING SHOW with plant sale

SATURDAY 23rd March 2024

Staging: from 8.30, last exhibitor entry to hall at 10 am, Awards 4 pm

SECTION ‘F’ – FLOWERS

F1	NARCISSUS – one specimen bloom
F2	NARCISSI – Cup, three blooms
F3	NARCISSI – Trumpet, three blooms
F4	NARCISSI – Double, three blooms
F5	NARCISSI – Cluster, three blooms
F6	NARCISSI -Miniature, three blooms
F7	NARCISSI – Mixed, nine blooms
F8	TULIPS – three blooms
F9	TULIPS – Mixed, five blooms
F10	HYACINTH – One specimen bloom, cut or growing in any container
F11	POLYANTHUS – Three stems
F12	FLOWERING TREE or SHRUB – One spray, maximum height 80cm, including vase.
F13	FLOWERING SHRUBS – Five stems, more than one species, maximum height 80cm, including vase.
F14	SPRING FLOWERS – A bowl of mixed flowers excluding narcissi.
F15	SPRING FLOWERS – Any other flower, three or more stems, one cultivar.
F16	A FLOWERING POT PLANT – Up to 20cm inside diameter at rim
F17	BULBS & CORMS – Growing in a container up to 20cm inside diameter at rim.
	* F14 & F15 TO BE DISPLAYED WITHOUT SEPARATE FOLIAGE

SECTION ‘A’ – FLORAL ART

Judging will be based on creativity, originality and visual attractiveness and will not be governed by NAFAS rules

Exhibits must not exceed the sizes specified

Please do not use Oasis, if possible, as it cannot be recycled.

A1	‘A CUP AND SAUCER’ – a miniature arrangement, not to exceed 25cm in any direction. No Embellishments.
A2	‘A GOLD ARRANGEMENT’ – flowers and / or foliage all round effect, not to exceed 50cm in height. Can use accessories.
A3	‘AN ARRANGEMENT FOR MOTHERS DAY’ – a forward facing display, height not to exceed 75cm. No embellishments.

SECTION ‘H’ – HANDCRAFT

Handcraft need not be new but must not have been shown previously at Cold Ash.

To help the judge, exhibitors must state – on a label attached to the exhibit – whether they have designed the item themselves or used a commercial patter

HA1	UNFRAMED SOFT CRAFT – embroidery, tapestry, patchwork, lace or other soft craft material, including paper
HA2	HARD CRAFT – wood, ceramic, metal, beading, width not exceeding 60cm
HA3	A HAND-KNITTED or CROCHETED ARTICLE
HA4	A FRAMED PICTURE – painted or drawn
HA5	A FRAMED PICTURE – using embroidery, tapestry, lace or other mixed craft material

DON’T FORGET TO VISIT THE PLANT STALL. ALL PLANTS ARE GROWN LOCALLY BY MEMBERS, SO YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIND SOMETHING THAT WILL SUIT YOUR GARDEN.

---

PLANT STALL
Don’t forget to visit the plant stall at the show – there will be a range of interesting plants for you to buy. There will be some plants grown by members in Cold Ash in a range of soil types, so you should find something that can grow happily in your garden.

REFRESHMENTS
We will have afternoon tea available to purchase in the committee room during the show.

CHILDREN
We will have an activity for juniors on the afternoon of the show.

Trophies, Donors and Present Holders

All Cups are Challenge Cups to be returned after one year

Only current members of the Society can win cups

SPRING SHOW 2023

SUMMER SHOW 2023

Bryce Hamblin Cup for most points in the Vegetable Collections. Mrs S Hamblin	Mr G Collins
Sir Henry Barclay Cup for most points in the Vegetable Classes 1-25. Major H Tracy Barclay	Mr L Grew
Attfield Cup for most points in the Dahlia classes.  Mrs June Heaton	Mr G Collins
Dawson Cup for most points in the Flower Section. Mrs M S & Mr A M Dawson	Mrs J Geater
Mann Cup for most points in the Vegetable Classes V1-24 plus Flower Section. Mr J Mann.	Mr L Grew
Edwin Ettridge Cup for the best Horticultural Exhibit. Edwin Ettridge	Mr E Smith
Acland Cup for most points in the Homecraft Section. Miss Ruth Acland	Ms A Collins
Carol Child Cup for the Best Horticultural Photograph. Mrs J M Child	Ms A Cload
Mrs A M Collins Cup for most points in the Photography Section (except P1). The Collins Family	Ms A Collins
Herbert Cup for most points in the Show. Mrs A Herbert	Mr L Grew
Dorothy Walters Cup for most points in the Spring, Rose and Summer Shows, excluding classes C1, C2 and C3. Mr A L Date	Mr L Grew
Sinclair Bowl for the best rose exhibit	Not awarded in 2022
Attfield Cup for most points in the Sweet Pea classes. Mrs J Heaton
RHS Banksian Medal	Mr G Collins

For the exhibitor who won the most points in the Horticultural Classes, including collections.  Winners in previous two years are not eligible:-

 2022 – Ms C Jones 2023 – Mr G Collins

The following cups were last awarded on 2020 or earlier – these will not be awarded in 2024
(Spring Show junior classes):
Parmenter Cup for most points in the junior section, aged up to 7 years
Goodwin Cup for most points in the junior section, aged 8-11 years
(Summer Show junior classes):
Herbert Cup for most points in the junior section, aged up to 7 years
Jarratt Cup for most points in the junior section, aged 8-11 years

---

RULES

1. The Society/Club shall be manged by the President, Officers and a Committee of not more than 16 members, 5 being a quorum at any meeting.
2. All officers and committee members are required to be elected or re-elected at each AGM.
3. The committee shall have the authority to appoint life members.
4. Anyone subscribing to the society/Club will be considered a member and is entitled to vote at the AGM.  The subscription rate is £10 per individual member.  Please note that members will not be charged to attend talks.  Visitors will be charged £5 for talks.
5. The rules and the show regulations can be changed only by a simple majority of members voting at the AGM. Proposed changes must be received by the secretary at least three weeks before the AGM.

 

 

 

SHOW REGULATIONS

1. Horticultural entries must have been grown by the exhibitor and have been in their possession for at least 3 months. All entries must be the work of the exhibitor.
2. Entry fees will be 25p per class, any junior classes are free to enter.
3. Juniors may enter adult classes, but their age will not be considered.
4. For both the SPRING and SUMMER SHOWS, completed entry forms, with entrance fees, should be sent to one of the addresses shown on the entry form no later than the Thursday before the Show.  ANY LATER ENTRIES ARE DEPENDENT ON SPACE BEING AVAILABLE.
5. Exhibitors may only exhibit one entry in any one class.
6. Standard exhibition vases will be available for flower entries. Exhibitors must provide other containers as specified in the schedule. In flower sections, exhibits must be shown in one container for each entry, unless stated otherwise in the Schedule. Vegetable exhibits should be washed and trimmed.
7. For the SUMMER SHOW, the Society/Club will also provide Vermiculite for use in class F15 (Fuchsia flowerheads.)
8. Exhibits are shown at the exhibitor’s risk and the Society/Club accepts no responsibility for any loss or damage that may arise.
9. Where possible, exhibitors in the horticultural classes should name their exhibits with the variety or common name as this adds interest to the Show for both exhibitors and visitors.
10. For both the  SPRING and SUMMER SHOWS, exhibits must be staged between 8.30 a.m. and 10.30 a.m., last entry to the hall is 10 a.m. to allow time for staging before the hall is closed for judging at 10.30 a.m.
11. Exhibitors are responsible for displaying the correct Show Card, obtainable from the Show Secretary, with each exhibit, as exhibits without cards cannot be judged.
12. FOR BOTH THE SPRING AND SUMMER SHOWS THE SHOW AREA MUST BE VACATED BY 10.30 A.M. FOR JUDGING.
13. Judging of horticultural classes will take place under the rules of the Royal Horticultural Society, except where these Show Regulations differ.
14. The judge’s decision is final. The judges may withhold or change any of the prizes in any one class.  Similarly, they may award additional prizes or commendations at their discretion.
15. Exhibits not meeting the wording of the Schedule will be disqualified, and the entry card marked “NAS”. (Not according to Schedule).
16. Points are awarded as follows: 1^st – 4 points, 2^nd – 3 points, 3^rd – 2 points, 4^th or Highly Commended – 1 point.
17. In the event of a tie for any trophy, the exhibitor gaining the most first prizes will be the winner.
18. The SPRING AND SUMMER SHOWS will be open to exhibitors and the public between 2 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. Exhibits must be removed between 4.30 p.m. and 5 p.m.
19. For the SPRING and SUMMER SHOWS all disputes must be submitted in writing to the Show Secretary or other officer of the Society before 3 p.m. on the day of the Show. Disputes will be considered by the Committee, whose decision shall be final.
20. The Dorothy Walters Cup, which is usually awarded at the Summer Show, is for the most points accumulated from prizes won at each of shows held within the year, excluding classes C1 – C3 (Vegetable Collections).