Having originally been sent the result to the 2019 competition (which I didn’t enter), I was relieved that in the actual results I had had some small success – I had entered 7 classes.
It’s all very well organised with independent judges working behind closed doors but the names on the cups (there are a lot of cups!) and certificates are all very familiar. There are 61 classes for fruit, veg and flowers and and about 15 cups, which are mainly awarded for a sum of points in single fruit, flower or veg classes, so who can win a cup (except the novice cups) is very dependant on who wins the classes. Nearly 50 classes were won by just 13 people. I feel something needs to change – mainly more people need to enter the shows, you have to be in it to win it, we are having a debrief at the monthly committee meeting next week perhaps something will come out of that.
As one of the ‘usual suspects’ I’d like to point out that 5 of my prizewinning entries in this years autumn show were chosen at the last minute. When I was putting out my exhibits I noticed that a couple of categories had no entries or that I had already discounted better flowers/fruit/veg than others were displaying. So I quickly nipped back to my plot, grabbed whatever I could and entered 5 additional classes.
Christina is right, many more people need to enter the shows. It takes confidence the first time and you think, as an amateur gardener, that you won’t have a chance but go ahead and you might be pleasantly surprised. The ‘usual suspects’ only win because they have entered the competition. My first entries in 2017 won a couple of 2nd and 3rd prizes and I was so amazed as I proudly showed another allotment holder my results. “Ah yes,” she said, “I’ve heard the standard is really low.”
Of course it’s not really low but what does it matter, anyway. We all like showing off our produce, whether it be by giving away our glut of tomatoes or taking a bunch of flowers to a friend. Here’s another opportunity to do just that, to be proud of what we have grown and to support the work of CHAS at the same time.
Go on, enter the shows in 2022! I’ll see you there.
Christina, yes I clicked the wrong button and sent you the 2019 results by mistake although the cup winers were attached to the newsletter on the 11th September 2021.
The entries for the Autumn show this year were inevitably reduced because of the unusual growing conditions and the effects of covid. Every year an appeal is put out for more entries, but as you say there is a relatively small group of people who win the trophies. If this small group is discouraged from entering because they have already / may win a trophy, the overall number of entries will undoubtedly reduce and put the shows at risk of not being held at all. The majority of allotmenteers are not competitive by nature, but just enjoy growing for their own satisfaction. However they do enjoy seeing what others are growing, as demonstrated by the larger than normal attendance at the show this year. As a judge at other local shows, i can assure you that by comparing the way our shows are managed, ours is more successful than many of them.
I am sure than any constructive suggestions you make will be taken on board by our Show Secretary.
As Dennis states, every year we try to encourage more people to have a go. It’s getting them to take that first step that’s difficult but those that do are usually surprised how undaunting it all is, and often pick up a surprise prize.
It’s very disappointing to say the least, though, that , proportionately, even fewer of the new and improved committee members than the previous ” largely ineffective” bunch bothered to make an effort. Maybe that’s something else that can be written into the new Committee rules – that each member should set an example and submit at least one entry.
Moreover, in order that rookies are not discouraged I for one would be prepared to restrict the number of entries I submit. If other of the ” usual suspecrs” were to do this, and it was made clear in the newsletters, then it could be that this will encourage potential entrants.