Show Rules & Guidelines

Society Definitions

Exhibit	This is composed of natural plant material, with or without accessories, contained within the space specified.
Natural Plant Material	This is any vegetable matter. It includes fresh, dried, garden, wild or made up plant material, flowers, foliage, fruit, vegetables or seaweed. All may be additionally coloured.

General Rules for Exhibitors

1	The Society shall be known as THE CROWHURST & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
2	All persons intending to exhibit must give notice to the Show Secretary not later than the Wednesday preceding the Show in which they wish to exhibit, by handing in their completed entry form and paying the necessary fees. Late entries may be accepted at the discretion of the Show Secretary. If accepted, double the normal entry fee will be payable.
3	All exhibits must be staged before 10.30 am on the morning of the Show, at which time the hall will be cleared for judging. THIS RULE WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED.
4	Produce must have been grown by the Exhibitor in his or her own garden or allotment for not less than two months preceding the Show unless otherwise stated in the schedule.
5	Exhibitors must supply their own trays, dishes, vases, or other receptacles for their exhibits (unless otherwise stated). A vase must have a greater height than the diameter of its mouth.
6	Collections of vegetables must contain the distinct kinds specified. (Distinct kinds mean for instance, Peas, Beans, Carrots, Cabbage etc.). Antirrhinums, Petunias, Verbena, Phlox drummondi, are classified as annuals for the purpose of the show schedule.
7	No exhibits may be removed before 4.30pm at any of the shows. The Committee will be pleased to accept any exhibits to sell for the Benefit of the Society.
8	The Committee will appoint the Judges, whose decision will be FINAL. Judges are empowered to withhold prizes where there is not sufficient competition, or when the exhibits are of insufficient merit. They can award extra prizes with the consent of the Committee, who will set the amount.
9	No exhibitor may enter more than one exhibit in any class.
10	The points awarded for the Challenge Cups will be: 3 for a first prize, 2 for a second and 1 for a third. Winners of the Cups must undertake to return the cups to the Show Manager two weeks before the relevant show in the following year.
11	All vegetables will be judged by their fitness for use, and must be divested of all superfluous leaves. Lettuce to be shown with the roots on.
12	The Committee reserve the right to inspect any garden or allotment of any exhibitor, and to decide any questions not provided for in these rules.
13	Any objection must be lodged in writing before 4pm on the day of the Show together with a 50p deposit, which will be refunded if the objection is upheld.
14	Judging for all the shows will be guided by R.H.S. rules, amplified where necessary by the regulations of specialist societies such as the N.D.S., R.N.R.S. and N.A.F.A.S.
15	The Society will take all possible care of the exhibits, but will not be responsible for any loss or damage that may arise.
16	Prize money not collected before the close of the Show will be donated to the Society.

Crowhurst Top Vase - Summer Show

The Crowhurst Top Vase Class is for a vase of mixed flowering stems containing a total of between five and ten stems taken from a minimum of two different kinds of plants. Please note that it is two different kinds of plants. Two varieties of the same plant are not two kinds.
The display will be judged out of a total of 35 points split into 25 points for the colour, form, condition, quality and freshness of the flowers on display and 10 points for the overall presentation and effect of the flowers in the vase. The vase will be viewed from all directions. Judging of the flowers should be to the normal rules used for other classes.
Stems used must be showing flower only. No seed heads or berries allowed.
The vase can be any shape and size and made from any material but must be in proportion to the display. No marks are awarded for the vase itself.
No accessories whatsoever such as bows and additional foliage will be allowed. Foliage which is growing naturally from the flowering stem and still attached to that stem is allowed. Packing material including florists foam to keep the stems in place is allowed.

Crowhurst Top Tray - Autumn Show

The Crowhurst Top Tray class is for a display of three types of vegetables from the following list of eight. The quantity of each vegetable required for the display is given in brackets: carrots(3), cauliflowers(2), onions (3), parsnips(3), peas(6), potatoes(3), runner beans(6), tomatoes(6).
Each type of vegetable will be judged using a scale of 20 points, split into three sections. There are 7 points for size, shape & colour, 7 points for condition & 6 points for uniformity. All vegetables are to be displayed for effect.
Vegetables must be displayed in an area measuring 18 × 24"(45x60cm) without bending any part of them. No part of any exhibit may exceed the tray size.
A tray or board measuring 18"x24"(45x60cm) can be used to display the vegetables, or the area can simply be marked on the staging. Where a tray has a lip or edge, the internal measurements must not exceed 18"x24" (45x60cm).
A black cloth is permitted and trays may be painted. Parsley is allowed for garnishing but no other foliage or accessories, such as plates, back boards, sand or rings, will be allowed. Onion tops may be tied or whipped using raffia.