Autumn Show 2025 Schedule and Rules

This year's theme is 'Animals'

Schedule of Classes Open to Adults Only

Please refer to show rules on our website and in the schedule.

VEGETABLE

FLORAL

*Cut flowers must be shown in the vases provided.

FLORAL ART

Sizes stated are maximum staging area provided

Plant material to predominate. No artificial plant material permitted.

DOMESTIC

*The winner of class 143 will be awarded the Barbara Waghorn Bowl

PHOTOGRAPHY, ART AND CRAFT

*The winner of class 167 will be awarded the Olive Markham Cup

THE CHALLENGE CUP

Schedule of Classes Open to Children

A £5 prize or gift will be awarded to the winners of most points in each age group, with rosettes for all placings.

RULES FOR THE COLEMANS HATCH TOP TRAY CLASS

1. The Coleman’s Hatch Top Tray Class is for a display of three vegetables chosen from the following eight.  The quantity of each vegetable needed is shown in brackets.   CARROTS (3) - without top foliage CAULIFLOWER (3) ONIONS (3) PARSNIPS (3) without top foliage PEAS (6) POTATOES (3) RUNNER BEANS (6) TOMATOES (6)
2. For Carrots and Parsnips, the top foliage should be trimmed to not more than 3" (7.5cm) from the top shoulder of the vegetable.
3. The vegetables should be displayed within the area of 18" (45cm) by 24" (60cm). All vegetables must be displayed within the confines of this area and no part of any vegetable may come out of it.  A tray or board measuring 18" (45cm) by 24" (60cm) can be used to display the vegetables, or the area can simply be marked out on the staging.  Where trays have a lip or edge it is the internal measurement that must be no greater than 18" (45cm) by 24" (60cm).
4. A Black Base Cloth is permitted, or the tray can be painted.   The only garnish material allowed is Parsley. No other material is allowed at all. (No plates, sand, onion rings, etc.)
5. The Society staging the Coleman’s Hatch Top Tray Class will be responsible for the judging to RHS rules for each individual vegetable (please see the Horticultural Show Handbook published by the RHS).
6. The winner of the Coleman’s Hatch Top Tray Class will receive a £10.00 Garden Token.

              RULES FOR THE COLEMANS HATCH TOP VASE CLASS

1. The Coleman’s Hatch Top Vase class is for a vase of mixed flowers 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 flower are NOT two kinds.
2. 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 plants in the vase. The vase will be viewed from all directions. Judging of the flowers will be to normal RHS rules.
3. Plants used in the display must be showing flowers only: no seed heads or berries are 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.
4. No accessories whatsoever - such as bows and additional foliage - will be allowed. Foliage that is growing naturally from the flowering stem, and still attached to that stem will be allowed. Packing material, including florists’ foam, to keep the stems upright and in place is allowed. The winner of the Coleman’s Hatch Top Vase class will receive a £10.00 Garden Token.

Autumn Show Rules 2025

 (Royal Horticultural Society Rules apply)

1. The Entry fee for adults is 50p per Class, to be paid with submission of the entry form. Fee to a maximum of £10, after which further classes are free.  No charge for children.

      NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED.

2    All exhibits must be the property of the exhibitor. Horticultural exhibits must have been in the possession of the exhibitor for at least two months prior to the Show, unless grown from seed in a shorter period. This rule does not apply to entries in the flower arrangement classes.

3    The Committee reserves the right to visit any exhibitor’s garden.

4    No one shall enter more than one exhibit in any single class; neither shall there be more than one exhibit from the same garden in any one class.

5    For Section Two, the definition of “novice” will be any member who has not won a cup or medal for the past three years for the particular kinds of vegetables, fruits or flowers mentioned in the Novice Class. Anyone who is in doubt as to the interpretation of this rule should not hesitate to consult any member of the Committee whose telephone number is shown in this schedule.

6    All classes and awards to be at the discretion of the judges who may withhold or modify prizes as they see fit. The judges’ decision is FINAL.

7    All complaints to be lodged with the Show Secretary before 3 p.m

8    All exhibits must be staged between 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. and exhibitors must leave the area by 10 a.m.

9    Judging will commence at 10:30 a.m.   Once the exhibit has been staged it may not be altered or removed until after the presentation of trophies (except by special permission of the Show Secretary).

10  Where classes are marked *, cut flowers MUST be shown in the vases provided.

11  All horticultural exhibits should be correctly named where possible. Lack of name labels or errors in naming will not disqualify the entry but the judges will regard correct and clear naming as telling in favour of an exhibit in close competition.

12 ANY EXHIBIT THAT DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE WORDING OF THE SCHEDULE MAY, AT THE DISCRETION OF THE JUDGES, BE DISQUALIFIED.

13  In the event of a tie in the classes for Collections of Vegetables, a maximum of five points will be awarded for display.

14  All trophies are the property of the Coleman’s Hatch Horticultural Society and must be returned to the Show Secretary 1 month before the next Show or on request.

15  All exhibits, personal property, etc. are entered solely at exhibitor’s risk and the society shall not be liable for loss or damage to such items from any cause whatsoever.