Autumn Show categories

View our list of categories for this year's Autumn Show.

Section A: Fruit (adults only)

  • ยทApples, cooking, dish of 4, distinct cultivar (optimum size for the cultivar)
  • Apples, dessert, dish of 4, distinct cultivar (not exceeding 75mm in diameter)
  • Strawberries, dish of 6, distinct cultivar, stalks intact
  • Blackberries or hybrid berries, dish of 8, distinct cultivar, stalks intact
  • Raspberries, dish of 8, distinct cultivar, stalks intact
  • Apple, heaviest, dish of 1
  • Pears, dessert, dish of 4, distinct cultivar
  • Plums, dessert, dish of 4, distinct cultivar
  • Trug or basket of fruit (minimum of 4 varieties) arranged for effect. Unfilled trug/basket dimensions must not exceed 40cm (width) x 40cm (length) x 20cm (height).

OR any other fruit (not included above):

These will be divided into 2 categories for judging purposes, based on the maximum exhibition value of points available dependent on the difficulty of producing a perfect dish:

  • Category A maximum points for a dish (up to 15 points maximum)
  • Category B maximum points for a dish (16 points and above)

Exhibitors will be contacted by the show administrator to advise what quantity is required for the fruit indicated.

Section B: Vegetables (adults only)

  • Beetroot, globe, 1 dish of 4. Trim foliage approx. Tap root
  • Carrots, long, 1 dish of 3. Trim foliage approx 75mm. Long tap root, e.g. New Red Intermediate, St. Valery
  • Carrots, stumprooted, 1 dish of 3.  Trim foliage approx 75mm. Long tap root, e.g. Sweet Candle, Nandor, Norwich, Speedo, Chantenay Red Cored Favourite
  • Cucumber, grown under glass, 1 dish of 2, matching
  • Cucumber, grown outdoors, 1 dish of 2, matching
  • Marrow, 1 dish of 2, matching. Not exceeding 350mm in length
  • Marrow, heaviest, dish of 1
  • Onions, prepared, under 250g, 1 dish of 3
  • Onions, exhibition, over 250g, 1 dish of 3
  • Leeks, 1 dish of 2
  • Peppers, sweet, 1 dish of 3 matching
  • Peppers, hot (chilli), 1 dish of 6 matching
  • Potatoes, white, 1 dish of 4, clean, few eyes
  • Potatoes, other than white, 1 dish of 4, clean, few eyes
  • Turnips, 1 dish of 3. Trim foliage down to 75mm
  • Parsnips, 1 dish of 3, matching
  • Pumpkin, heaviest, dish of 1
  • Shallots, 1 dish of 6, under 30mm diameter
  • Shallots, 1 dish of 6, over 30mm diameter
  • Squash, summer or winter variety, 1 dish of 2, matching
  • Sweetcorn, 1 dish of 2, matching..
  • Tomatoes. Small fruited, plum or cherry cultivars, 1 dish of 8. Not more than 35mm in diameter, with calyces
  • Tomatoes, Medium, 1 dish of 6. 35mm to 75mm in diameter, with calyces
  • Tomatoes, Large, 1 dish of 4, not less than 75mm in diameter, with calyce
  •  Trug or basket of vegetables (minimum of 4 varieties) arranged for effect. Unfilled trug/basket dimensions must not exceed 40cm (width) x 40cm (length) x 20cm (height)

OR any other vegetable (not included above)

These will be divided into 2 categories for judging purposes, based on the maximum exhibition value of points available dependent on the difficulty of producing a perfect dish:

  • Category A maximum points for a dish (up to 15 points maximum)
  • Category B maximum points for a dish (16 points and above)

Exhibitors will be contacted by the show administrator to advise what quantity is required for the fruit indicated.

Section C:  Herbs (adults only)

  • Herbs, 3 bunches, 3 different kinds in water and named

  • Herb, growing in a pot.  Pot must not exceed 30cm in width at neck

Section D: Children

Please note: All children's entries must be arranged without assistance from an adult.  

9-year-olds and under

  • Piece of art, painted or sketched, with a fruit or vegetable theme
  • One Child's Wellington Boot, planted

10 to 16-year-olds

  • Piece of art, painted or sketched, with a fruit or vegetable theme
  • One Child's Wellington Boot, planted

Section E: Art (adults only - over-16s)

  • 1 exhibit: painted, drawn, sculpted or photographed with a fruit or vegetable theme
    • painted or drawn - maximum size A4
    • sculpture - to fit within 45cm x 45cm x 45cm space
    • photographic entries - maximum size 15cm x 20cm (approx 8"x 6") - unmounted

Section F: Handicrafts (adults only - over 16s)

  • 1 exhibit: knitted, crocheted, or embroidered with a fruit or vegetable theme

Section G: Floral Art (adults only - over 16s)

  • An Autumn wreath: 1 exhibit of natural plant material with accessories. Maximum size must not exceed 30cm (12'') when decorated.

Section H: Home produce

  • 4 cupcakes decorated with a fruit or vegetable theme
  • 1 jar of jam made with any locally grown soft fruit
  • 1 jar of jam made with any locally grown stoned fruit
  • 1 jar of chutney, pickle or piccalilli made with locally grown produce

Note: Jam, chutney, pickle and piccalilli entries must be presented in an unopened plain clear glass jar with a sealed lid and be clearly labelled with the contents and the day, month and year of making. No other information is to be included which would identify the maker of the product.

Jars should be filled to within 1.25cm (half inch) of the top of the jar, thoroughly cleaned and sterilised. If a twist top or pliable press-on cover is used it must be new. Jars and lids must not bear commercial names.

Section I: Dahlias

Vases will be supplied by the show organiser on the day.

Containers (where stated) to be supplied by the competitor.

  • 1 Vase, 1 specimen bloom, large or giant cactus or formal decorative (minimum 220mm)
  • 1 Vase, 1 specimen bloom, medium formal decorative or cactus (170mm to 210mm)
  • 1 Vase, 1 specimen bloom, miscellaneous - (but not cactus or formal decorative)
  • 1 Vase, 3 blooms, small or miniature decorative, 1 or more cultivars (maximum 150mm)
  • 1 Vase, 3 blooms, small or miniature cactus, 1 or more cultivars
  • 1 vase, 3 blooms, small or miniature ball, 1 or more cultivars
  • 1 Vase, 3 blooms, pompon, 1 or more cultivars, under 52mm diameter
  • 1 Vase, 3 blooms, water lily type, 1 or more cultivars
  • 1 Vase, 3 blooms, medium cactus, 1 or more cultivars
  • 1 Container (to be supplied by competitor) of dahlias, 6 to 12 blooms arranged for frontal effect (foliage other than dahlia may be used
Page last updated: 16 Apr 2024