Spring Show 2026
What would be the best weather to ensure a super Spring Show? It would not be a sudden blaze of hot weather to bring on all the blossom, then more heat to dry said blossoms (the gardeners were the only people looking miserable while everybody else was trying out their shorts and suntan lotion) .And then very windy weather to blow away the shrivelled blossom. Great. That’s what we got.
But Ash Gardeners rose to the challenge and produced some lovely exhibits, some of which would usually have graced a summer show. There were daffodils in nearly all classes, including those not usually ready earlier in the year. Gary Bradbury entered N.bulbicoidium, the lovely hooped petticoat daffodil, which has never been exhibited in the show before, but the Boylett Cup was awarded to Jan Giles for her beautiful while Thalia daffodils. The weather had brought on more tulips, the winning entry by Rosemary Lines. There were many pot plants entered, the winning pot of spring bulbs – daffodil bulbs bought from Asda! The orchids were spectacular and Sarah Neden was awarded the Tower Cup for the best exhibit of flowers or vegetables for her orchids. It was too early for most vegetables although Gary Bradbury entered all four classes, triumphant in three of them, except the rhubarb which was won by Susan Hudson.
For the first time, there was a class for oasis-free flower arrangements and the Jutson Cup was won by Christine Brown whose arrangements were all oasis-free. All the entries were of a very high standard and the judge queried whether the exhibitors were professionals. Unfortunately, several arrangements exceeded the width limit and were disqualified.
The Society awards the Ted Sheppard Cup for the best first time exhibitor. Usually, this is someone who has just joined the Society. This year, it was one of our oldest members, Esther Spanton, who won. Esther waited over 20 years before entering a show. But then she didn’t wait to collect her Cup at the prize giving! That will have to be awarded at the May meeting (Sophie Leathart – Growing Plants for Cutting).
The Nina Vallack cookery prize was won by Suzy Rowe for her very professional-looking (and tasting) blackcurrant jam tarts beating the many ginger cakes and fruit loaves.
There were lots of entries for all the photographic classes, especially the close up of flower, which was won by first-time entrant Sue Comte for her photo of a double daisy (bellis). Sue also won the class for a question of balance, a dragonfly balancing on a twig, but the Gerry Edwards Cup was won by Liz Rath for the winter scene photo of decoy ducks covered in snow.
The Sylvia Profitt Cup for the best effort in the Children’s classes was won by Birdie Thomas for her flower arrangement and for her (partially melted) jelly in a rabbit mould. We hope she will be back next year to repeat her performance.
The Coat of Arms challenge produced a wide range of entries, from several Girl Guides, several families and even one generated by AI. But it was the village talent hot spot in School Road which came first and second, with a lego-built entry from the Steed family and a beautiful canine related entry from Tam Avery which included a dog latin motto.
The Cornelius Challenge Cup for the most points in the show was won by Liz Rath (27 points); joint second Gary Bradbury, Sarah Neden and Julie Waller with 17 points)
The Summer Show will take place on Saturday 19th September
