Haversham-cum-Little Linford Parish

September is now only a few months away and we know that many of you will have already started thinking about your entries for this year’s show.  Whether you are planning to enter for the first time, or you are a veteran with many years’ experience and a trophy or two to your name , there is a wide range of classes for you to choose from, for both adults and children. It would be wonderful to see as many of our community as possible entering at least one class this year to show us your skills and creativity -- and have some fun along the way!  

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To help guide you to success , here are some tips on preparation and presentation:

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PHOTOGRAPHY

Is your picture:

• well-constructed?

• well balanced?

• in the right focus?

• reflecting the subject matter effectively?

• Photographs can be mounted but not framed.

 

Images must have been taken by the exhibitor so they have copyright.  No AI generated images please.

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VEGETABLES AND FRUIT

• All items should be matched for size and colour

• Always have the correct number

• Tomatoes should have their stalks attached

• Ideally beetroot has its leaves; also carrots

• Onions/shallots have their necks tied down neatly

• For items placed on a paper plate, no soil please.

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FLOWERS

Cut Flowers

• Choose exhibits that are in good condition, when they are at their most perfect and all parts are fresh and free from damage due to weather, pests, diseases, careless handling, etc.

• In vases of one kind of flower, choose exhibits that are the most uniform, that is, when they are most alike in age, size and form

• Make sure your vase is clean and the right size for the flower/s being exhibited

 

Pot plants

• Turn frequently to avoid lopsided growth and water as necessary to make sure the plants are fresh for the show

• Pots or containers should be clean and undamaged

• The exhibit should be large for the particular type of plant, well-balanced in shape and in good health.

 

Arrangements

• Make sure you interpret the title of the class you are entering and use appropriate plant material for that class.

• Keep within the measurements allowed – the judges do measure!

• Condition your plant material thoroughly, i.e. gather foliage 24 hours beforehand and stand foliage and flowers in buckets of cool water in a cool place

• Ensure your plant material is in peak condition and there are no damaged leaves or blooms

• Stakes, wires etc. are fine as long as they are neat and do not look ugly.

 

DOMESTIC PRODUCE

Cookery exhibits are marked on a combination of internal and external standards as follows:

• External appearance – colour, shape and uniformity

• Internal appearance – texture and the even distribution of ingredients

• Flavour – flavour and aroma, as entries must be enjoyable to eat. Flavour is paramount. If entries are neck-and-neck, flavour will dictate a winner.

• Read the schedule carefully to make sure that your entry complies in all components, i.e. size, weight, and numbers in each exhibit as appropriate.

 

Preserves

• Presentation is important and the judge is looking for clean jars, straight labels, clear contents and dates

• There should be no air bubbles or foam within the contents

• Jars should be filled to within 1 cm of the top

• Avoid sealing your jars with metal lids - use wax circles and cellophane.

 

ARTS AND CRAFTS

The judge will be looking at the following:

• Materials used – are they appropriate for the item, too heavy, too light, etc?

• Stitching – colours chosen, is it neat, finished off?

• Textures – use of interesting textures and a range of textures will catch the eye of the judge

• Colour – is it pleasant to look at? Do the colours, stitches and any embellishments go together?

• Finish – the judge will look closely at how your item is finished off – are the stitches neat, the ends sewn in almost invisibly?

• Originality – for a self-design item, is it a pleasing and original design?

• Attention to detail – this is what will catch the eye of the judge. What is special about your item that makes it a bit more eye-catching than everything else on the table?

 

Getting more Help and Final Advice

The internet is awash with ideas and information on all the classes. If you are a bit unsure, why not take a look on YouTube as there are lots of videos with great ideas and clear instructions.

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Along with our regular array of prizes, don’t forget that we have our ‘Best Entry from Under-18s’ award to present – introduced last year – for children aged 14-17 years on day of show whose entries in any class will be considered.

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Remember – the more entries you make in a category, the better your chances of winning one of the awards. However, the truly enjoyable thing is the taking part and coming together with the rest of the village!   You do not have to be a Parish resident to enter – that is a requirement for the overall show prize, but non-residents are eligible for every other award.

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More details, as well as the Entry Form, will be distributed with the August/September issue of the magazine, plus made available online. If you have any particular questions related to entries in the weeks leading up to the show, please feel free to email us on villageshow@havershamsocialcentre.org.uk and we will do our best to answer them.

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Have fun, and we hope to see you all on 5th September!

HSCC Events Team