The Show Rules
Exhibitors can enter as many classes as desired. No exhibitor is allowed more than one entry in each class. Exhibitors must provide everything necessary to show their entries and must set them themselves on tables or boards in the marquee.
Exhibitors in the Cottage Classes must be residents of Orford, Sudbourne or Gedgrave. Entries must be created by and be the property of the exhibitor. Entries must have been grown or produced by the exhibitor, except for classes 134-139.
Your entry will be disqualified if it does not exactly match the number, size, colour, weight etc as stated in the schedule e.g. entering 6 apples when 5 are required. Please double check this when you do your staging. Each entry must have its matching ENTRY CARD, NAME SIDE DOWN.
Judging of vegetables, flowers and pot plants will follow the official RHS guide. A prize will not be awarded in any class if, in the Judges opinion, no entry is of a satisfactory standard. The Committee reserves the right to decline any entry or withhold any prize. Any protest should be submitted to the Marquee Manager by 2.30 pm. The Committee’s ruling will be final.
The Committee shall not be responsible for any loss or damage to entries. Any entries not collected from the marquee by 5.45 pm will be removed by the Committee.
Tips & Guidance
for Exhibitors
Vegetables
Exhibitors may present fruit on plates, dishes or mats; white is preferable. Larger entries can simply be placed on the tressle tables. Dressed onions and shallots - dry and rough outer skin removed, tops turned over and tied, preferably with straw coloured raffia. Traditionally, dressed onions and shallots are stood in kiln dried sand on a white plate. Remove some of the rough, dry skin on onions (not too much). RHS state: "shallots - neatly tied”.
Leave the tops (leaves and foliage) on carrots and beetroots and the stalks on beans, cucumbers, courgettes, marrows and peppers. Ideally, runner beans should be straight. When the heaviest or longest is required, quality is not important, unless in the event of a tie.
Fruit
Try to pick fruit early on the morning of the show - 6am! Tomatoes should be ripe, calyx intact. Leave stalks on fruit. If a 'dish' is specified for example raspberries, it should comprise 6-12 fruits, matching in size and colour.
Flowers
When entering cut flowers please note that any buds present will be counted as flowers. Bought-in blooms and foliage are only allowed in classes 134-139.
More details on sizes (dahlias) and on foliage and buds (marigolds & roses) are given on the class list.
Beverages
You must be 18 or over to enter alcoholic drinks (over 0.5% ABV).
Beverages should be in clean, clear 75cl glass bottles, labelled, stating ingredients.
Cookery and Preserves
If practical, use bio-degradable plastic rather than covering with cling film. When size is specified, your entry must be that size. Jars of preserves must be not less than 227g, ½ lb. Entries should not be warm. Fresh cream as a topping, filling or decoration is not permitted. Jars and lids should be clean, clear and not bear a brand name. For jams, cellophane covers are acceptable.
Handicraft
A quilt must have three layers: top, wadding and backing. It may be machine or hand-stitched. Any items of jewellery, or anything of any value, are entered at your own risk and are not the responsibility of the committee.
Art and Photography
Photographs, including children’s, should preferably be unframed and mounted on lightweight card with a maximum size of A4. Art should also preferably be unframed. Entries must be submitted for hanging NO LATER THAN 9.00 am. Please remember to collect your work at the end of the show.
Children's Classes
A separate entry form should be completed for each child. Each entry must be the child’s own work. Support and encouragement may be given, but no direct help – except the children’s scarecrow, where adult help is OK.
Guidance for growing, making and exhibiting can be found on the internet. The use of organic growing practises is encouraged, as are organic ingredients in cookery and preserves although this will not be taken into consideration by judges. Please avoid the use of single use plastic for your exhibits. Good luck!
Judging
All Judges (except for Art, Photography and Graphic Design) are representatives of Suffolk Horticultural and Produce Association. (SHAPA). It was originally founded as the Village Produce Association in 1941 to support the war effort when people were encouraged to ‘dig for victory’. It’s main role now is to support it’s member horticultural societies across Suffolk.