MALDON & HEYBRIDGE

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

YEAR BOOK

2008

INCLUDING

SPRING SHOW (Evening)

Tuesday 18^th March

SUMMER SHOW

Saturday 26^th July

BEST KEPT FRONT GARDEN COMPETITION

BEST KEPT ALLOTMENT COMPETITION

TALLEST SUNFLOWER COMPETITION

HALLOWEEN HIGHLIGHTS COMPETITION

JANSHAVEN CUP COMPETITION

OUTINGS DETAILS

MEMBERS MEETINGS

These meetings are held on most months throughout the year, on the third Tuesday of each month at the United Reformed Church Hall, Maldon from 7.30pm.  These meetings are also advertised on posters throughout the town prior to the meeting and details can be found in our monthly newsletters.

Special MHHS Members Meeting (joint with Purleigh) –  Talk by Christine Walkden

To be held at Maldon Town Hall on Saturday 4 October 2008 together with book signing, refreshments, huge raffle.  Entry by ticket, available later in the year.

OUTINGS 2008

There is an exiting and varied array of outings being booked for this year.  Most have been provisionally booked as the Year Book is printed but all information, dates and booking forms will be in appropriate newsletters.  Make a date in your diaries. 

Day Visits: 

   1.          April                         Kew Gardens for spring bulbs and colour

   2.          June                         Nymans Garden, W Sussex, National Trust,

                                                 30 acres of summer gardens              

   3.          October                   Pensthorpe Place, wildlife and conservation,

                                                  award winning gardens      

Evening Visits:                          Local garden visit, to be advised in the newsletters

MHHS AND AFFILIATED ORGANISATIONS

The Society is affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society, The National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners Essex Branch and the Maldon Twinning Association.  These bring benefits of advice and magazines held in the Society for all Members to see and borrow and there are online links through the society’s website www.mhhs.co.uk

MHHS WEBSITE – www.mhhs.co.uk

Visit our updated website for Society information, details of forthcoming events, latest newsletter and photo gallery.

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SHOW REGULATIONS

For dates of entries and entry fees - exhibitors are referred to the entry forms.

 1.  All exhibits in Classes 1 – 42 of the Spring Show and  1 - 58 of the Summer Show must have been grown in the exhibitor’s own greenhouse, grounds or allotment and must have been in the possession of the exhibitor at least two months before the date of the Show.

 2.  Only one entry per class is permitted and where there is more than one per household, the entry must have been produced by the competitor.

 3.  Exhibits should be named if possible. Correct naming will be considered in the case of close competition.

 4.  Club vases should be used by competitors wherever possible.  Special tables are provided for ‘setting up’ exhibits and must be used.

 5.  Three prizes per class (minimum of four entries) plus highly commended may be awarded at the discretion of the Judges, according to the merit of the exhibit.

 6.  Any exhibitor gaining a prize by means of deception will forfeit, on detection, such prize.

 7.  The Society reserves the right to refuse any entry in any class, should it be deemed expedient and claims the right to visit exhibitors’ greenhouses, grounds or allotments after entries have been received.

 8.  Any protest against an exhibit must be lodged with the Show Secretary not later than one hr. after the Show opens, with a deposit of 50p, which will be refunded if the protest is upheld. The Judges’ decisions are otherwise final.

 9.  Classes are open to all who do not employ assistance regularly.

10. All exhibits, personal property, etc. will be the risk of the exhibitor and the Society will not be liable for any compensation for the loss or damage by theft, fire, water, accident or any other cause whatsoever.

11. All Trophies will be returned to the Show Secretary when requested, approximately eleven months after the date of presentation.

12. In all classes points scoring is on a basis of:

3 for first; 2 for second; 1 for third.

13. The Society reserves the right to limit the number of entries in any class.

14. Entries for the Summer Show Flower Arrangement Section C MUST be          

      made by Wednesday 23^rd July 2008. No late entries accepted.

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15. Late entry cards written on Show Day are Members 30p, Non-members 50p. SEE ENTRY FORM.

16. Any matter arising which is not governed by the rules will be referred to the                              society for a decision.

Vegetables should be displayed within the confines of an area of 45 x 60 cm (18”x 24”) without bending any part of them. This may be in a tray or on a board or simply marked out on the staging. A black cloth is permitted to stage on, or the tray may be painted. The only garnishing material allowed is parsley (no plates sand or onion rings). Winner of the Class will receive a Garden News Certificate and £10 seed voucher, 2^nd prize Certificate and £5 voucher, 3^rd prize Certificate and £3 voucher.  Sponsors are D T Brown.

POINTS:- Each individual dish of vegetables shall be judged to a maximum of 20 points, split into 3 allowing 7 points for freshness, 7 points for condition and 6 points for uniformity with a total of 60 points. All vegetables to be displayed for effect.

entered in a super prize draw.

Stems must be showing flowers only; no seed heads or berries. Foliage growing naturally from the flowering stem is allowed. The vase should be proportional to the display and provided by M.HHS.  Packing  material to keep stems upright is allowed but no accessories such as bows or additional foliage.  Winner of the Class will receive a Garden News Certificate and £10 seed voucher, 2^nd prize Certificate and £5 voucher, 3^rd prize Certificate and £3 voucher.  Garden News  will be notified of the winners names and address and entered into a super seed voucher prize draw.  Sponsors are Mr Fothergill

The display will be judged out of a total of 35 points, split into 25 points for colour, form, condition, quality and freshness and 10 points for overall presentation and effect in the vase. Vase to be viewed from all directions. Judging of the flowers should be the normal rules used for other classes.

A GUIDE FOR EXHIBITORS

1.   NOTE VERY CAREFULLY AND OBSERVE STRICTLY THE CONDITIONS IN THE SCHEDULE AS TO ENTRIES AND THE TIMES FOR STAGING AND FOR THE JUDGES TO COMMENCE THEIR DUTIES.

2.   COMPLY EXACTLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS AS TO NUMBER OF FRUITS OR VEGETABLES FOR A DISH, OR FLOWERS FOR A STAND; OR AS TO THE NUMBER OF DISHES OF FRUITS, OR VEGETABLES OR BUNCHES OF FLOWERS FOR A COLLECTION, AS THE CASE MAY BE.

3.   BEAR IN MIND THAT ONE ITEM MORE, OR ONE LESS, DISQUALIFIES; ALSO THAT NO JUDGE HAS THE RIGHT HIMSELF TO RECTIFY THE ERRORS OF A COMPETITOR AND THUS “ASSIST” HIM TO WIN A PRIZE.

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4.   LABELS WITH THE NAMES OF THE CULTIVARS TO BE EXHIBITED SHOULD BE PREPARED AT HOME IN ORDER TO SAVE TIME ON THE SHOW DAY. IT IS BEST TO USE BLOCK LETTERS. ON ARRIVAL AT THE PLACE OF THE SHOW AN EXHIBITOR SHOULD IMMEDIATELY PROCURE HIS ENTRY-CARDS FROM THE SHOW SECRETARY OR WHOEVER HAS BEEN DEPUTED TO DEAL WITH THEM. BOTH LABELS AND ENTRY CARDS SHOULD BE PLACED IN POSITION ON THE EXHIBITS IN GOOD TIME AND CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO SEE THAT THEY CORRESPOND TO THE EXHIBITS.

5.  READ CAREFULLY THE WORDING OF THE CLASS AND ALL SECTIONS OF THE RULES WHICH IN ANY WAY RELATE TO YOUR PROPOSED EXHIBIT AND IF YOU HAVE ANY DIFFICULTY IN UNDERSTANDING THEM, WRITE OR SPEAK TO THE SECRETARY OF THE SHOW AT LEAST A WEEK BEFORE IT IS DUE TO TAKE PLACE.

6.   THOUGH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF HAVING ALL ARRANGEMENTS COMPLETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES AND REGULATIONS RESTS WITH THE MANAGERS OF THE SHOW, EXHIBITORS MAY AND SHOULD HELP MATERIALLY IN CARRYING THEM OUT TO THE MUTUAL ADVANTAGE OF ALL.

7.     EXHIBITORS SHOULD NOTE THAT EXHIBITS SHOULD NOT BE POLISHED IN ANY WAY AND THAT SOFT FRUIT SHOULD BE EXHIBITED WITH STALKS ATTACHED. WITH VEGETABLES, ROOTS MUST BE WASHED.

8.   EXHIBITS IN SECTION ‘D’ (DOMESTIC CLASSES) SHOULD BE DISPLAYED IN PLASTIC BAGS RATHER THAN CLING FILM OR FOIL.

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AWARDS AND CUPS

SPRING SHOW

Highest Points                 -   Section A-                The Basil Frost Cup

Highest Points                -   Section B -                Charter Trustees Cup

Highest Points                 -   Section C -                Hilary Rose Bowl

Highest Points                -   Section D -                The Silver Candlestick

Best Exhibit                     -   Section D -               Lawrence Welsh Perpetual Memorial  Trophy

SUMMER SHOW

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BEST KEPT FRONT GARDEN  

Highest Points                                 Town Cup, £5 Voucher, £5 Cheque

2^nd Highest Points                                           £5 Voucher

3^rd Highest Points                                           Certificate

ALLOTMENTS COMPETITION  

SUNFLOWER COMPETITION  

HALLOWEEN HIGHLIGHTS COMPETITION  

MEMBERS' MEETINGS

CASH PRIZES ALL SHOWS

ALL CLASSES UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED (EXCEPT CLASS 1 & 39)

FIRST - £1 : SECOND -  75p : THIRD - 50p

JUDGES                                                                                                                                            

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HELPFUL HINTS FOR EXHIBITING

Vegetables

These should be clean, fresh, tender and without blemish.  Root crops should be carefully lifted and sponged with cold water.  Fibrous roots should be carefully removed.  Exhibits should be covered to exclude light until required for staging.  Uniformity is important.

Beans                    straight, firm, crisp and uniform

Beetroot                tender, firm with small tap roots

Cabbages                medium sized, firm and free from holes and pests

Carrots and

Parsnips                evenly shaped roots

Cucumbers                young, tender, straight, of uniform thickness with flowers still

                                adhering

Leeks                    long stemmed, blanched, not bulbous

Lettuce                  firm with crisp outer leaves and of good colour

Marrows                fit for the table, well shaped, young and preferably green

Onions                   large, solid, thin necked, clear skinned and well ripened

Potatoes                good shape, not too large, shallow eyed and free from disease

Shallots                 solid, well ripened and thin necked.  Size according to the schedule

Tomatoes             ripe, clean and firm

Flowers

Freshness is essential.  To obtain this, flowers should be cut in the evening or very early in the morning before the show and plunged in water up to their necks.  Aim at uniformity when staging.  Show vases are available at the shows.

Chrysanthemums   

Blooms should have depth and breadth and firmness;  

                                     smoothness with symmetry; freshness with colour & brightness

Dahlias                  Blooms should correspond strictly to the variety exhibited.   A

                                Dahlia bloom should be fully developed, untarnished,

                                symmetrical and with its own particular colour

Pelargoniums      Zonal pelargoniums should have rounded leaves often attractively ringed, whereas Regal pelargoniums should be

                                ‘saw-edged’, the flowers being veined or spotted with a second

                                colour.  The flowers of Regal pelargoniums are usually larger

                                than those of Zonal pelargoniums

Exhibitors should check carefully the internal diameter of any pot to ensure it

conforms with the size required by the show schedule.  A measurement stamped

on the pot may not be accurate.

Fruit

Stage apples, pears and plums with the natural bloom on the fruit, they must not

be polished.  Fruit should be at least average size for the variety and perfect in

colour, form and condition.  In culinary fruits size is a merit if quality is not lacking.

Stage all fruit with stalks.  Uniformity is important.

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Preserves                No commercial markings on jars.  Wax discs and cellophane top must be used.  Chutney and pickles must have a vinegar proof lid.

When judging collections of vegetables, the judges will use the RHS schedule for awarding points: