2026 SCHEDULE

This summary of the schedule is provided for ease of use, but if in doubt please ask us, or refer to the (more detailed) official printed schedule available on the day of the show.

Section A: VEGETABLES & FRUIT

1 A collection of 5 different vegetables, quantities as specified in classes 3-25, on a board or in a trug (or similar) max size 76 x 60 cm

2 A collection of potatoes, 3 potatoes each from 3 varieties

3 3 potatoes, white

4 3 potatoes, coloured

5 6 runner beans

6 6 french beans

7 3 beetroots, foliage trimmed

8 6 radishes, foliage untrimmed

9 3 onions, large exhibition

10 5 onions, 250 gm or under

11 7 shallots, large

12 10 shallots, pickling, not to exceed 3 cm diameter

13 6 pods of peas, one variety (not mange tout)

14 A marrow

15 5 tomatoes, ordinary

16 10 tomatoes, small fruited (eg cherry)

17 1 truss of cherry tomatoes

18 A pair of cucumbers, any type

19 A bulb of garlic

20 3 carrots, foliage trimmed

21 3 parsnips, foliage trimmed

22 2 courgettes, approximately 15 cm long

23 2 sweet peppers, any colour

24 6 chilli peppers, any colour

25 2 leeks, tied and not trimmed

26 Any other vegetable not previously mentioned

27 5 different kinds of vegetables and/or fruit (one of each) – ‘you’ve grown it we’d like to see it’ – on a plate or dish, max size 30 cm diameter

28 10 raspberries on a small plate

29 5 dessert apples, ripe, any variety

30 A small plate of any other ripe fruit

31 A collection of fruit, ripe, three kinds

32 3 herbs in a jam jar, not in flower

33 Club vegetable challenge

34 Top Grower: a vegetable exhibit (as specified in classes 2-26) and a cut flower exhibit (as specified in classes 50-72, excluding 53)

35 Longest runner bean

36 An unusually shaped vegetable

Section B: Flowers & Plants

• Pots should have an internal diameter of no more than 25 cm.
• For details of dahlia classifications see
https://www.dahlia-nds.co.uk/about-dahlias/classification/

50 3 stems of roses in one vase, same variety

51 A specimen rose in a vase

52 1 multi-headed rose stem, any variety

53 Best Scented Rose (to be judged by visitors to the show)

54 9 stems of annual sweet peas, mixed, at least three varieties

55 5 stems of annual sweet peas, one variety

56 3 gladioli, any variety

57 A specimen gladiolus spike

58 A vase of mixed herbaceous perennials, 50 cm width allowed

59 A vase of single stems of 3 flowering shrubs from different flowering families

60 5 annual asters

61 Mixed annuals in a jam jar

62 3 stems of penstemons

63 3 stems phlox

64 5 dianthus (pinks, carnations etc), stems with buds

65 6 pansies or violas on a board, maximum 25 cm square

66 3 clematis flowers on a board, maximum 30 cm square

67 1 dahlia, large or giant usually over 20 cm diameter

68 3 dahlias, cactus or semi-cactus (not large or giant blooms)

69 3 dahlias, decorative (not large or giant blooms)

70 3 dahlias, pompon

71 3 dahlias, ball

72 3 dahlias, any other, not previously mentioned

73 A dahlia, specimen bloom, any size, any variety

74 An exhibit of mixed dahlias, any cultivars, number of blooms optional

75 A bush fuchsia, single flowering

76 A half standard fuchsia, any variety

77 Any other fuchsia, not previously mentioned

78 6 fuchsia flower heads on a square board, maximum 25 cm square

79 Lily one stem, any type

80 Flowering plant in pot (indoor or outdoor)

81 Foliage plant in pot (decorative value of any flowers will be disregarded)

82 Cactus or succulent plant in pot

83 An exhibit of special botanical interest (a plant you have not previously exhibited at our show)

84 Club Challenge, kindly donated by Castle Gardens

85 A vase of mixed flowering stems containing a total of between 5 and 10 stems, taken from a minimum of two different kinds of plants. Please note that it is two different KINDS of plants: two varieties of the same plants are not two kinds.

86 Dish/bowl (not larger than 30cm) with floating flower head/s

Section C: Newcomers

• Open to new exhibitors who have not won a first prize at Castle Cary (Section A, B & C) - or at other similar flower shows.

• Pots should have an internal diameter of no more than 25 cmOpen

87 Vase of three flowers of the same type (eg dahlias, roses, gladioli)

88 Three vegetables of the same type (eg runner beans, potatoes, carrots)

89 A pot plant, foliage, flowering or fruiting

Section D: Floral Arrangement

• Exhibitors in this section may use flowers from any source garden or commercial.

• All exhibits may use props or accessories.

• Exhibits can be assembled at home in advance if preferred.

• To fit a width of 50 cm unless otherwise stated.

90 Celebrate!

91 In the pink

92 Jungle

93 Arrangement in an unusual container

94 Petite arrangement, over 10 cm but under 23 cm overall

95 Miniature, not over 10 cm overall

96 A garden in a FULL size seed tray

97 A button hole, not over 20 cm overall

Section E: Homecraft

• Please ensure that jars can be opened easily otherwise they cannot be judged.

• Classes 100-116 must be on a plate and inside a large clear plastic bag.

• Classes 117-123 Jams & Jellies. Jars to be filled to the top, cover may be a plain twist lid OR a wax disc and cellophane cover, all labels to be dated.

100 A chocolate cake, iced

101 Your ‘showstopper’ cake, maximum width, depth & height 30 cm

102 6 decorated cupcakes

103 3 American muffins

104 A fresh fruit pie, closed, plate not over 23 cm

105 6 chocolate brownies

106 6 shortbread pieces, any shape 107 A cake incorporating a named vegetable

108 A Victoria sandwich, jam-filled, undecorated, no sugar on top

109 Fruit Cake, maximum 20 cm round tin

110 6 biscuits

111 A handmade loaf

112 6 bread rolls

113 A quiche, 20 cm in diameter

114 2 different gluten-free items

115 6 fruit scones

116 6 flap jacks

117 A jar of marmalade

118 A jar of jam

119 A jar of fruit jelly

120 A jar of lemon curd

121 A jar of sweet chilli jam

122 A jar of honey

123 A jar of chutney, named variety

Section F: Handicrafts

• Items must NOT have been previously exhibited in a show of this Association.

• Items should be presented clean

• Exhibitors must indicate if the work is to their own design, or based on a pattern or from a kit using the labels provided

• Cards will be available should you wish to provide any short explanatory note (max 20 words).

• Max size for display of 75 cm x 75 cm. Large items of embroidery/tapestry etc may need to be folded.

130 A handmade hat

131 A patchwork article

132 A hand embroidered article 133 A tapestry article

134 A cross stitch article

135 A crocheted article

136 ‘From Rags to Riches’, an article with a recycled theme

137 A hand-knitted article

138 Any sewn garment, cut out and sewn by exhibitor

139 A soft toy

140 An item of ceramics or pottery

141 An item of woodwork

142 A handmade card for any occasion of an original design

143 An item of metalwork

144 ‘You’ve made it, we’d like to see it’, any item of handicraft

Section G: PAINTING, PHOTOGRAPHY

PAINTING

• Classes 150-155 not to exceed 75 cm x 75cm framed or mounted.

• All work in these classes must be ready for hanging with string.

• Any visible signatures to be temporarily covered please.

150 An oil or acrylic painting, any subject

151 A watercolour painting, any subject

152 A drawing

153 An exhibit of mixed media

154 A botanical image in any medium

155 Subject of your choice using pastels

PHOTOGRAPHY

• Photographs to be mounted on card not to exceed 25 x 18 cm (to facilitate fixing to display boards)

157 Close up

158 Camouflage

159 Happy Family

160 Oops!

161 Eyesore

Section H: Creative Writing

• Entries to be on A5 size paper.

164 Write a limerick beginning with: There was an old gardener named Gus…

165 Mini Saga. A story in precisely 50 words plus up to 15 words for the title

166 Make up a sentence using as many of the 27 letters as possible in this phrase (using each letter once): Compost is vital for soil health

Section I : CHILDREN

• For Classes 190-204 please write age on the entry slip (given to you on the day of the show).

• Children are also very welcome to enter any of the adult classes.

• Classes 192 & 202 must be covered.

• In the children’s section prizes are: First £3; Second £2, Third £1.

• All children entered in classes 190-194 & 200-204 can collect a free packet of seeds when bringing their entry.

AGE: up to 9 INCLUSIVE

190 Vegetables and/or fruit you’ve grown, displayed on a plate or dish

191 A vase of mixed flowers, 5 stems

192 5 jam tarts

193 Creature made from fruits and/or vegetables

194 Drawing or painting - bee, butterfly, bat and/or bird

SCHOOLCOMPETITION: Drawing or painting - bee, butterfly, bat and/or bird

SCHOOL DISPLAY: Pollinators

AGE: 10 to 14 INCLUSIVE

200 Vegetables and/or fruit you’ve grown, displayed on a plate or dish

201 A vase of mixed flowers, 5 stems

202 5 jam tarts

203 Creature made from fruits and/or vegetables

204 A 3D model using recycled items

HOW TO ENTER

1. ENTRY
• Entries can be emailed to ccgardeningassociation@gmail.com, use the form on our website, or you can send the paper form (inside back page) to the Entry Secretary.
• Entries by 9pm on Tuesday 28th July 2026.
• Entries are free.
• One entry per class per exhibitor.
• Children are very welcome to enter any classes.
• All entries for SECTIONS A, B & C must have been grown by the exhibitor.
• Entries in SECTION A & B are encouraged from individuals, households and groups (where grown as a group endeavour). • Entries in sections C-H should be from an individual or household.
• Section C is for new exhibitors who have not won a first prize (in Sections A, B & C) at Castle Cary - or at other similar flower shows.

2. STAGING
• You must set up your exhibits between 8.00 am and 10.45 am on the day of the show. Doors close at 10.45 am, when all but judges and officials must leave the hall.
• Collect your entry slips on arrival. You must have a slip for each entry, which should be placed next to your exhibit.
• You are encouraged to name varieties.
• Where VASE is mentioned any suitable container may be used. For Classes 54 57 and 67-74 vases will be available.
• We suggest you use alternatives to plastic-based floral foams at the show. For example, compostable floral foams, chicken wire, paper, stems etc.
• Please do ask if there is anything you are unsure about when staging!

3. PRIZES
• Where possible the show will be governed by the RHS Horticultural Show Handbook.
• Points will be awarded as follows: First Prize 3 points; Second Prize 2 points; Third Prize 1 point.
• In the event of a tie for a trophy, the overall number of first prizes (then second prizes) awarded in the relevant section will be the deciding factor.
• Trophy winners are responsible for the safe keeping and return of their trophies to the Committee by 1st July 2027.
• Exhibits can be removed after presentation of trophies at 4.15 pm.

On any MATTER ARISING, not covered by these guidelines, the decision of the Committee shall be final.

THE ASSOCIATION ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR EXHIBITS EITHER LOST OR DAMAGED DURING THE SHOW

PRIZES, CUPS and TROPHIES

SECTIONS A & B: VEGETABLES, FRUIT, FLOWERS & PLANTS
• RHS Banksian Medal to the individual or household with the highest number of points in the horticultural classes in the show who has not won in the previous two years
• Chamber of Commerce Rose Bowl to the individual or household with the highest number of points
• Worshipful Company of Gardeners Diploma of Excellence at the discretion of the judges

SECTION A: VEGETABLES and FRUIT
• Harold Milner Trophy and £25 voucher for highest number of points • Ansford Cup for the points runner-up • Charlie North Shield for the best exhibit in Class 1
• National Vegetable Society Medal for best vegetable exhibit

SECTION B: FLOWERS and PLANTS
• Coronation Cup and £25 voucher for the highest number of points (excluding dahlia and fuchsia classes)
• Floral Cup for the points runner-up (excl. dahlia and fuchsia classes)
• Sir John Parson Cup for highest number of points in dahlia classes
• K Mossman Cup for the best exhibit and £10 voucher
• Phillip Matthews Award for an exhibit of special botanical interest
• David Garrett Cup highest number of points in the fuchsia classes
• Castle Gardens Prize for best Club Challenge specimen Class 84
• Prize best scented rose in Class 53 (decided by visitors to show)

SECTION C: NEWCOMERS
• Newcomer Award, £25 voucher for the highest points in this section

SECTION D: FLORAL ARRANGEMENT
• Floral Art Cup and £15 for the highest number of points
• Cup and £10 for the best exhibit

SECTION E: HOMECRAFT
• Castle Cary Domestic Science Cup and £15 for the highest number of points
• Castle Cary Domestic Science Shield and £10 for the runner-up

SECTION F: HANDICRAFTS
• Vera Blacker Memorial Cup for the highest number of points
• Castle Cary Handicrafts Cup for the best exhibit (decided by visitors to the show)

SECTION G: PAINTING & PHOTOGRAPHY
• Photographic Cup for the best exhibit in the photography classes • Joy Barnes Art Cup for the best exhibit in the painting classes
• Janet Hutchfield Cup for the highest number of points

SECTION H: CREATIVE WRITING
• £10 book token for the highest number of points

SECTIONS E, F, G, H
• Margaret Bush Trophy for the highest number of points in Sections E, F, G & H

SECTION I: CHILDREN’S CLASSES
• Ralph Tutton Trophy for the highest number of points across classes 190-194 and 200-204
• Miniature Cup for the runner up most points
• Miniature Cup, awarded annually, for the best children’s exhibit
• In the children’s section prizes are: First £3; Second £2; Third £1. All children in classes 190-194 & 200-204 can collect a free packet of seeds when bringing their entry.