August/Autumn Show 2025

The 2025 Autumn ‘Flower, Fruit and Vegetable Show’ was held on Monday 18 August in the Old Library at Charlton House.

As it is usually held in September, there were some adjustments to the range of classes. It was a well attended and lively show, and our fears that perhaps there would be fewer entries – due to the date change or the fact that we have had such a long period of drought – were unfounded. In fact, across the 18 classes there were 150 entries and we had to extend the show tables!

As this year is a special one, in which we celebrate the 75th anniversary of CABAHS, there were a couple of ’75th anniversary’ themed classes, and we were delighted to welcome as judge Jillian Smith, long-time CABAHS member and Chair of the Society, and now joint Vice President with Ron Roffey. Jillian has a long experience in judging shows over many years and has a beautiful garden in Winn Road, which was opened to the public on a number of occasions to raise money for charity.

Aided by her son, Jillian looked at all the plant categories and entries on the table one by one – all 150 of them! The standard was very high this year despite the drought conditions, so her task wasn’t easy, but she carried it out with great diligence as ever, examining everything in great detail and awarding Best in Class and Highly Commended in each category and finally Best in Show for Ali’s beautiful maidenhair fern in a pot. It was lovely to have her back to commemorate CABAHS’ 75th anniversary and we would welcome her back again in the future!

There was a display of photos and documents from the Society’s archive, in addition to the ongoing anniversary display for 100 years of Charlton House – including 75 years of CABAHS – in the room next door. While the judging took place, members were entertained by readings of selected ‘snippets’ from CABAHS history, from Committee minute items that could have been yesterday, to humorous poems by members of yesteryear, and newsletter reports on the Queen Mother’s visit in 1975, Christmas parties in the 1980s and ’90s, and more. These snippets will form part of a new ‘CABAHS History’ section of this site in the near future.

Classes and awards:

1. Vase of flowers, 3 stems of 1 cultivar
   Best in Class: Edward H
   Highly Commended: Ruth C
2. Bowl or vase of mixed flowers
   Best in Class: Margaret T
   Highly Commended: Viv P
3. Superb Salvias, 1 stem
   Best in Class: Vija V
   Highly Commended: Viv P
4. One rose stem, single or multi-bloom
   Best in Class: Georgie M
   Highly Commended: Jayne D
5. Vase of shrubs or foliage, 3 or more stems, mixed varieties
   Best in Class: Pauline T
   Highly Commended: Carolyn H
6. Display of ornamental seed heads
   Best in Class: Jayne D
   Highly Commended: Kathy A

7. Five Fuchsia blooms, single variety or mixed (flower heads only)
   Best in Class: Mandy A
   Highly Commended: Stell P
8. Pot plant, indoor or outdoor (incl. cacti & succulents)
   Best in Class: Clare S
   Highly Commended: Ali H
9. Apples (plate of 3, stalks on)
   Best in Class: Pauline T
   Highly Commended: Maggie T
10. Display of fruit, any, mixed
    Best in Class: Lena G
    Highly Commended: Kathy A
11. Display of vegetables, any, mixed
    Best in Class: Anna L
    Highly Commended: Karen S
12. Tomatoes (dish of 5, stalks on)
    Best in Class: Maggie T
    Highly Commended: Margaret M

13. Display of herbs
    Best in Class: Maria B
    Highly Commended: Jayne D
14. Preserves – jam, jelly or marmalade, chutney or relish
    Best in Class: Maria B
15. Baking – celebrating 75 years
    Best in Class: Kathy A
    Highly Commended: Ali H
16. Floral Arrangement – celebrating 75 years
    Best in Class: Sian T
    Highly Commended: Wendy B
17. Photo – display of plants on a table
    Best in Class: Jayne D
    Highly Commended: Peter S, Ali H, Pat K
18. Wildcard
    Best in Class: Viv P
    Highly Commended: Anna L

Trophies and awards:

Crystal Fuchsia Bowl for Class 7 (Five Fuchsia blooms): Mandy A
Silver Spade for Class 11 (Display of Vegetables): Anna L
Best in Show: Ali H (Pot of Adiantum venustum)

Winners awarded and prizes given, it was time for everyone to sample the cakes and exclaim at how very good the Congress Tarts turned out to be!

This show report was a team effort, thanks to all who contributed text, photos, lists of winners etc.