The 2026 Autumn ‘Flower, Fruit and Vegetable Show’ was held on Monday 21 September in the Old Library at Charlton House.
This is a photo-heavy post so some will display quite small – just click on the images to see at full size.
This year, after such extreme drought and high temperatures, the committee again worried that entries might be few and far between. Of course, these fears were unfounded as the members came up trumps again, showing entries rich in variety, creativity, colour and quality. In fact, resident potato-weigher Hugh said that there were more entries to the potato competition than ever before. There were slightly fewer entries in total than last year, though that fact was not evident in the bounteous appearance of the tables, and might simply be down to a few of our veteran showers being unavoidably absent.
We were delighted to welcome Susan Urpeth as our judge for this show. Susan is a CABAHS member but also an experienced horticultural writer and educator, RHS assessor and researcher. It was excellent to get her views on our efforts and we hope she enjoyed the somewhat intense experience!
While judging was taking place, Kathy led discussion on the few questions that ran out of time at June’s Q&A session. Lynda advised on dealing with codling moth, Vija on overwintering Begonias, and several members contributed to answering a question about lining and filling hanging baskets. Then we all had a giggle talking about favourite (usually silly) plant names, from Begonia darthvaderiana to Hebejeebie trifida (now sadly Veronica trifida), Silybum marianum to the wonderful Phyla nodiflora – common name ‘turkey tangle frogfruit’!
And the winners are…
Classes and awards:
- Vase of flowers, 3 stems of 1 cultivar
Best in Class: Margaret T
Highly Commended: Georgie M, Ali H - Bowl or vase of mixed flowers
Best in Class: Helena B
Highly Commended: Viv P, Anna L - Superb Salvias, 1 stem
Best in Class: Terry G
Highly Commended: Edward H - One rose stem, multi or single flowers or hips
Best in Class: Sian T
Highly Commended: Viv P - Vase of shrubs or foliage, 3 or more stems, mixed varieties
Best in Class: Ali H
Highly Commended: Sharon C - Display of ornamental seed heads
Best in Class: Jayne D
Highly Commended: Kathy A, Ali H - Five Fuchsia blooms, single variety or mixed (flower heads only)
Best in Class: Stella B
Highly Commended: Viv P - Pot plant
A: Indoor Plant
B: Outdoor plant
C: Cactus or succulent
[There was some confusion in the labelling and positioning of entries to these classes, so we’re listing the ‘Best in Class’ and ‘Highly Commended’ all together for Class 8, and will make it all clearer next time!]
Best in Class: Viv P, Anastasia N, Terry G
Highly Commended: Vija V, Ali H - Display of fruit, same type or mixed
Best in Class: Kathy A
Highly Commended: Viv P, Karen S - Display of vegetables, same type or mixed
Best in Class: Anna L
Highly Commended: Mandy & Brownie, Karen S - Tomatoes (dish of 5, stalks on)
Best in Class: Georgie M
Highly Commended: Anne F - Display of herbs
Best in Class: Jayne D
Highly Commended: Kathy A - Preserves – jam, jelly or marmalade, chutney or relish
Best in Class: Jayne D - Baking – courgette and lemon cake
Best in Class: Mandy & Brownie - Photo – display of plants on a table
Best in Class: Vija V
Highly Commended: Pat K, Kay P - Potato competition
Winner: Susan B - Wildcard
Best in Class: Georgie M
Highly Commended: Viv P
Trophies and awards:
Crystal Fuchsia Bowl for Class 7 (Five Fuchsia blooms): Stella B
Silver Spade for Class 11 (Display of Vegetables): Anna L
Best in Show: Jayne D (for ornamental seedhead display in Class 6)
Feedback shared, winners awarded and prizes given, it was time for everyone to sample the cakes! Thanks to all who helped organise the show, made everything happen on the night, and tidied up afterwards. Special thanks to our judge, Susan Urpeth.
Ali H, Kathy A
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