Vegetable Rules & Regulations

[sewer rat]

Lost my Cut Flower and Pot Plant Judge today - careless of me I know - he had already agreedto judge a competition elsewhere in Scotland, so have made lots of calls and got a name in the frame to call tomorrow, so fingers crossed there.
I have now completed the draft schedules and hope to have all the funding in place by the end of this month.

[Hazel at the Hill]

With the show looming on Saturday 3rd July, and I still can't get my 1lb. Loaf of Bread (machine made) to not stick to the paddly-bit at the bottom - any brilliant ideas forthcoming from you lot?!

I'm not saying that it will work, but if you grease the paddle with hard marg before you start, that might well prevent the dough sticking to the paddle. Worth a go.

Also, some bread doughs are stickier than others - are you going for a simple water/flour/salt/yeast (dash of sugar), or something more sophisticated?

[wellie]

Sewer Rat...NO!
But D'you know what honey-bunny? You are really inspiring me to get involved in my own committee here in our village, so thank you SO much for that.....

[wellie]

Hazel, I'm going to try that.... thank you Sweetie Pie.....X

Sophisticated? Moi?!

[Hazel at the Hill]

Sophisticated? Moi?!

Well I made bananana bread the other day (with honey) and I cannot tell you how well that goes when made into a bacon buttie.

We know how to live here near the Second City.

[sewer rat]

Justa quick update - hall is now confirmed as are the McMillan Cancer ladies who will run the kitchen for the day (they keep all the cash they make) and have just been informed (unofficially) that the Community Council has approved my application for a grant of £500 ffrom the CGF.
Still no flower and pot plant judge - anyone not doing anything weekend of 14th August ???????

[wellie]

sewer rat, nothing would give me greater pleasure than to meet you, let alone help out where help was needed, but I'm completely pants at pot plants. I only have to walk past one and it dies, so best I keep my distance, eh?!

Honestly, you sound to be doing amazing things there for the show, and I can't wait to chat with you in more depth. Our own is retiring after this year, so if I can help out in our own, I'd like to put myself forward maybe if there's room for some 'new blood'.

And your innovative ideas are far from 'alone' my friend.X
'Citing Times, and no mistakes!

[Alison]

And actually, it really is great fun JUST to take part, because it's all about your own community, your hamlet, your village, your town, or your city.
It can only be fun when people, you and me, everyday folks integrate with each other.
And to be perfectly honest, local shows are now completely dying out because people like you and me won't, or don't, take part.

It can be fun if that's the kind of thing you enjoy doing but not everybody likes this kind of thing. I've just read the whole of this thread through (not noticed it before ) and to be honest it's made me shudder as I loath this sort of competion. No problem with such shows existing as some people (as obvious from the responses) love this kind of thing but I really don't like competition and don't want to display my wares etc. I integrate on a daily basis within my community but do this in a non competative way which works for me.

Sorry if this sounds like I'm having a go at people for entering or even running such shows, honestly that's not the case, I just wanted to put another side over and point out that some people don't take part as they don't want to and don't see why I should have an afternoon of hell (which it would be to me) plus prep time just to keep something alive in which I have no interest. Then again I think differences make the world go round and it'd be dull if we were all the same

[Suky]

I am glad I read this thread. My Mum and I joined our local Horticultural Society recently and decided to have a go at the Summer Show which took place today.
Mum entered some roses but the competition was very strong so she wasn't placed. I entered wild plum jam, lemon curd and a cake, came away with 1st, 2nd and unplaced. How chuffed am I!!!!!!!!!! I will have veggies ready for the autumn show on Aug bank holiday.
The club has about 70 members regularly attending (I think) and a very good show was put on but it was all very friendly, no big rivalry that I could see and the members very ready to help a beginner like me. A lovely day!

[maytreefrannie]

Well done, Suky - continued success to you and your mum, I bet her roses were really good and I guess she enjoyed taking part.

It can be fun if that's the kind of thing you enjoy doing but not everybody likes this kind of thing.

...love this kind of thing but I really don't like competition

I wouldn't ever put something in to a show, but the few I've gone to have been very enjoyable. I love going to these shows and would wish we had more of them here. I don't think you have to be a participant, shows need attenders too, and you can come away with some good ideas - all benefit and add to the show.

[wellie]

Alison, it's kind of 'nice' that you've posted on the thread, because it does take all sorts to take part in this forum, and it does take 'all sorts' to take part in a Village Show.
and unless I'm mistaken, it does take 'all sorts' to live everyday and integrate with each other.
Personally, I get hugely, and amazingly inspired by other other people that I come into contact with on a daily basis, and if I didn't encounter everyone else's talents around me, I wouldn't be half of the person that I am today.
By integrating with people around me, and I'd like to think that all of that is making my life much more interesting, I'm able to take a little bit of that, with a sprinkle of this, and a dusting of something unusual, to make something that you'd never buy in the shops...

And that's kind of where I'm 'coming from'.
X

[Alison]

Personally, I get hugely, and amazingly inspired by other other people that I come into contact with on a daily basis, and if I didn't encounter everyone else's talents around me, I wouldn't be half of the person that I am today.

I agree, but that doesn't have to be in a competitive arena and for me I'd much rather it wasn't but that doesn't mean that I don't contribute to my local community in other ways as there are lots of other ways

[sewer rat]

Another update - have all judges in place except "cut flowers and pot plants" - seems no-one is prepared to stick their neck on the line, but have another name to try tomorrow.
Sponsorship for the various trophies is now coming in, posters have been done, and by next week the final schedules should be ready, printed and delivered to the various outlets.

[sewer rat]

Yay, I now have all my judges confirmed, a trade stand booked (a sweetener for two of the judges), the trophy list that I sent out to potential sponsors has started yielding positive results, and the schedule is all but complete - just waiting on the final trophyy sponsors to put in the schedule then it's all systems go.

[wellie]

Alison, you're not wrong. The 'taking part bit' on whatever score you feel comfortable with, is amazingly rewarding for everyone involved, and I hugely applaud(e?) every single one of us that just DO....X

For the moment, you're all going to have to completely EXCUSE ME, because I got up at the crack of Sparrow F@rt this morning, in order to begin my marathon of cutting Herbaceous Flowers for Vases, Roses, Penstemons, Cranesbills, Pelargoniums, DeDaDeDaDeDa, Soft Fruits, Culinary Herbs, Flowering Shrubs, Unusual Flowers....

AND I made a Jam Swiss Roll today? and I've not made one of THOSE children, since I was about 20 years of age. Shame on me!

I'm about to ice and decorate a Chocolate Cake now. I know....., but I've got a decorative surprise for the top of the cake, if I can keep my eyes open until my steamy hot bubbly bath that I've promised myself later?!

(Trousers is watching the footie, and couldn't even be bothered to get his own Scotch'on'the'Rocks, so I did, whilst I was scooting round trying to harvest First'n'Second Earlies from my Buckets for the Show? and cook his Dinner? and Select Bored Beans?) ........

If I don't manage to touch base with you later on this evening, I'll try again tomorrow after I've positioned every Class for every Section on the Village Hall Tables.

Please forgive me, it's the first year that I've ever taken part in this village show, and to be perfectly frank, I never thought I'd enter this many classes, so I am NOT the most organised of persons today (although I DO have to pat myself on the back very seriously, for being so beautifully calm and collected..... which worries me slightly for some unknown reason!)

Calm before The Storm Perchance?
Ooh... TAKE COVER TROUSERS!!!

And rest assured, I've taken, and will be taking more photos tomorrow.