Our Society was founded c. 1890 - it is one of the oldest horticultural societies in West Sussex.  The first flower show was shared with the neighbouring parish of Walberton.  Towards the end of the 20th century (1970's) the annual and spring shows were joined by an autumn show and an early summer show.

As well as our four shows per year, we hold a series of talks for members and guests, two plant sales and some entertainment events including an annual barn dance and concerts.

Although we are based in Yapton for our events, our members come from many local villages.  Everyone is welcome!

Our shows : all horticultural exhibits are judged under RHS rules; dahlias are judged under NDS rules; floral art is judged under NAFAS rules.  Copies of the rules may be borrowed from the Show Secretary (see contacts).  Exhibitors may only enter one exhibit per class (one exhibit per household in the horticultural classes).  All exhibits of flowers, fruit and vegetables must be grown by the exhibitor, except in Floral Art and Childrens sections. Exhibits in handcraft, photography, cookery and childrens sections must not have won any of the Society's classes in any previous show and must have been made or prepared by the exhibitor.  For full rules, and special rules for the Annual (Summer) Show, please see the current Schedule - free to members and £2 to non-members. Entries cost 30p per entry for members and 40p per entry for non-members. All childrens' entries are free.

Schedule - Summer show 13.7.24:

Class

1. THE LESLIE CROWTHER TROPHY

A Competition for Members only

Each entry comprises three exhibits  from any three different sections listed below (only two horticultural section entries are allowed).

     -  Vegetables

     -  Fruit

     -  Flowers

     -  Floral art

     -  Handicrafts

     -  Photography

     -  Cookery

Classes entered must be stated on the class form.

 Each exhibit will be marked out of a possible 20 points with a maximum of  60 points per entry                         

 PRIZE MONEY– 1st £5  - 2nd £3  - 3rd £2

FLORAL [CUT FLOWERS]

2. One large flowered rose

3. Three roses, one variety, large flowered

4. Six roses, mixed varieties, arranged in a Society bowl

5. One stem multi-flowered  rose

6. Two stems, multi-flowered roses

7. One stem rambler or climbing rose

8. Rose made up as a buttonhole

9. Sweet pea, one stem

10. Sweet peas, one vase, six stems, one distinct variety

11. Sweet peas, two vases, six stems in each, each distinct varieties

12. Sweet peas, one vase, nine stems, mixed colours

13. Dahlias, one vase, one variety, three stems

14. Dahlias, two vases, one or more variety, three or more stems in each

15. Delphinium, one stem

16. Gladiolus, one stem

17. Marigolds, five stems, single or mixed colours (calendula)

18. Vase of five stems, any other one annual or herbaceous perennial (not mixed)

19. Vase of five stems, any other annuals or herbaceous perennials, mixed

20. Five stems of trees and/or shrubs, displayed as cut foliage, max. space 45 cm

21. Five stems of trees and/or shrubs, excluding fuchsia, max. space 45 cm

22. One stem of hydrangea

23. Five stems of fuchsia displayed for cut flowers

24. Five florets of fuchsia, single flowered, one or more var, displayed on a Society board

25. Five florets of fuchsia, double flowered, one or more var, displayed on a Society board

FLORAL [POTTED PLANTS]

26. Fuchsia, in flower, container not to exceed 21 cm diameter

27. Orchid, in flower, container not to exceed 21 cm diameter

28. Pelargonium/shrubby geranium, in flower, pot not to exceed 21 cm diameter

29. Flowering pot plant, excluding the above, container max. 21 cm

30. Pot plant, grown for its foliage quality, container not to exceed 21 cm diameter

31. Three potted plants, for flowers and/or foliage, containers max. 21 cm diameter

32. Hanging basket or Patio pot, planted by the exhibitor

33. Bonsai grown plant—container max 30 cm

FLORAL [CACTI AND OTHER SUCCULENTS]

34. One plant, container not to exceed 21 cm diameter

35. Two plants, containers not to exceed 15 cm diameter

36. Four plants, containers not to exceed 10 cm diameter

37. A display to exhibit diversity of form, space 46 by 46 cm

VEGETABLES [one variety, unless otherwise stated]

38. Five potatoes, coloured or white, any shape

39. Two lettuces, any type with roots

40. Five onions

41. Three beetroots, any shape

42. Three courgettes

43. Three sticks of rhubarb

44. Five pods of broad beans

45. Three carrots, any type

46. Nine culinary peas (not mange tout or snap)

47. Ten shallots, large, ovr 30 mm

48. Nine radishes

49. Five medium tomatoes, c. 60 mm diameter

50. Nine tomatoes, maximum 35 mm diameter

51. Two brassicas, any type, [cabbages, cauliflowers, romanesco etc]

52. Any other vegetable, one variety, minimum two

53. Collection of three different vegetables, staged in a trug or basket, max. 50 cm

54. Collection of three different herbs in one vase

55. An exhibit of one vegetable and one stem of a flower

FRUIT

56. Plate of twelve strawberries

57. Plate of twelve raspberries

58. Plate of twelve gooseberries

59. Plate of mixed soft fruit, minimum of three kinds

60. Plate of any other fruit

FLORAL ART – theme – “Paris Olympics”

61. Moulin Rouge  60 x 60 cm, height unlimited

62. Tricolour  45 x 45 cm, height unlimited

63. Café culture  petite 22 x 22 cm, height unlimited

64. Gold/silver/bronze  miniature 10 x 10 cm, height unlimited

65. Novice class, choice of any of the above, for anyone who has not previously won a prize for floral art at a Society show

Floral foam (“oasis”) is not permitted in any flower or floral art exhibit. Eco-friendly alternatives are allowed.

HANDICRAFT (items finished within the last year)

66. A sewn item of clothing (not knitted)

67. Any other sewn item

68. A hand written poem or rhyme  judged on handwriting (not calligraphy)

69. An A4 sheet of Calligraphy

70. A knitted item

71. An item of embroidery

72. An item of handicraft made predominantly from wood

73. An item of handicraft made predominantly from metal

74. An item of any other handicraft made from soft materials

75. An item of handicraft made from recycled material

76. An original Picture in any medium other than photography

GROUP COMPETITION

77. An exhibit made by a group of at least three people

Choose from: - A collection of vegetables (minimum three kinds)

- An item of floral art (from classes above)

- An item of handicraft (from classes above)

PHOTOGRAPHY (see Rule 11) Colour or Black/White A4 max including any mount

78. Natural Sussex—state location (*JWT) 

79. An iconic building 

80. Sport 

81. Song (state which song) 

82. Flowers

83. By the seaside                          

* Photography classes marked JWT contribute to the Jan Wood Memorial Trophy for nature photography

COOKERY and PRESERVES

84. A jar of soft fruit Jam (1lb approx.)

85. A jar of any other Jam (1lb approx.)

86. A jar of citrus marmalade  (1lb approx.

87. A small jar of Jelly, fruit/herb

88. A jar of mature Chutney

89. Four petit fours

90. A plaited loaf

91. A round of shortbread

92. Four coconut macaroons

93. A tarte tatin (homemade pastry)

94. A Victoria Sandwich, 3 egg recipe, raspberry jam filling

95. A stuffed courgette (no meat, fish or rice)

96. Four iced cupcakes

97. One Bottle Homemade Fresh Lemonade

98. A Basket or Trug of ‘Goodies’ - 4 items (and quantities) from classes 97-109 (only one preserve)

WINE & BEER

101. One 1 pint bottle home-made Lager

102. One 1 pint bottle home-made Bitter Beer

103. One bottle Wine, white

104. One bottle Wine, red

105. One bottle Wine, rose

CHILDREN 

Children’s Prize Money-  1st  50p - 2nd  40p - 3rd  30p

No entry fees for children

   Age 7 years & under

106. A posy of flowers in water

107. A flowery collage  (size A3 max.)

108. A miniature Garden in a container (max 30 x 20cm)

109. A decorated rice cake. Judged on edible decoration only

Age 8 to 11 years old

110. A vegetable or fruit grown by exhibitor

111. An Olympic picture (max. A3)

112. A miniature Garden in a container (max 30 x 20 cm)

113. Four scones

  Any age up to 18 years old

114. A bookmark

115. A piece of soft  handicraft

116. A bird feeder made from recycled materials

117. A Photograph of  Sussex, state location