SHOW REGULATIONS
1. EXHIBITORS
a) The prizes offered for exhibits in this schedule are open to everyone unless otherwise stated. Exhibitors must comply with the Show Regulations
b) Directors of the Society may exhibit, except in a class of which that Director is Convener.
c) A Novice is anyone who has never won a first prize in the section entered in the R.H.S.A. show - Junior first prize winners are eligible.
d) Non - members over 18 years of age will be charged an entry fee of 5Op per entry (maximum £5) and will receive a ONE DAY complimentary ticket for admission to the Show.
2. EXHIBITS
A Horticultural exhibits must have been grown by the exhibitor and must have been in his possession for two months prior to the Show.
b) Exhibits must be disease and pest free.
c) The Directors reserve the right to visit and examine the gardens and premises from which the exhibits have been entered for the competition.
d) In Floral Art Classes, plant material need not be grown by the exhibitor but must be arranged and staged by the exhibitor in the marquee unless otherwise stated.
3. ENTRIES
a) Exhibitors are allowed two entries per class except in classes 310-323, 332, 345-388, where only one entry is permitted.
b) Entries, on the form provided, should be lodged with the Secretary not later than 4pm on the Thursday prior to the Show together with entry fees where appropriate. Late entries will be accepted at the discretion of the Show Manager, except in the case of classes 1, 2, 198, 200 and 201 and 310-323, which must be received by 8pm on the Tuesday preceding the Show. No late entries will be accepted in these classes.
c) The Directors reserve to themselves the right to refuse any entry.
d) An exhibitor, unable to stage an entry, should advise the Secretary as soon as possible.
4. EXHIBITOR’S CARDS
a) These should be collected from the Secretary’s Show Office, each exhibit to have one card which will be placed with the name downwards. Classes with multiple pots will require I card for each pot. Please note on entry form.
b) Cards altered in any way by an exhibitor will lead to disqualification.
c) If no card placed on an exhibit by exhibitor, steward will place a blank card.
5. EXHIBITOR’S LIFTING CARDS
a) These should be collected by exhibitors at the time of staging and only holders of such cards will be allowed in the marquee during staging and for the removal of exhibits. In addition, lifting cards for assistants will be available upon request at the Secretary’s Office. Lifting cards do not admit to show.
6. STAGING
a) ALL EXHIBITORS MUST VERIFY ENTRIES WITH THE SECRETARY BEFORE STAGING.
b) All exhibits for competition must be staged between 12 noon on Friday prior to show and 7.45am on the Saturday morning of show. All exhibitors and their assistants must leave the marquees by 745am on Saturday morning.
c) Exhibits should be correctly named as far as known.
d) No trade cards will be allowed on any of the exhibits.
e) Exhibitors must show in their own boxes, stands, bowls etc except where specified otherwise in the schedule - boxes, etc., to be in keeping with good taste.
f) All vases used must be supplied by the Society. Alternative sizes may be issued.
g) All cut flowers and shrubs must be shown in water. Exhibitors are requested to water their plants during the show.
h) The Show will be staged and judged in accordance with the Rules in the current edition of the Royal Horticultural Society’s publication “The Horticultural Show Handbook” (copy available in Secretary’s Show Office) supplemented by the Rules of Specialist Societies. Exhibitors should note the difference between “kind” and “variety”. Exhibitors must follow the direction of the Show Manager regarding staging.
i) Kinds - Flowers (example) 3 vases annuals could be Asters, Marigolds, Nigella
Varieties — Flowers (example) could be Roses — My Love, Super Sun, Silver Jubilee
Kinds —Vegetables (example) could be Carrots, Beetroot, Leeks
Kinds — Shrubs (example) could be Buddha, Hydrangea, Spirea
7.JUDGING
a) Only Officials will be allowed in the marquees during judging.
b) Judging will take place between 8am and 11am on the Saturday of the Show.
c) Any exhibit which is not according to schedule shall be disqualified.
d) The decision of the judges shall be final on the relative merit of the exhibits, but the Directors reserve to themselves the decision on any other points in dispute.
e) Prizes or trophies may be withheld when exhibits are deficient in quality or condition.
8.PROTESTS
a) Protests or complaints upon any grounds must be lodged with the Secretary in writing by 2pm on the first day of the show.
b) Anyone lodging a protest must be able to demonstrate, before the close of the show, that he will be able to substantiate the same, else the protest will not be entertained and the exhibitor making the protest will be found liable for payment of all expenses incurred.
c) Any prize, found to have been unfairly obtained, will be forfeited and if any article is discovered to have been tampered with for the purpose of deception the exhibitor of such, besides being exposed, will forfeit all his prize money and be liable to expulsion.
9.TROPHIES
a) In computing points gained towards the award of atrophy, 10 points for first place, 8 points for second place and 6 points for third place will be given if the first prize is over £5.00; 5 points for first, 4 points for second and 3 points for third will be given if the first prize is over £3.50; in other cases 3 points for first, 2 points for second and I point for third will be given.
b) Trophies for most points will only be awarded if there is an outright winner. In the case of two or more competitors having the same points the award will go to the one with the most first prizes, failing that the one with the most second prizes.
c) WINNERS OF TROPHIES,OR THEIR REPRESENTATIVES, SHOULD BE PRESENT TO RECEIVE THEM AT 2.3OPM ON THE SUNDAY OF THE SHOW.
d) Trophies MUST NOT be placed on stands beside exhibits and winners are responsible for the care of trophies while in their possession.
e) Trophies are to be retained for one year only, unless otherwise stated.
f) The trophies are insured by the Society against all risks anywhere in the United Kingdom and the Secretary must be notified in writing immediately in the event of any trophy being damaged, lost or destroyed or stolen.
g) Trophies, and their protective bags, should be returned to the Trophy Convenor not later than one month before the date of the next show.
10. PRIZE MONEY
a) Prize money will be paid in the Treasurer’s Show Office between 4pm & 6pm on Saturday of the Show and between 11am & 5pm on the Sunday of the Show.
b) Any prize money not collected at the show must be claimed within 7 days and a stamped addressed envelope must accompany the claim. Money not so claimed will be regarded as a donation to the Society.
11. REMOVAL
a) The marquees will be cleared of everyone except the Society’s Officials at 5pm on Sunday of the Show.
b) Exhibitors and assistants will be admitted to remove exhibits only on production of a lifting card between 5.05 and 5.35 p.m.
c) No exhibits can be delivered up except to the exhibitor personally or on his written order.
d) Any exhibit left after 5.40 p.m. will be the property of the Society.
The Society will not be responsible for loss or damage to exhibits.