Page 67 - Simply Vegetables Autumn 2024

Winning Allotment Display
Micheál Martin & Raymond Higgins
Cork Summer Show 2024
The National Vegetable Society are delighted to partner with several
Show Societies around the country. In February, we got invited by the Munster Agricultural Society (Cork Summer Show) to assist in revamping the vegetable section of the show. This was a fantastic opportunity for the NVS to introduce and promote the society and increase membership in Cork.
The show was held on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th of June 2024. Exhibitors travelled from all parts of Cork and beyond to participate.
We introduced several new classes into the schedule including a new group competition confined for Allotments or Community Garden groups. Each group had to display fruit, vegetables, herbs,
flowers and produce. Congratulations to Hydro Farm Allotments who won first prize in this inaugural competition which proved extremely popular with the public.
Our experienced NVS team of volunteers welcomed everyone and assisted with staging so that every exhibit was enhanced for judging. This was much appreciated
by the exhibitors, many of which had never entered a show before. The Tánaiste Micheál Martin (Irish Deputy PM) was among many visitors to the show over the weekend and was very impressed with the winning rhubarb.
Best in Show and winner of the National Vegetable Society, Silver Medal was awarded to a first-time exhibitor Nora Hayes. She won with three perfect “Red Duke of York” potatoes. The youngest
winner was Juno O’Halloran who was awarded 3rd prize for her strawberries. It is always important to include classes for the next generation and the creativity of the Under 18 “Mr Potato Head” Creations was very impressive and again very popular with the public.
Over the show weekend our members were available at our information stand
to provide advice and tips. Several talks, lectures and demonstrations were also given. We are delighted that we have since welcomed several new Cork members. If you visited the marquee, it was easy to be blown away with so many beautiful displays of ‘perfect’ fruits, flowers, vegetables, and herbs so early in the growing season.
Hydro Farm Allotments
Juno O’Halloran
Zwena McCullough – First Prize for Basket of Fruit
Mr. Potato Head
Catherine O’Leary - Winning the Garlic Class
Lord Mayor of Cork City with NVS members
Nora Hayes and Husband Denis – Winner Best in Show