Page 22 - Simply Veg 1 2024

Judging Taunton Flower Show
It was June last year (2022), when I
first happened upon a post advertising the Taunton Flower Show. Intrigued by the event, I looked into it further and discovered a vast array of classes across multiple sections. The open vegetable division alone hosted 52 classes with the 7 kinds vegetable collection the most challenging for exhibitors to compete in. In addition to the traditional vegetable classes, there was also a longest and heaviest section and
a novices division,
offering 33 classes
across vegetables,
fruit and flowers. The
schedule went on.
vegetable trials visit. My trip would take me within a few miles of the show which was a chance too good to miss. I entered a few classes: white and coloured potatoes, exhibition and 250g and under onions, shallots and garlic. Unlike this year, we were enjoying a much warmer August and I was a bit concerned about leaving my exhibits in a boiling hot car all day whilst at the trials visit. My in-laws live very close to Wisley Gardens and I usually call in
one of who was our very own Alan Terry. I also spoke to Ian Coleby who was responsible for the horticultural divisions of the show, and offered my services as a judge at future events. I noted that the
show had no linkage to the NVS but I could see the potential the show had as acting as a South West focus for NVS activities, since the closure of both Devon and Dorset DAs in recent years.
Wind the clock forward a year. The Taunton Flower show is now an affiliated society of the NVS and I am sitting in the restaurant of a roadside B&B, just outside Taunton, with Keith Hine on the eve of
the show. We had just set up an NVS promotional stand in the competitions marquee, and were enjoying a well- deserved meal, whilst discussing how we were going to approach the enormous task we had ahead of us the following morning. Judging the whole of the open vegetable section, which included seven collection classes of 7 kinds, 5 kinds, root vegetables, tomatoes, salads, potatoes (4 plates of 5, 4 different varieties), an onions (3 over 250g, 3 under 250g, 6 pickling and 6 exhibition shallots), all of which needed to be pointed. Then judge the 45 single dish classes and select some best in section awards, all with the knowledge that show entries were up 25% on last year.
As is often the case, accommodation breakfasts start after we need to leave for judging. However our B&B supplied both of us with an enormous bacon and sausage sandwich, by way of compensation. More than enough to keep us going until the post judging lunch. Staging of exhibits ended at 7.30am with judging to commence shortly after. We arrived on the show ground at 7.15am and gathered with other judges
in the members’ marquee for coffee and pastries, as if we needed more food so
There was an extensive
open flower division
including 25 pot plant
classes. 22 general cut
flower classes, a dahlia
section with the two
NDS medals on offer, a
rose section in conjunction with The Rose Society. If that wasn’t enough, there was also a carnations and pinks section and a displays section for individuals or groups
to enter. Beyond horticultural classes there is also a vast array of cookery, preserves and textile art and craft classes. Beyond the Competition Marquee, there is competitive trade stand marquee and a whole host of other activities that fills the show ground over the two days. This sounded like a huge event and I need to see it.
Since moving to North Devon and buying a smallholding, time has become very precious and trips away are infrequent but when they do occur, I try and link a
few things together. It just so happened, that on the same day staging took place for the Taunton Flower Show, I had been summoned to RHS Wisley Gardens on a
I noted that the show had no linkage to the NVS but I could see the potential the show had
to see them before or after trials visits. Their nice cool garage was the perfect place for my entries to reside whilst at the gardens. After trials business was complete, I picked up my box of goodies and headed for home, via Taunton, of course. I arrived at the show site of Vivary Park, right in the centre of the
town, around 8pm and immediately saw the familiar sight of Ivor Mace, unloading masses of roses and carnations from his car. I had noted his name in the show schedule as being a past cup winner, so not too surprised to see him there. I quickly staged my exhibits and headed for home.
The show is a two day affair and is on the Friday and Saturday of the first week
in August. I had planned to return to the show to see how I had done and to collect my exhibits on the Saturday. Having a local village show to judge on Saturday morning, I decided to skip the lunch that was on offer after judging, and head off to Taunton. On arrival I was amazed at the volume
and standard of the exhibits that filled the competition marquee. I was pleased that all but one of my exhibits had placed and got chatting to a few of the other exhibitors,
22 Simply Vegetables
IAN CLEMENS