Page 6 - Simply Veg 1 2024

Happy New Year!
The last quarter of 2023 was the busiest quarter of the year, what with all the Shows and various other events. Firstly, my local Show, Shrewsbury, and the first chance to meet up with fellow exhibitors. Although entries were
down and a few exhibitors missing, the weather was good which helped make it a good weekend. Any members local to Shrewsbury, who would like to start showing, this show could be perfect for you and the show could really benefit with a few new exhibitors.
After Shrewsbury, I then made the journey across the water to Ireland for their inaugural championships as I thought it was only fitting that the National Chair attends and give support. The NVS show was running alongside the local Moate Show. I arrived at the venue on Saturday afternoon in beautiful sunshine and met up with Raymond and the team who
were setting it all out, including his Mum, Kathleen, and his niece Erica. When we had finished, I was invited back to the Higgins’ household for tea which was much appreciated. The next morning, we woke to pouring rain, and I mean pouring! but onwards and upwards to the marquee we went. Raymond told me that the Moate Show, accepted entries on the morning of the Show, so I took a few entries with me, including: 1 x Cucumber, 2 x Courgettes and 6 x French Beans and a few more,
but those were my bankers. I found out Raymond had entered the same classes too, so, we shook hands and said, ‘may the best man win’ GAME ON!!
The exhibitors started to roll up, I helped many in benching their vegetables as many of them were novices and new
to showing, the rain didn’t deter
anyone from turning up and by
the time Medwyn and Gwenda arrived to judge we were starting to paddle. Bags of sawdust were brought to the rescue to help underfoot. My next role was to steward
for Medwyn, I did have a great assistant though, in Erica, who was very keen to learn. When the judging had finished,
I went over the Moate show to look at the results and I am afraid to say Ireland won! Raymond first and me second with the cucumbers, but I was
Later that evening, I enjoyed the Welsh Branch’s hospitality of the Awards presentation and social evening.
The National Championships were next on the list, being hosted by the Northern Branch at Newby Hall, Ripon. For this National Championships, we had the pleasure of one of our members, Sean James Cameron coming forward to offer to video the show through various stages,
Lady Chair’s Report
chuffed to get first with French Beans though.
Late afternoon the rain stopped just enough time to go and have a look outside down the showground, treading carefully in the wet. See Full show report on page 66 and 67.
I must say, this inaugural show was a great success
including some judging and some interviews. Thanks, Sean, for having volunteered. This Show was a three-day show and as usual on the first day we held our AGM. The Orangery was the setting, and the AGM was well supported by over 50
I must say, this inaugural show was a great success, with the highest percentage of exhibits staged ever combined with a high quality level of veg and a high level of enthusiasm to learn and share. When the Show was over, we all met up in one of the town’s local hostelries for a lovely meal and a few drinks. We had time to talk and get to know one another, share stories, jokes hints and tips and laugh about the weather. We had so much fun and jokingly Medwyn and I said we may need to put in a claim for some new shoes!!!
Having been to the Southern Branch championships in the previous quarter
this time it was the other Branch Championships, starting with the Welsh which were held at St Fagans, the ‘National Museum of History’ an absolutely fabulous venue. It’s always nice to walk round this museum which is open-air along with the
grounds and gardens around the castle, especially in the
sunshine. Again, some excellent quality veg was
on show, See Full show report on
Page 14 and 15.
members, including a group of our Irish members who had made the journey
over to bench some exhibits in their first National Show. The AGM was also videoed by Sean which has already been made available to view. The Trustees board remained stable, but it was noted that this was the last year Jean Forrester would be Treasurer as she is planning to step down in 2024. We had two positions still vacant from the previous AGM, however I’m delighted that Sean James Cameron was voted onboard at the AGM to become our Social Media Officer and, then a couple
of weeks after the AGM another member volunteered to become our WebMaster, in the form of Andy Wall. Thanks to both of you, it’s great to have volunteers come forward to support the NVS and broaden our skill base.
Once again, the National Championships was a successful show, with wonderful high quality exhibits, including, our new 15 points and under class. Many thanks to the Northern Branch for all their hard work in putting on the show.
We met old friends and new and I
must say it was lovely to see one of our Vice President, Malcom Evans attending the show and AGM and to see Medwyn presenting the numerous NVS awards including to his wife Gwenda with an NVS gold medal.
Later that evening, a social evening, organized by Simon Smith was in full swing
Gwenda Williams (Gold medal), Malcolm Evans and Medwyn Williams at the AGM
SANDRA HALL FNVS, NATIONAL LADY CHAIR