Suggestions for the Horticultural Show 2004

Suggestions & Ideas from the 9th Annual Show

Thanks to everyone who left suggestions and ideas in the box at the show; please e-mail the web site if you have other thoughts or have further comments.

Size of pot for the flowering plants should be 200ml [8”]

Comment – we include 300mm [12”] for all pot plant classes to get some good specimens and a great display for visitors; as this may be a bit large for some people we will consider other sizes or other classes for next year.• Check that the information on the web site and in the printed schedule is the same.

The children’s class for decorated hand appeared as friend on the web site

Comment – we have already apologized for this on the web site and in the Keyworth News - many apologies again to anyone who was affected by the error; we do our best but if there is a local proof-reader who is willing to help next year we would be pleased to hear.

I really enjoyed it. [Name supplied]

Comment – good to hear positive feedback, thank you.

The kids cookery was a brilliant idea – well worth 50p – we would have paid more

Comment – hopefully we will do this again next year and try to get more space by having it in a separate tent. See also the photos on the web site – it seems that lots of people [even the helpers!] had a great time.

Information needs to be available to know about this – Keyworth Diary, Library, and posters in shops. [I’m new to the area – Nov ’03 – but saw nothing about entering]

Comment - there is a good deal of publicity but we will have to do better next year. Keep your eyes on the web site and things start appearing about April.

Include a flower class for Pinks

Comment – we will consider this for next year.

Have screens for the photo’s and pictures

Comment – we had stands for the pictures kindly loaned by the Arts Association this year. We will try to get more for next year and screens for the photos. Any ideas where these can be loaned from would be welcome.

Design a book cover and win a signed and dedicated book

Comment – a great idea – we will work on it.

Please bring back the chutney section

Comment – this disappeared because of lack of entries but we will consider again for next year – watch the web site.

Have ‘Any Other’ rather than ‘Miscellaneous’ for open needlework class

Comment – we will change this next year as it will make it fairer on entrants and easier to judge.

Pot Plants – suggest it says not won a prize before

Comment- we generally try to follow the rules of the RHS so we do allow previous winning plants to enter again. If the owner can keep it in great condition to win successive years they deserve the chance to enter. We may however limit the number of times a plant can win to allow other entrants a chance.

The judging of the fruit, veg, flowers and cakes etc seem to be very unfair. Where do the judges’ get their ideas from especially with the flower arrangements?

Comment – All the judges are qualified in their specialism and completely independent. We do ask them to write comments on the exhibits where practical to help visitors and entrants have an idea of what is being looked for. In the past we have had articles in the Keyworth News to explain judging techniques and it seems as though the time has come to repeat this.

A little more description on entry leaflets about exact criteria [i.e. on flower arranging, display techniques etc..] Overall fantastic!

Comment – Glad you enjoyed the show. Your comment does link to the one above and we have had free flower arranging classes for the last 3 years to help people understand techniques. When we write next years schedule we will consider your point and we also hope to have the classes for flower arranging again next year.

We would welcome the judges’ comments on the needlework section. These always make interesting reading but are also helpful to understand why certain items were better than others. [She always did this but not this year or last and we miss it.] [Name supplied]

Comment – I think we were pushed for time this year but we do our best to get comments in all classes in future.

Let me taste the cakes!

Comment – We suspect this comment came from a younger visitor but we all concur. If the cakes are not reserved we do auction them at the end of the show so that is your chance to truly get a flavour of a winner!