After a gap of many years, the newly re-inaugurated Ramsgate and District Horticultural Society is running a Summer Show once more.
Taking place in Vale Square at 2pm on Saturday 30th August, there will be lots of opportunities for people to enter, including multiple fruit, vegetable and floral categories, along with baking, jam, photography, and pot plant options for those whose interests are more focussed on indoor activities.
There will be several categories for children to enter too: a miniature model garden, a decorated terracotta plant pot, decorated fairy cakes, and a poster category that asks them to show how they are helping to protect and improve the environment.
For children there will be goodie bags for all who enter and medals for those in first, second and third place. Overall winners in the vegetable, fruit and floral categories will have their achievements inscribed on the original Society’s silver cups that are now being brought back into use.
Entry for contestants and visitors alike is free. Light refreshments will be available. East Kent author Julie Wassmer, whose novels have now been turned into the TV series Whitstable Pearl, will be awarding the prizes, which will include signed copies of her book Murder on the Allotment amongst other goodies.
Julie said: “I am delighted to have been invited to come along to this event to award the prizes to the lucky winners, especially as it emphasises the importance of cherishing our local environment. I am very much looking forward to it.”
In addition to the main horticultural event there will be stalls showcasing local good causes along with the produce and crafts of local independent traders.
R&DHS Chair Linda Miller said: “The Summer Show will be a lot of fun and in addition to having so much horticultural produce on display we are delighted to be able to give local craftspeople and small businesses the opportunity to display and sell their wares. We are confident that people will be impressed by the range of good quality and keenly-priced items they offer.”
Westgate-on-Sea allotment holder and R&DHS committee member Ian Venables said, “I very much hope all gardeners and allotmenteers will want to get involved with this event. It is a great opportunity to show off the products of your efforts over the gardening year. All are welcome, entry is free and there’s the possibility that you might end up with your name inscribed on one of the historic cups! Put the date in your diary and start thinking about what you can enter now.”
All are welcome. Please email [email protected] to get a full list of the categories and to let the Society know that you intend to submit entries – deadline for letting them know is 23rd August. You do not need to be a member of the Society to take part.
The Square will be open for submissions from 9am – 10.30am on the Saturday morning. It will then be closed for judging until 2pm when the Square will open to the public to view the various horticultural offerings, browse the stalls and view the award ceremony, with winners being announced, and prizes awarded, at 3.30pm.
More information about the Society, including how to join, can be found at https://ramsgatehorticulturalsociety.uk There is also a facebook page: Ramsgate and District Horticultural Society.
