Autumn Show 6 September 2025
Report below
AUTUMN SHOW REPORT
These reports usually start with a comment on the weather and this year is no different. This summer has been one of the hottest and driest on record and accordingly has been a major challenge for gardeners, not helped by the hosepipe ban that came in late July. As a result vegetables, fruit and flowers have either matured early or not at all. At one point in late August we were concerned that we might have to cancel the Show. However having circulated a plea to all members to submit entries for the Show, even though they might not be up to standard, members responded magnificently. As a result we had more entries overall than we have seen since before Covid. A very big thanks to all members and others who exhibited despite the difficult conditions
Alan Woodward and Ray Plowman shared the Cups for the vegetable and fruit classes with a fine and comprehensive display over a wide range of entries. Ray Plowman picked up the trophy for the best entry in the tomato classes with a winning exhibit of 5 Standard sized tomatoes
The flower entries provided a colourful display including tall spikes of gladiolus, and a range of dahlias of different sizes, shapes and colours. Grasses and displays of mixed flowers also made an elegant and colourful show. Ray Plowmen was the overall winner to add to his vegetable triumphs and Sally Strang won the Parker Rose Bowl for the best single rose.
Entries in the domestic classes were also well up and included some excellent Victoria sandwich and Tea loaf cakes, cheese straws and cheese and sage scones. Liz Manson and Jenny Joynson were joint winners of the Rose bowl for the most points in the domestic classes
We were particularly pleased to have a selection of Junior entries with some really ingenious bug houses, beautifully decorated biscuits and colourful paintings of hot air balloons. The cups were shared between Peter and Douglas Rogers.
Entries in the photography classes were also well up covering topics that included Hedges, Shadows, Sculpture in the Garden, In the greenhouse, Colourful houses and Farm Animals. The overall winner was Chris Scruby and Best in Show was a charming photo by Paul Cockburn of his wife in her greenhouse.
Our thanks to all those who entered and made an early start on Saturday morning in order to display their exhibits before the judging started at 10.30am. We are also grateful to our external judges who take great care and consideration in their judging. The individual comments they make on the domestic, junior and photography classes are greatly appreciated. Sadly Margaret King, our judge for the domestic classes, is retiring from judging at our Shows. She has been a supportive and informative judge for us over many years and we will miss her expertise and advice.
We try to make the Show a friendly and attractive event for anyone who would like to take part. There are 64 classes covering a wide range of exhibits. You do not need to be an expert or grow vegetables, fruit or flowers specifically for show purposes. There are excellent chances of winning a 1st, 2nd or 3rd prize in each class even if you are entering for the first time and just taking part is rewarding. We would like to see more of what you grow normally in your garden and for those who are not gardeners or do not have a garden the cooking and photography classes provide an opportunity to take part. In particular we would like to encourage even more young people to enter the Junior classes. This is village event which we would encourage everyone to support as part of a thriving Cumnor community.
We are grateful to everybody who helped make this another very enjoyable and successful afternoon including exhibitors, judges, helpers and all those who came to the Show.
AUTUMN SHOW PRINCIPAL WINNERS
The Tony Wickson Memorial Cup for the best Spring Sown onion – Alan Woodward
The Jack Wickson Memorial Cup for the best entry in Class 1 (mixed vegetables) – Ray Plowman
The Street Trophy for the best entry in Classes 2 and 3 (tomatoes) – Ray Plowman
The Drury Memorial Shield for the most points in the root vegetable classes – Alan Woodward
The Harry Charlton Cup for the most points in Classes 1 – 34 (vegetables and fruit) – Alan Woodward
The Parker Rose Bowl for the best exhibit in class 43 (single rose) – Sally Strang
The A L Webb Memorial Tray for the most points in Classes 35 to 49 (flowers) – Ray Plowman
The Rose Bowl for the most points in the domestic classes – Liz Manson and Jenny Joynson
The Hawtin Trophy for the most points in the junior classes age under 7– Douglas Rogers
The Hawtin Trophy for the most points in the junior classes age 7– 10 – Peter Rogers
The Parker Trophy for the most points in the photographic classes – Chris Scruby
The Parker Trophy for the best photograph – Paul Cockburn
The next show will be in the Spring on Saturday 28 March 2026. Now is the time to plant your daffodils and tulips.