The schedule for the 2025 Spring show has now been agreed and classes are as follows:
2025 Schedule download
WOLVERHAMPTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
ANNUAL SHOW
Supported by David Austin Roses, Hillview Hardy Plants and Halfpenny Green Wine Estate
Saturday 30th August 2025
PENN UNITED REFORM CHURCH,
333 PENN ROAD, WV4 5QF
Admission £1 (includes entry fee for 4 exhibits)
| Refreshments available from 2.00pm. Show opens to the public at 2.30pm. Prize presentation 3.00pm | ||||
| Staging on the day from 9.00am to 11.30am | ||||
| For further information contact Paul Bassett 07734328334 or visit www.wolveshorticulturalsoc.co.uk | ||||
| Wolverhampton Horticultural Society Annual Show | ||||
| Saturday August 30th 2025 | ||||
| Penn United Reform Church Hall, 333 Penn Road | ||||
| Wolverhampton WV4 5 QF | ||||
| Class | Class | |||
| FRUIT – Guidance note 18 | POT PLANTS – Guidance note 17 | |||
| 1 | 3 dessert apples | 29 | 1 pot (any size) of any flowering plant | |
| 2 | 3 cooking apples | 30 | 1 pot (any size) of any foliage plant | |
| 3 | 6 Plums or at least 9 Damsons | |||
| 4 | 3 Pears ripe or unripe | FLORAL ART (accessories permitted) | ||
| 5 | 9 Berries | –Guidance note 17 | ||
| 31 | An arrangement – “Paddington Bear” | |||
| VEGETABLES | 32 | An arrangement in a candlestick | ||
| 6 | 5 White Potatoes | (not to exceed 12″ (30cm) in diameter) | ||
| 7 | 5 Potatoes other than white | 33 | A display of flower heads on water. | |
| 8 | 3 courgettes approx 15cm long – note 19 | (Bowl not to exceed 8″ (20cm) diameter) | ||
| (round courgettes approx 7.5cm diameter) | 34 | An arrangement to fit in a cup and saucer | ||
| 9 | 5 round tomatoes more than 3cm in diameter – note 18 | 35 | Buttonhole comprising a single flower, | |
| 10 | 10 round tomatoes less than 3cm in diameter – note 18 | simple foliage, | ||
| 11 | 5 French beans | |||
| 12 | 5 Runner Beans | HOME PRODUCE (guidance note 21) | ||
| 13 | 3 Beetroot | 36 | 5 shortbread biscuits (same size) | |
| 14 | 3 vegetables, same variety, not listed in 6-13 | 37 | 5 Welsh cakes | |
| (to include rhubarb) | 38 | 5 pieces Rocky Road tray bake | ||
| 39 | Ginger cake | |||
| CHAMPIONS CORNER – members only | 40 | Lemon drizzle cake | ||
| 15 | The heaviest marrow or squash | 41 | 1 jar of jam | |
| 16 | The longest runner bean | 42 | 1 jar of curd | |
| 43 | 1 jar of marmalade or jelly | |||
| HERBS | 44 | 1 jar of pickle/ chutney/ savoury sauce | ||
| 17 | 3 sprigs of each of 3 different species in a vase | |||
| PHOTOGRAPHS – max 5″ x7″ | ||||
| MEMBERS’ PLANT | two entries per class per exhibitor only | |||
| 18 | Garlic | 45 | Nature’s patterns | |
| 19 | Lobelia | 46 | Wild life in the garden | |
| 47 | A door | |||
| CUT ORNAMENTALS | ||||
| 20 | 5 Fuchsia heads, same variety | ARTS AND CRAFTS WITH A GARDEN | ||
| (display boards provided) | THEME | |||
| 21 | Vase of garden flowers, mixed variety | 48 | A bug house | |
| no extra foliage (vase not judged) | 49 | A wreath for a door | ||
| 22 | 1 stems of a Dahlia | 50 | A mask for a garden party | |
| 23 | 3 stems of Dahlias same variety | |||
| 24 | 1 stem of a rose or roses | |||
| 25 | 3 sprays of the same flowering shrub or tree | |||
| 26 | 3 sprays of the same berried shrub or tree | |||
| 27 | 3 sprays of the same decorative foliage | |||
| (can be any plant/shrub/fern) | ||||
| 28 | 3 stems of any flower, same variety | |||
Wolverhampton Horticultural Society Show: Rules and notes for guidance (2025 edition)
1. On arrival exhibitors MUST register with the Entry Steward to receive their exhibitor’s number and display cards (one card to be placed with each exhibit). Entry fees must be paid at the Treasurer’s table before staging.
2. The Prizes for all classes are: 1st £1; 2nd 60p; 3rd 40p. Points towards trophies and medals are: 1st 6 pts; 2nd 4pts; 3rd 2pts. Prize monies can be collected from the Treasurer’s table after the prize presentation.
- Trophies are awarded as follows: Overall Show winner: classes 1 to 50
Fruit: classes 1 to 5 Vegetables: classes 6 to 18
Cut Ornamentals: classes 19 to 28 Pot Plants: classes 29 to 30
Floral Art: classes 31 to 35 Home Produce: classes 36 to 44
Photography: classes 45 to 47 Arts and Crafts: classes 48 to 50
Children’s cup: Members’ children/grandchildren aged 15 or under with most points across all classes
- The Royal Horticultural Society Banksian Medal is awarded for horticultural classes only (classes 1 to 35). Any person who has won the medal in the last two years is not eligible.
5. The National Vegetable Society medal will be awarded for the most meritorious exhibit in classes 6 to 18.
6. The Ben George Challenge Trophy will be awarded to the exhibitor, who has the highest total of points, but has not won one, or more of the main trophies/awards/medals. An extra 2 points will be awarded for each class in which the member has entered at least one exhibit. Any person who has won the trophy in the last two years is not eligible.
7. Classes will be judged to Royal Horticultural Society or appropriate National Society rules.
8. Exhibits in Photographs (classes 45 to 47) and Arts and Crafts (classes 48 to 50) must not have been previously exhibited at a Wolverhampton Horticultural Society show. Photographs must be prints up to a maximum of A4 including mount, and must be exhibitor’s own work
9. If, in the opinion of the Judge, the entries in a class are insufficient, classes may be grouped together. The Members garlic should have roots removed and not be divided into segments (cloves).
10. Prizes may be withheld if the Judge considers the entries do not merit an award. The Judge’s decision is final in all matters relating to exhibits.
11. The Committee reserves the right to refuse any entry without giving a reason or explanation for such a refusal. Members joining on the day of the show are not eligible for the Members only classes or the Ben George Challenge Trophy.
12. Objections by exhibitors must be lodged in writing to the Show Secretary by 2.45pm, with a deposit of £1 for each objection, which shall be forfeited if the objection is not upheld by the Show Committee, whose decision is final.
13. No exhibits may be removed before the presentation of the trophies.
14 When an exhibitor is unable to stage in person, the delegate must be present at prize giving and remove the exhibit at the end of the Show
15 Exhibits must be the property of the exhibitors and must have been in their possession for at least six weeks
16. Two or more persons may not exhibit, separately, items in the same class from the same garden or allotment, except in the Flower Arrangement classes.
17 Flower Arrangements will gain points for harmonious containers or supports. Pot plants will gain points for presentation, i.e. clean pots, neat tying or staking, freedom from blemishes in the leaves and flowers. Max base 30cm sq
18. Fruits and tomatoes should be presented on a plate (cardboard is acceptable) and should be unpolished and ripe, (except in the case of apples and pears which may be shown ripe or unripe), and with stalks.
19 Beetroots should have leaves trimmed to 7.5cm (3”). Courgettes may be with or without flower attached. Leek leaves trimmed to 2” above the “button” and roots trimmed.
20 Garnish can be included in the display of 3 or more vegetables but will not be considered during the judging process.
21 Entries in the Home Produce classes must conform to the details on the recipe sheets, including ingredients and size. All exhibits should be on an appropriate size plate. See guidance on Tips for Home Produce section.
Tips for Home Produce Section of the Annual Horticultural Show
Cookery
Recommended marking scheme:
Each item is marked on its own merits out of 20. Most marks are given for aroma and flavour, as this is the hallmark of home baking.
External appearance 4
Colour shape and uniformity
Internal condition 4
Depth of crust, texture, distribution of ingredients
Flavour/aroma 12
(a) General points for all cakes
In proportion (depth/width length) e.g., good idea to weigh mixture into the tins.
Sides smooth, indicating a well-lined tin.
No cooling rack marks on top of cake or air bubbles.
Any fruit should be evenly distributed, no sign of flour pockets.
Unless schedule states otherwise, cakes should be presented on a plate.
(b) Preserves
Recommended marking scheme:
Each item is marked on its own merits, out of 20
External standard
Container, cover, label, appearance 2
Internal standard
Colour and quantity 5
Quality
Consistency and texture 6
Flavour and aroma 7
(c) Covers for Jams, Jellies and Marmalades
The first thing the judge looks for is a seal. This shows that the item is actually worthy of the term preserve.
A twist top or plastic cover will “pop” when opened if there is a trueseal.
Lids should always be put on freshly potted sugar preserves, immediately each jar is filled, when hot.
Avoid honey jars with screw tops, as the thread does not produce a good seal. The new twist tops however do give a good seal.
Slow cooking before adding sugar & very rapid boil once sugar added.
No manufacturers names on lids or jars (Kilner jars are acceptable as Kilner do not manufacture preserves).
Wax discs not necessary with screw top
Try to use new lids
Always ensure fruit is well cooked before adding sugar, fill jar to top
(d) Recycled jars and lids
If no seal of preservation is present, the item is not acceptable (NA) and is not marked further. (Often an exhibitor will be tempted to test the seal before exhibiting, and thus destroy it!)
Labels should be plain, neat and straight and of suitable size for the container. Place label between the seams of the jar. Label should state the contents and day, month and year of making.
(e) Lemon Curd – Must be covered so it can breathe, ie wax disc +cellophane. Solid lids are not acceptable.
(f) Marmalade – leave to settle for 20mins & stir before potting.
(j) Vinegar preserves
Keep at least two months before showing.
Covers of preserves must prevent evaporation and should not be liable to corrosion due to the presence of vinegar (e.g. twist tops with plastic linings, pliable plastic on traditional jam jars)
Do not use cellophane cover.
Pickles
Colour of all pickles is better if white vinegar is used rather than malt.
Clear pickle
Vegetables should be crisp (except beetroot, which should be tender)
Chutney
Label should state HOT or MILD. Mature flavour improved by being potted for two to three months
Wolverhampton Horticultural Society
SHOW ENTRY FORM
Fill in your name, address, number of exhibits and payment dues then hand the completed form to the Treasurer. You will be given an Exhibitor’s number and cards to put with each of your exhibits.
For each exhibit, write your Exhibitor’s number on one side of the card and the relevant class number on the other. Place the card with your Exhibitor’s number face down on the show bench so the class number is uppermost.
Registration and staging is from 9.00am to 11.30am. Staging MUST be completed by 11.30am and the hall vacated to allow judging to start promptly.
| Name | ||
| Address | ||
| Post Code | ||
| Telephone Number | ||
Are you a member of the WHS? Yes/No
—————————————————————————————————————————————————
| Number of exhibits | |
| Fee payable £1.00 (includes 4 entries) then @ 25p per exhibit |
Member’s Classes 25 and 26 are NOT free
To be completed by Show Steward:
| Exhibitor’s number |
Ben George Challenge Trophy (WHS members only)
Please tick each category entered:
| Fruit | Vegetables | Cut Ornamentals | Pot Plants | Floral Art | Home Produce | Photography | Arts & Crafts |