Autumn Show 2026
Saturday 12 September 2026
Despite one of the most challenging summers in recent years, the show benches were once again packed with colour, variety and horticultural skill at the Verwood & District Horticultural Society’s Autumn Show on Saturday 12 September.
More than 350 exhibits were entered across the many classes, giving the judges a difficult task as they considered the impressive standard of entries. There was a real buzz in the hall when the doors opened to the public and exhibitors eagerly checked the results. By prize-giving time, the hall was packed with visitors, with the Mayor of Verwood, Simon Gibson, presenting the awards.
This year's winners...
Verwood Traders Challenge Cup : Most Points in Flowers, Vegetables & Fruit : Bill Howarth
Alan Leicester Cup : Most Points in Flowers & Pot Plants : Bill Howarth
The Roberts Cup : Best Exhibit in Flowers : Bill Howarth
Verwood Rose Bowl : Most Points for Roses : Roger Church
Verwood Town Council Millennium Cup : Most Points in Dahlias : Ollie Greensmith
Bill Andrews Challenge Cup : Best Exhibit in Dahlias : Ollie Greensmith
Pat Morrow Cup : Best Exhibit in Pot Plants : Bill Howarth
Verwood Traders Chased Trophy : Most Points in Flower Arranging : Doreen Norton / Diane Northam / Anne Bartlett
Dewlands Trophy : Best Exhibit in Flower Arranging : Doreen Norton
Verwood British Legion Silver Challenge Cup : Best Exhibit in Men Only Flower Arranging : Roger Church
Autumn Garden Cup : Best Use of Garden Material in Flower Arranging : Anne Bartlett
Verwood British Legion Challenge Cup : Most Points in Vegetables : Bill Howarth
VDHS Cup : Best Exhibit Vegetables : Bill Howarth
Sid Dommett Cup : Best Onion Exhibit : Robert Driscoll
Shutler Cup : Most Points in Fruit : Roger Church / Bill Howarth
The Frampton Cup : Best Exhibit in Fruit : Bill Howarth
Eva Joy Trophy : Most Points Homecraft : Anita Rigler
VDHS Best Exhibit : Best Exhibit in Homecraft : Lesley Swaffield
Verwood Traders Challenge Cup : Most Points Handicraft : Liz Green / Wendy Chapman
VDHS Best Exhibit : Best Exhibit in Handicraft : Diane Ponting
Verwood Traders Challenge Cup : Most Points in Photography : Ollie Greensmith
VDHS Best Exhibit : Best Exhibit in Photography : Geoff Stubbs
VDHS Best Exhibit : Best Exhibit in Juniors : Carter Hayes
Great Verwood Grow Off 2026 : Fanciest French Marigold : Amy Hutchings
Great Verwood Grow Off 2026 : Prettiest Zinnia : Phillipa Blatchford
Great Verwood Grow Off 2026 : Tremendous Tomatoes : Heidi Greensmith
BANKSIAN MEDAL : Roger Church
2026 Annual Awards...
Mary Rose Bowl : Most Points for Roses 2026 : Ann Gordon
Audrey Andrews Trophy : Most Points in Flower Arranging 2026 : Anne Bartlett
VDHS Homecraft Trophy : Most Points in Homecraft 2026 : Anita Rigler
Ted Oliver Cup : Most Points for Handicraft 2026 : Liz Green / Wendy Chapman
Photographer of the Year Award : Most Points for Photographs 2026 : Ollie Greensmith
VDHS The President’s Millennium Cup : Most Points for Flowers & Pot Plants 2026 : David Bassil