Show Rules

Flower, Plants, Fruit, and Vegetables to be judged to 2008 Edition of the RHS Show Handbook
 
1. Eligibility of Competitors
All horticultural classes are open to amateur gardeners.  An Amateur is a person who grows plants, flowers, fruit or vegetables for pleasure and enjoyment, and not for his/her livelihood.  If they employ a gardener, full or part-time, they can exhibit their product from their garden, but it must be in their own name and not in the gardener's name.  Anyone who is employed as a gardener can exhibit in his/her own name provided the produce is from his/her own garden or allotment.
 
2. Daffodil Classes (Spring Show only)
The VDHS has divided the Daffodil classes into two distinct sections. Section A is designated for entrants who have won fewer than three first prizes for Daffodils in the two most recent VDHS Spring Shows, or who have not exhibited Daffodils in any other regional Spring Horticultural Show. The VDHS maintains records of past prize winners and will verify all entry forms against these records. Exhibitors who regularly participate in other regional Spring Horticultural Shows are kindly requested to enter Section B.
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3. Exhibits
(a) Sections for Plants, Fruit, Flowers and Vegetables
These must be the property of the exhibitor and must have been grown from seed, owned, or cared for by the exhibitor for at least two months before the date of the Show.  The garden or land where exhibits are grown must be open for inspection if required by a representative of the Committee preceding or after a Show.  The diameter of a pot is the inside measurement at the top not including the roll or rim.  No bottles or jam jars are be used.  The word "kind" is used in the classification of fruit, vegetables, and flowers e.g. apples, grapes are kinds of fruit.  Carrots, onions are kinds of vegetables.  Marigolds, petunias are kinds of flowers.  The natural bloom on fruit should not be removed.
 
(b) Flower Arranging Section
Natural Plant Material must predominate in all classes according to the National Association of Flower Arranging Societies (NAFAS) Competitions Manual 4th Edition (2023), by which the competitive flower arranging classes will be judged.  An exhibit is composed of natural plant material, with or without accessories, contained within a space as specific in a show schedule.  All measurements are approximate.  Background, bases, containers, drapes, exhibit titles and mechanics may always be included in an exhibit, unless otherwise stated.  More than one placement may always be included, unless otherwise stated.  In all exhibits natural plant material must predominate.  All exhibits must be the unaided work of the competitor and may be assembled prior to the show or in the hall on show day.  A 'Novice' is someone who has not won a first prize in the flower arranging classes at the Verwood Horticultural Society. 
 
(c) Homecraft
All exhibits must be the work of the exhibitor.  No trade names on lids or jars and never mix wax discs with screw-top lids for marmalade, jams, chutney, and jelly.  Lemon Curd must always have a wax disc and cellophane cover, never a screw top lid.  Quiches and flans must not be displayed in a metal container.  Exhibitors should note that a quiche should be cooked in a single operation whereas the contents of a flan are cooked separately from the case before the contents are spread into the separately cooked flan case.  IMPORTANT : ALL FOOD ENTRIES WILL BE PROTECTED WITH A PLASTIC COVERING PROVIDED BY THE SOCIETY.
 
(d) Photographs and Handicrafts.
All entries must be the work of the exhibitor and must not have been exhibited in the previous 2 years.
This is an amateur competition. Submissions by professional photographers will not be considered.
 
4. Entries
All entries should be made in accordance with the instructions in the class details for each Show.
 
5. Entry Fee
There are no fees for entering the Shows.
 
6. Number of Entries Allowed
No competitor may enter more than one exhibit in any class.
 
7. Acceptance of Entries
The Committee reserves the right to refuse any entry, and in event of such refusal it is not required to give any reason or explanation.
 
8. Staging
Staging times are shown with each show.  Any exhibitor who requires assistance to carry entries from the car park (or vice versa) should speak to a committee member/Show Steward.  Exhibitors may use their own "containers" but care should be taken to ensure that these do not infringe the class requirements.  The Society has a supply of vases for use in the Flower Sections which are available for use during the show only.  They must not be removed from the hall.  Whilst prime responsibility for ensuring that entries conform to class requirements rests with the exhibitor, committee members and/or Show Stewards will give assistance during staging wherever possible.  Exhibits which may need to be moved for staging purposes will be done by Committee/Show Stewards only.  At the end of the staging period all persons must leave the Show premises with the exception of those on duty or those detained by the Show Manager.
 
9. Naming of Exhibits
It would be appreciated by the public and assist the Judges if, where possible, exhibitor name the varieties of their exhibits.  Plain white cards 8cm x 3cm must be used and block letters are recommended.
 
10. Exhibit Cards
Each exhibit must bear a card provided by the Show Manager on the Show premises within the time allowed for staging and must be in position by the end of the staging period.  Exhibitors will be responsible for checking the particulars given on the card and for placing them face downwards on the Show bench.
 
11. Rules for Judging.
(a) Awards may be revised.  Awards in any class may be withheld or modified on the recommendation of the Judge if the entries be of insufficient merit.
(b) Decisions.  The decision of the Judges shall be final as to the relative merits of the exhibits and the decision of the Committee shall be final on all matters connected with the Show.
(c) Protests.  Any protest must be delivered in writing to the Show Secretary while the Show is still open.
(d) Alteration of Exhibits.  Between the time fixed for the completion of the staging and the closing hour of the Show, no exhibit may be altered without the permission of the Show Manager.
(e) The Rules.  The Show will be generally governed by the 2008 Edition of the R.H.S Show Handbook and the 2015 Edition of the NAFAS Competitions Manual, copies of which are available from the Show Manager on short term loan.
 
12. Removal of Exhibits
No exhibit may be removed before the end of the Show.  In the interest of visitors arriving late, this rule will be strictly enforced.
 
13. Liability of Loss
All exhibits, personal property, etc. will be at the risk of the exhibitor at all times and the Committee will not be liable for loss or damage due to any cause whatsoever.  You might be asked to pay for any loss or damage while the trophy is in your care.
 
14. Trophies
All Trophies are perpetual and must be returned at least one week before the respective show to the Show Manager in a clean, undamaged condition please.  Charges may be made for any damage incurred.  If not, you may be considered unsuitable to win a trophy next year.
 
15. Prizes
Any prize voucher won cannot be exchanged for an alternative.  The categories with voucher prizes attached are included in the Show Handbook.
 
16. Photos
Photographs may be taken during the Spring, Summer or Autumn Shows and used as publicity with local press and on the VDHS website.
 
17. Build a Scarecrow Competition Rules covering Spring Show class 91 [in addition to Show Rules above]
 
(a)  Make and display a “Person from History” themed scarecrow.
(b)  Enter as an individual, or one entry per family, or one entry per school class, or group.
(c)  Your scarecrow should be displayed between 8.30am and 11am on Saturday 21 March in the designated area outside the Verwood Memorial Hall. 
(d)  Competitors are responsible for displaying their scarecrows at the event and are responsible for taking away their own scarecrow between 4.30pm and 5pm. 
(e)  Scarecrows should either be free standing, or with a pole for putting into the ground, or made so they can be attached to a fence post.
(f)  The scarecrow should be secured so that it will not blow away, and in a position that will not cause a danger, injury, or annoyance to others. The organising Committee will not be held responsible for any damage to Third Party property caused by the creation or insecurity of scarecrows.
(g)  The scarecrow should not be larger than 1m wide x 2m high. 
(h)  All scarecrows should be constructed to consider the prospect of inclement weather.
(i)  All entrants are reminded that this is a public event and all scarecrows must be made and displayed in good taste.  The VDHS Committee reserve the right to withdraw any scarecrows that they deem unsuitable.  Any entrant designing their scarecrow to cause deliberate offence will be disqualified.
(j)  Winning scarecrow will be chosen as “People’s Choice” – visitors to the show will be asked to vote for their favourite.
 
'The Great Verwood Grow Off' Rules covering Autumn Show classes 98/99/100 [in addition to Show Rules above]
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 18. Eligibility of Competitors - limited to GVGO (Autumn classes 98, 99, 100)
The entrant must be aged between 3 and 15 years old on 12 September 2026.  All entries must be made with the consent of a parent or guardian.  A 'Photo Usage Agreement' form must be filled in and signed by the parent or guardian of the entrant.  This will be part of the entry form submitted.
 
19. ​​Rules for Judging - limited to GVGO (Autumn classes 98, 99, 100)
Judging –
i) Prettiest Zinnias – the independent Judge will award the prize to the healthiest looking plant, also assessing the condition and number of flowers.  The Judge’s decision is final.
ii) Tremendous Tomatoes – the independent Judge will award the prize based on condition, quality, uniformity, trueness to type, and size. This includes the tomatoes being clean, free from blemishes, firm, ripe, and well-shaped.  The tomatoes should be presented with the calyx (green stalk bit at the top of the tomato) which should be green and fresh.  However, if these are not on the tomatoes presented, the Judge will not penalise the entrant. The tomatoes should be consistent in size, shape, and colour.
iii) Fanciest French Marigold - the independent Judge will award the prize to the healthiest looking plant, also assessing the condition and number of flowers.  The Judge’s decision is final.
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