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How to Enter and Exhibit

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  1. Browse the classes in the schedule or on our online shop and decide on the classes that you would like to enter.
    Tip: See the Rules, Handy Hints and Entry Fee sections for eligibility criteria and fees.
     

  2. Fill in the entry form, available to print off here, or enter on our online shop. Hard copies of the schedule are available at Disley Community Centre. Should extra space be necessary on printed copies, continue on a plain sheet and staple this to the entry form.
     

  3. Submit your entry. If submitting a physical form, place the entry form and payment in an envelope and place in the box at one of the following locations, before 3pm Wednesday 12th August :

    • Disley Village Bakery, 30 Market Street, Disley.

    • Jupita Travel, 25, Cooperative Street, Disley

    • High Lane Garage, 111-113 Buxton Road, High Lane.

    • Danny's Deli, 31 Buxton Road, High Lane.

    • Martin Dale, 28 Cromley Road, High Lane.
       

    • Please note these vendors will not be able to assist with fee processing or arranging change – If you are paying by cash, please ensure you have put your entry form and the correct change in a sealed envelope and take it to your preferred drop off point. Cheques should be made payable to ‘Disley & Lyme Horticultural Society’ (minimum cheque value £1).

    • Online entries are paid for at the time of entering. Please note that a 30p transaction fee will be added at the check-out. There is no fee for free entries.

    • You can also submit your entry form and payment at the Showfield at Disley Amalgamated Sports Club, before 8pm on Wednesday 12th August.
       

  4. Harvest, create and bake your exhibits in time for the Annual Show. Please refer to the ‘Handy hints’ below for tips on entering and preparing exhibits.
     

  5. Stage your exhibits at the Showfield between 4pm and 8pm Friday 14th August, and 7am - 8am on Saturday 15th August. The correct location for your exhibits can be found on the display boards as you enter the marquee or badminton hall. Don’t forget to bring your own plate or dish to show your exhibits!
     

  6. Collect your pink slips from the volunteer at the entry to the marquee and follow the instructions on filling out the slip and how to fold it. You will receive one pink slip for each exhibit entered. This ensures anonymous staging and the exhibits can be judged without prejudice.
     

  7. Place the exhibits in the area marked for each class in the Marquee or Badminton Hall. Ask a volunteer for assistance if required. Exhibits will be judged and placings shown before the show gates open at 12 noon and must remain untouched until the show closes.
     

  8. Remove your exhibits within thirty minutes of the show closing.

Entry Fees and Prize Money

Entry fees per item:

  • Adults: 40p

  • Juniors: Free

  • Pet Show per class: 50p

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Please note that for online entries a 30p transaction fee will be added at the checkout. There is no fee for free entries.

 

Prize money per class, unless otherwise stated in the section listing:

  • First prize: £3

  • Second prize: £2

  • Third prize: £1

First, Second and Third prizes will also receive certificates.

 

Under 6s: Non-competitive, prizes available.

Pet show prizes: Best in show cup, rosette for 1st, 2nd & 3rd in each class and treats for the dog/pet.

Rules

  1. EXHIBITS: All exhibits must have been grown or made by the exhibitor without input from any other source. The Society reserves the right to inspect the allotment or garden of any exhibitor prior to the Show. Two exhibitors will not be allowed to show produce from the same garden or allotment plot in the same class.

  2. Arts and Handicrafts that have won a prize at a previous Disley Show are not eligible for competition but may be exhibited if labelled ‘NOT FOR COMPETITION’.

  3. CHALLENGE CUPS: Trophies will be presented at the Annual Show. The winners will be responsible for their safe custody thereafter and they must be returned to the society treasurer one month before the next Annual Show.

  4. PRIZES PER CLASS: Exhibitors may stage as many entries as they wish in any one class and may win as many prizes as are appropriate in any one class. In the event of a tie for trophies which are awarded for most points in one section, the winner will be decided by the number of firsts in each class in that section.

  5. JUDGES: Will have the power to withhold prizes where they consider the exhibits unworthy and also to award special prizes to designated exhibits. The Judge’s decision will be final.

  6. STAGING IS STRICTLY BETWEEN: 4pm and 8pm Friday 14th August 2026, and 7am to 8am Saturday 15th August 2026. Exhibitors are not allowed in the marquee, badminton hall or on the show field between 8.30am and the opening of the Show, unless officially required to be present. Exhibitors must provide their own containers, vases and presentation materials (e.g. plates, trays) except where specified.

  7. Reasonable care will be taken of exhibits during the Show, but the society cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or damage.

  8. NOVICES: Previous winners of a novice trophy (section D or E) are not eligible to enter the same novice class number for two years following the winning year.

  9. EXHIBITORS cannot enter equivalent classes in both open and novice sections.

  10. REMOVAL OF EXHIBITS: Exhibits are to remain untouched until after the Trophy presentation is complete and must then be removed within half an hour. Exhibits remaining after the Show closes will be disposed of.

  11. PINK CLASS TICKETS: To be collected from the entrance to the marquee during staging times. (no individual identifying marks are allowed to be written on the slips)

  12. OBJECTIONS: Should be submitted by filling in a form available from the information point at the show with a £2 deposit before 2.00pm on the day of the Show. If the objection is upheld the deposit will be refunded.

  13. MATTERS NOT PROVIDED FOR IN THE SHOW RULES: Will be decided by the Show Manager whose decision will be final.

Handy Hints

HORTICULTURAL CLASSES

Flowers

Always pick the best and avoid specimens that have damaged leaves or petals, are spattered with soil or infested with insects. Arrange them simply but tastefully in a plain vase or other holder. Take care not to include varieties that are not asked for. Do not put more in the vase than the class requires.
 

Fruit

Pick sound ripe fruit, clean and free from insect damage and set out on a plain plate or dish. Fruit should not be polished.
 

Vegetables

These are judged on condition, size, uniformity, quality and freedom from damage. Roots and foliage should be trimmed off unless the Schedule says otherwise. Wash off the surplus soil and do not polish the skins. Fasten bunches in a tidy bundle and arrange them neatly.
 

Pot Plants

These should be of even growth and free from damage or decayed parts. Cut off any dead leaves. The pot and any support should be clean and sound. If there is more than one plant in your display put the tallest at the back.

 

HOME AND HANDICRAFTS

Cakes And Bakes

Rich dark fruit cake is a Christmas cake, but not decorated or iced. A Victoria Sponge should be jam filled, without icing sugar on top or decorated in any other way. Make more than you need so that you can select the most even sizes, colour and shape.
 

Jam, Jellies, Marmalade, Lemon Curd

Don’t be afraid to enter your home-made preserves. Use a standard jam jar. Fill it to the top (the jam will shrink when it cools). Label neatly with type and date.
 

Knitting And Sewing

Entries need not be at all elaborate. Consistency and neat finishing are points that are looked for as is the use of colour, technique and quality of workmanship. In a close competition, arrangement and presentation will be taken into account.​

Disley and Lyme Horticultural Society actively promotes and encourages local interest in horticulture, art, handicrafts and home-made produce.

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The Annual Show is your Show, so why not take part. There are classes for beginners as well as experts so, to win one of the many prizes, just follow these simple guidelines and try your luck!

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