Update from the Chair - Summer Show

Welcome to our new website. First of all, thanks must go to Jim, our media maestro, who has worked so hard to build the new website in time for the August Show as well as keeping everyone in touch throughout the year across our social media platforms. The website will become our main source of keeping everyone informed in all of the society activities.

This year we have held our usual round of coffee mornings, a welcome chance to catch up with friends as well as provide Disley with a host of tomato plants at our ‘tomatofest’ in April. Do enter your home-grown varieties in the Show.

We are grateful to Lyme Park for Stefan and Hugh (Lyme Park gardeners) hosting a members Talk in the Rose Garden.

Due to our association with RHS, we have been able to arrange a visit to RHS Bridgewater on 20th September, a beautiful garden which transform every year and in September will host The Cyclamen Show. A must for all cyclamen fans. Learn more and book your place here.

Our focus has been the 118th DLHS Annual Show, this year held on Saturday 16th August 2025. Thanks go to the team at the Amalgamated Sports Club for their ongoing support.

Last year, six hundred and fifty entries were exhibited across the classes in the Show, with a huge growth in the Arts & Crafts classes in the Badminton Hall. This year we have introduced several new classes into the Fruit and Vegetable Sections, and a small Confectionery Section, do look out for them highlighted in the Schedule. Last year, we reintroduced the Intermediate Section, which will continue this year, along with the junior classes and Under 5’s.

The Children’s Zone last year was very popular, so this year we have invited Handmade Beings to host a Sunlight Workshop for Children throughout the day, Lyme Park are running a colouring station, face painting and the bouncy castle will also be joining us again. Do bring the children along.

We also have the gardening team from Lyme Park, Hugh and Stefan, on hand in the Marquee at 1pm, so come and meet them, ask your questions and get top tips from the experts.

And don’t forget the very popular Pet Show in the Arena at 2pm with a variety of classes for all comers including two for the Under 16’s.

In anticipation of the show, the Society's Patron Lord Richard Newton said:

"One of my most enjoyable memories of the show was during Covid when I was joined by our grand-daughters in our garden in Sussex and we opened the show with great gusto on line! I send my very best wishes for the success of the 118th Show and many years thereafter".

The Show provides an ideal opportunity for our green fingered friends, culinary experts and many crafters to showcase their skills, share tips and knowledge, all coming together to celebrate on Show Day. Not forgetting our brewers and photographers.

There are classes for seasoned exhibitors as well as novices and children. It makes a good show when all of the tables are full and over flowing. The children, especially, are all delighted to see their work exhibited. The annual event has become a much-loved social event.

We have all of the favourites with us again this year, the Disley & District Flower Club with their magnificent displays, alongside East Cheshire Alpine Society, Manchester Bonsai Society, British Cactus and Succulent Society and Stockport Bee Society with experts on hand to answer all of your questions.

The Show Field plays host to over 35 stalls selling local crafts and goods supported by local organisations who work around the area. As usual we have several food and drinks stalls to keep everyone fed and watered, and the Amalgamated Bar will be open as well as running a Prosecco Bar on the field. Basin Street Jazz & Blues will be playing during the afternoon to keep everyone entertained with several of the stall holders providing activities for children. The Trade Stall Exhibitors are listed in the Schedule this year.

Thank you as ever to our sponsors and stalls, who provide much needed income to support the ever-growing costs of hosting the Show. Also, thanks to all of our volunteers who work tirelessly throughout the year to raise funds and then actually build and host the Show in show week.

Please enjoy the Show and bring the sunshine with you.

Angie Took

DLHS Chair