Last year was my first ever attempt at showing vegetables. My initial plan was to be able to compete at my local allotment association show but I was also persuaded to enter the NVS Southern National with my long carrots.
It just so happened that the NVS show was 2 weeks before my local show but the trouble came when I won the long carrot class at this prestigious level, as I was then told by a committee member of the allotment association, that I should be able to enter their show as I was now a professional. This if you who know will, will definitely know that I am no professional or expert of any kind and my success in the NVS show was mainly down the help and advise from a friend.
There became quite a bit of animosity and tension every time I popped in the allotment shop so I stopped going in. Things become more tense on the day when I cleared up every class I entered, taking all the Horticultural cups in my first attempt. Previously, it has always been a committee member take the main horticultural prizes and I believe I am the first committee outsider to take everything.
It was suggested to me that I was above the local show and would be best to focus on more higher level shows. I did agree and informed the committee that I would only like to enter the 'Fun Class, which is basically the biggest and heaviest of everything. This is fun to do and many people try to grow the heaviest marrow, longest runner bean and of course longest carrot and parsnip.
The 2012 show schedule came out this week and to my astonishment, the longest carrot and parsnip classes have been removed from the Fun Class for the first time since the show has been running. Despite what they say, you can bet your money this is an attempt to prevent me from winning this section, as two of the classes I had won previously, have now been taken away leaving just 6 out of the original 8 classes in the section.
How small minded and spite people can get. There seemed to be more enthusiasm and interested in the quality veg on display last year than previous and this can only be good advertising to promote gardening and showing in the local area.
Well with two of my classes now removed, I feel that I may just enter the rest of the horticultural classes again with my left over veg from my other main shows. Watch this space, as I won't be at all surprised if my application is rejected
You're better off out of it mate, there must be other local shows to enter around that time of year that are more accepting of allcomers.
ReplyDeleteIt's no the point mate
ReplyDeleteI was their first chairman who was part of a twosome who started the association and got it off the ground. They would not have it, if it weren't for the hard work I and another put in, in the first place.
This situation is more common place than you think. Last year in my first proper attempt at the main classes I won most of the veg categories and took half the trophies but instead of being met with congratulations, I was given snears and dirty looks by the regular "winnners". It got so bad with allegations that I hadn't grown my vegetables that I considered quitting veg growing altogether. Obviously these allegations were completely false and this year my main concentration will be on other shows that are more friendly. I do however feel sorry for the organisers of these shows because they are having their efforts wasted by small minded people looking for quick success at the cost of their horticultural community.
ReplyDeleteIn my case it is the organisers who are the issue
ReplyDeleteThey have always had one of their committee members win all the trophy's until last year. They are now even removing classes to assist them winning section 4 'fun class' no fun anymore
It is such a shame that these people ruin what is ment to be (especially at local level) fun for everyone and try to take all the glory for themselves.
ReplyDeleteSuch narrow minded people, it really pisses me off. Keep entering the show, wind them up even more.
ReplyDeletelol, like your style Mr Rob
ReplyDeleteWelcome to my blog, nice to see new faces
Darren
ReplyDeleteIts ironic that you have come up against this small mindedness. The first show I went to up here three years ago, I was met with a bit of "aye he's trying hard but not much good" In 2011 it was "Oh so your John Martin" and I felt really uncomfortable. I didn't even win the bloody thing. I did get my best two exhibits "NAS" after the steward allowing me to bench them. But as I said at the time I will show there one more time and then if met with the same reception showelse where.
Hoss
The problem we all have Hoss, is that there are not many National Shows and for those of us beginning and not yet in the top frame regular, the only other place we can practice and attempt to get something back for our efforts, is the local shows. Why should we drop our standards to their level just to appease them. Why shouldn't they want to aspire to a better quality product and lift their game to compete. After all, isn't that the aim of a competition?
ReplyDeleteSuccess with showing is all about the competition your up against. There's no point entering the same show every year if your going to win everything and put others off entering, the success is quite hollow then and is not as gratifying as pushing your growing ability and challenging people that have regular achieve a higher standard. An example of this was when I won the novice section of our local show I was happy but the year after when competing in the regular sections I felt a greater level of achievement getting my seconds and thirds. the question needs to be raised why are these people who are winning shows regularly not 'climbing the ladder' of show standards?
ReplyDeleteI agree, which is why a agreed not to show in the local show, albeit only my second year and to only enter the fun class, which is the biggest of everything, just for some fun with some other friends. The committee went out of their way to piss me off, by removing the two classes which I have the most enjoyment doing
ReplyDeletehaha. they're twats. ignore them.
ReplyDeletenice blog btw.