Entries open for Stonehouse's first Horticultural Show

9:30am Saturday 17th May 2008

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GREEN-FINGERED residents are feeding their roses and sowing their radishes for the first Stonehouse Horticultural Show on Saturday, July 26.

The show, which will take place in the Stonehouse Community Centre in Laburnum Walk, has 70 classes, ranging from flowers and vegetables to crafts and photography.

Stonehouse mayor Mattie Ross, who is hoping to enter some plants from her garden, said: "We had seen the big success of Stroud show and we wanted a horticultural show for Stonehouse.

"It has had tremendous support.

"It's a fun day out for people and it's interesting for people to join in."

The flower classes include roses, sweet peas, geraniums, fuchsias, hanging baskets and patio pots.

Classes for fruit and vegetables include globe beetroot, runner beans, peas, radishes, rhubarb and soft fruit.

The children's classes fall into the age ranges of five and under, six to 11 and 12 to 16.

These include designing an edible necklace, making a fruit or vegetable animal and draw a pencil sketch on the theme of Harry Potter.

Other categories are floral art, photography, wine, handicrafts and cookery.

Country Gardens Garden Centre in Stonehouse has donated £20 vouchers to the winners of some categories, including best exhibition of sweet peas and fuchsias.

Highfield Garden World in Whitminster has donated a cup for the best rose.

A major's challenge cup will also be presented for the best exhibit of flowers in a vase.

Town councillor Gary Powell, who started organising the show in February, said: "It's looking quite promising at the moment because the schedules are fully out now.

"We organised 200 of them and they've started to go like nobody's business.

"This the first show in Stonehouse so we want to get a lot of support."

The judges will include horticultural expert Jim Jellyman for flowers, fruit and vegetables.

Entry into the show is 25p per class for adults or free of charge for children.

The deadline is 5pm on Thursday, July 24.

All money will go to prizes for next year's show.

For more information, collect a schedule from the town council office or contact the clerk Richard Lacey 01453 822070.