Gardeners invited to take part in the Royal Norfolk Show

Ahead of this year’s Royal Norfolk Show, gardeners are being invited to take part in the horticultural show hosted in the Garden Village.

Every year the Norfolk & Norwich Horticultural Society host their Summer Show at the Royal Norfolk Show and applications are now open for gardeners to submit their homegrown blooms, plants and produce for display in the horticultural marquee.

Whether you are a keen amateur gardener, a beginner, or a seasoned professional there are more than 140 categories for roses, sweet peas, cut flowers, pot plants, fruit, vegetables and floral art.

The Norfolk & Norwich Horticultural Society (NNHS) advocates gardening for everyone and has been running the horticultural show alongside the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association since 1922.

The Society’s new President, Julia Stafford Allen, is also the Norfolk Co-ordinator for the National Garden

Scheme. She said: “The horticultural marquee at the Royal Norfolk Show has been loved by generations.

“Visitors come to admire the fine exhibits but sadly entries have diminished over the years despite the rise in interest in gardening over recent times. It is so important to keep the show going, especially for all those aspiring horticulturalists still to come.

“Exhibiting might seem daunting, but I encourage as many of you as possible to give it a go; there are plenty of classes for beginners and I am sure there have been times when you wished you had entered and indeed might well have won. However, it is the taking part that is important.

“The NNHS is one of the oldest horticultural societies in the country, yet it has a contemporary approach, with the mission that ‘Gardening is for Everyone’ and as with many charities and health professionals, recognises the fact that gardening is good for us all and has so many health benefits.”

Entry is open to all, and the 2023 Summer Show includes categories for new and junior entrants as well as revised rose classes.

General Secretary of NNHS Lesley Webdale said: “It’s a friendly competition with entry open to all and the new rose classes include cutting a rose and floating it in a bowl or putting it in a photo frame – something many people could have a go at.

“Membership of the society is also open to all, giving an opportunity to join with like-minded individuals at gardening related shows and events – and of course to increase and share gardening knowledge.

“The opportunity to be a part of the Royal Norfolk Show is much appreciated by NNHS and the Norwich Group of Flower Clubs, both in terms of the opportunity to demonstrate our showing, growing and flower arranging capabilities and also because it gives a wonderful opportunity to engage with and advise the general public.”

Fearn Ainsworth, from the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association, said: “We are thrilled the Norfolk and Norwich Horticultural Society are taking part again in this year’s show.

“For 101 years they have provided an important contribution to the show very much enjoyed by our many visitors. The show is a fantastic place to showcase the importance of Horticulture in our countryside, while the society is a great piece of Norfolk and Norwich history.”

Membership to NNHS is £12 a year and offers friendly advice, four flower and produce shows each year, four editions of their journal ‘The Norfolk Gardener’, reduced ticket prices on social events which include garden visits, an annual Presidents Evening event and discounted entry to RHS Gardens.

Keen amateur gardener Kate Royall is a member of the Society, she said: “I love gardening and wanted to try my hand exhibiting at the Royal Norfolk Show. Every year I head to Garden Village to look in wonder at the exhibits.

“I hadn’t shown my plants before but came away with a first, second and third prize. It was utterly brilliant, and I will be entering again this year. The group is so welcoming and friendly and continue to share gardening knowledge that I put into practice all the time.”

Visitors to the Horticultural marquee will be able to view the Summer Show, chat to Society members and have a go on the popular plant tombola.

To find out more and to enter, please visit the Society’s website at www.nnhs.org.uk The Royal Norfolk Show takes place on 28th and 29th June 2023.

About Norfolk & Norwich Horticultural Society

The Society was founded in 1829 and is one of the oldest provincial horticultural societies in the country. It was established for the purpose of creating a greater interest in horticulture amongst the people of Norfolk and Norwich and to disseminate knowledge in such matters.

Now in our 190th year, we are a registered charity with the same aims – to encourage interest in and help with educating people about the benefits of gardening and horticulture. In April 2019 we launched a new mission – “Gardening for Everyone”.

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