Topsham Flower and Vegetable Show

ABOUT THE SHOW

The Annual Topsham Flower and Vegetable Show is a friendly competition in garden and kitchen produce and also garden-related photography and poetry.

It is for anyone living in Topsham and the surrounding area, including members of TAGS and the Topsham Flower Club, all allotment holders and gardeners. We are particularly keen for children to take part.

We also aim to:

• To raise funds through sales of produce, a raffle and the sale of tea & cakes to cover the costs of running the Show.
• To promote the purpose of the Society by advertising the benefits of membership and recruiting of new members.
• To be an enjoyable event for the contestants, show volunteers and members of the general public.

The first Show was held in 1967 and has evolved to include about 70 Classes, mostly vegetables, fruit and flowers, but including kitchen produce which we are trying to encourage. It also includes a very popular Photography Competition. 2024 will see the introduction of a new poetry class and 3 classes specifically for children.

The Show is open to the public between 2 and 4pm. During that time there is a Raffle, a stall where you can buy local produce, and a marquee where tea & cake is served. You’re welcome to attend the prize giving at the end - it is a lovely community event!

Dear TAGS members

Cathy specified to her great friend, Richard, that she would like the TAGS Show raffle to have her voucher for entry for two adults to Rosemoor, valid until Dec 2026

The voucher's value is £31.40

The reason we are offering this before our Show raffle is so that the buyer would be able to use it from now

If you are interested in buying this please let me know your bid and I will let you know if there is more than one offer

Many thanks

Sue Newman and Rosie Hanvey

"I had never realised how satisfying it could be to see my carrots displayed alongside others, and with a Second Prize certificate!"

Many of you will already be considering which of the Fruit, Vegetable and Flower Classes of the TAGS Show you hope to enter. Others, however, may never have thought about entering the Show. Here, to inspire you are some photos from last year's entries. The entry forms will be available in a few months time and you might find there are one or two classes you would like to try.

Anyone for Tea?

Your mouth will water as you peruse the Baking and Home Produce classes at the TAGS Show on 23 August. Maybe, also, you will be amused, impressed or inspired by some of the Cakes for a Celebration or the children's class of Gingerbread-like Characters (no ginger required).

The Open Fruit Tarts will reflect some skilful fruit growing and baking, and I am sure there will be some novel and traditional savoury and sweet Muffins. There will also be an opportunity for Handmade Bread bakers to show off their skills and creativity.

Of course there will be an opportunity to admire traditional cakes, this year it will be a Victoria Sponge. No doubt some of them will have been filled with a home made Jam some of which will be on display alongside an interesting range of Chutneys.

Thirsty work? Well, how about looking at the unconventional and traditional contents of the Topsham Tipples: alcoholic and non-alcoholic?

By now you may be ready to eat some cake, muffins, biscuits or other delicious, donated home baked items. They, with tea, coffee, squash, juice etc, will be on sale outside in the garden of Matthews Hall on Show Day.

If you are thinking of entering the Show or just having a look at the Show Programme, we will be distributing them in early July. Nearer the time we will give details of how you can obtain one and, meanwhile, keep an eye out for posters around Topsham and the surrounding area.

 "People had always admired my roses but I was amazed when I saw that they had won a First Prize."

You don’t need a Garden or Allotment to be able to join TAGS, a love of gardens is reason enough. It certainly doesn’t stop you from entering our annual Show either. If you live in Topsham why not “have a go” it’s free!! The Show Programme and Entry forms will be available in early July from Nancy Potter House, Lily’s Bookshop and our Trading Hut (at Butts Park from 10.30am to 11.30am on Saturday and Sunday) This will give you details of how to enter our Poetry and Photo competitions as well as the other classes. We might need a distraction from the drama of the World Cup after all!

The theme for this year’s Poetry Competition is ‘Colour in My Garden’. Full details on how to enter will be spelled out in the Show Programme, available in early July. In the meantime key considerations include: entries must be typed (not handwritten), minimum length 10 lines, maximum 40 lines and don’t put your name on the poem itself! Closing date will be 3 August.

The 3 subjects for the Photo Competition are Garden or Allotment View, Plant Portrait and Weather in the Garden or on the Allotment. We have had plenty of weather in the past few months!

Rosie Hanvey, Show Secretary

Prizes

2025 TAGS Show – Best in Show