Virtual summer show set to give gardeners an opportunity to show off their creations

Keen growers, bakers and makers from Hayling Island and the surrounding area are invited to enter their hard work into Hayling Island Horticultural Society’s online competition, since the usual event cannot go ahead.

Anyone from these areas is welcome to join in with the fun, and if you are slightly further afield but you have something amazing to show off then entries will be considered from other areas.

Interesting classes including a men-only ginger tray bake, a scary animal model using recyclable materials and the ‘best shed’ will appear alongside more classic categories such as a basket of garden produce and a selection of three roses.

Liese Holden from the society said: ‘It was an idea we had to try and give everyone a bit of a focus for all their gardening and allotment efforts.

‘It is clear that spending time outdoors has been good during lockdown and people love to show off their efforts.

‘We are the largest society on the Island and have been heartened by the interest more people have taken in their garden or garden space however small.’

It will work slightly differently to a normal show as none of the entries will be seen in person, and judged purely on photographs submitted. Hundreds of entries are expected to be sent in, as the shows are normally really well-supported.

Each category has its own judge who will choose first, second and third place - however, there is no prize money for winning. Winners will be notified by mid July about their successful entries, once these have been selected by the judges.

To enter, gardeners will have to send an image of their entry, as well as one of themselves with the entry, to [email protected] from Wednesday, June 24, to Saturday, June 27.

For the full list of classes and further details about the show or Hayling Island Horticultural Society, visit hihs.org.uk

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