Annual Show 2018: The Annual Show will take place on Saturday, September 8th in the Victoria Club function room.   The closing date for Show Entries is Thursday, 6th September and should be sent to the Entries Secretary, Pat Baker.   All details and entry forms are in the Show Schedule which may be accessed from this website.    Members should have received their schedules.   Contact the correspondence secretary, Mrs Lin Driscoll, if you haven't received your schedule - 01458 443303.   This is the Society's 70th show - let's make it the best!

The 2018 Schedule for the Annual Show is now available on this website on the Shows and Schedule page.   

Stop Press: Kate Wilson Has agreed to be our Press Officer on the committee.   We wish her every success with this.

Annual General Meeting: The AGM was held in the Unity Club on Tuesday 6th February, 2018.   The chairman reported on the previous year’s activities. The Annual Show was held in the Victoria Club function room, but, in spite of the change of venue, it was a great success, with more entries and plenty of visitors. We were pleased to be invited to have a stand at the Bishop’s Palace, Wells, for the Annual English Garden Festival which was enjoyable, and a learning experience!

The treasurer issued copies of the balance sheet, which indicated a healthy financial situation for the Society.

The Election of Officers and Committee followed, and those voted in were:-

 

President:	Ken C. Dunthorn
Chairman:	John Merrick
Vice Chair:	Jim Searle
Correspondence Secretary:	Lin Driscoll
Minutes Secretary:	Mary Whitaker
Entries Secretary:	Pat Baker
Treasurer:	Pat Baker
Membership Secretary:	Pat Baker
Show Manager:	Gordon West
Public Relations/Press Officer:	Post not filled – discuss at first committee meeting
Committee:	C. Bentley, P. Boncey, C. Driscoll, L. Taylor, S. Lovelace, R. Hamlett, K. Wilson, T.Vernoum plus officers

The first committee meeting will be on Tuesday March 6th.

The likely dates for the Plant Sale and Annual Show will be Saturday 19th May and Saturday 8th September. After some discussion, it seems likely that the Annual Show will be held at the Victoria Club this year.

Refreshments were then served, followed by an interesting and amusing illustrated talk by Claire Hart on “Giant Vegetables” The talk was popular, and enjoyed by all. The meeting finished after the raffle about 9.45pm.

The 2017 Gallery of photos: Now available from the website gallery page.   It includes photos of the demonstration by last year's speaker, Jake Nicholson-Lailey, and of our stand at the Bishop's Palace Garden Festival.

THE 2017 ANNUAL SHOW was held this year in the function room at the Victoria Club, Leigh Road, Street, as our usual venue, the Crispin Hall, was not available due to the renovations taking place.   We are grateful to them for allowing us to use their function room.   The room was a different shape, which required a lot of juggling to show the exhibits at their best. However, it was light and airy, and ideal for both setting up and viewing the flowers and vegetables.

Perhaps due to the easier access, entries were well up on previous years, and of excellent quality. Two new classes – “A collection of produce displayed in a trug” and the Fruit class were well supported, and the “Ugliest Vegetable” produced some very ugly specimens this year!

Our judges were unchanged, and we were delighted that Martyn & Val Davies (Dahlias), Jake Nicholson-Lailey, from Abundiflora florists in Glastonbury (Floral Art, Fuchsias and the Children’s sections), Ken Ellis (Vegetables), Bob Burns of Burns The Bread (Cakes) and Terry Fry (Chrysanthemums) were all keen to come back to judge the exhibits. They were impressed by the standard of the exhibits, and only just finished judging a few minutes before the Show opened to the public at 12 noon.

The major prize winners were:-

Dahlias – Mrs C. Tomkins (Bert Newton Challenge Cup, The Society’s Challenge Cup, Members’ Challenge Cup, J. Yelling Rose Bowl, NDS Silver Medal, Wheatley Trophy), R. Downting (A.E.Phillips Cup, NDS Bronze Medal) and Mrs M Hughes (Wheatley Novice Cup).

Chrysanthemums – J. Cockwill (Brooking Clark Challenge Cup, George Miller Challenge Cup, Gordon Richards Trophy, British Royal Legion Cup, Cyril & Richard Holland Trophy, , Hamblin Cup, NCS Silver Medal, NCS Bronze Medal, NCS Certificate of Merit), K. Warsham (Street Challenge Cup), J. Searle (Dorothy Talbot Cup), R. Fiander (Wheatley Novice Cup).

Vegetables – H. Godden (The Unity Club Cup, J Yelling Cup, Frank Ganfield Cup, Piper’s Inn Salad Bowl, NVS Medal for Best Exhibit), Mrs L. Driscoll (Derek Marsh Trophy) C. Driscoll (William Bentley Novice Cup).

Begonias – L. Earle (The G. Burge Cup)

Fuchsias – P.Baker (Members only Challenge Cup).

Floral Arrangement – Mrs Yvonne Carey (Anita Ruth Willmott Cup), Mrs K. Burleton (Society’s Challenge Cup), Mrs L. Driscoll (Novice Medal).

Children’s Medal – Alfie Hamlett

Walton Press Street Schools Cup – Year 6 & under - Elmhurst School.

Schools Design Cup – Year 6 & under - Elmhurst School.

The Colin Mundy Cup – for Best Exhibit in all Classes in the Show – Mr J. Cockwill

Cups & Trophies were presented by the joint Headteachers of Elmhurst Junior School, Tracy Edwards and Mike Lawrence. Elmhurst School has had a long association with our Society, always entering fantastic exhibits although the Annual Show takes place soon after the beginning of the Autumn Term. They are also successful most of the time, and won both schools’ classes this year.

We are grateful to all those involved with making the show a success, whether it be the setting up, running the various activities on the day, the sponsors, judges, presenter of cups & trophies, and of course, the exhibitors – without them, there wouldn’t be a show. We hope that all those who came in to view the show enjoyed their visit, and will return next year – perhaps also entering at least a novice class! Photos of the show will be added to the website shortly.

The Annual Show usually takes place on the second Saturday in September. The venue for next year’s Show will be discussed by the committee, who will be happy to receive feedback from those attending. Contact details on our website – www.streetcdvs.org.uk

The English Country Garden Festival was held in the Bishop's Palace, Wells on 9th, 10th and 11th June.   Street CDVS  had a stand at this Festival, manned by members.   An interesting and instructive new venture.

Annual Plant Sale: This took place in the Library Gardens on Saturday 6th May 2017, commencing at 8am.  Although we had a good selection of excellent plants for sale, this was not as successful as previous Plant Sales.   It was held a week earlier than usual, and somehow the entry about the Sale did not appear in the Central Somerset Gazette, which may partly account for the reduced sales.
 
Annual General Meeting: The AGM took place in the billiard room at the Unity Club on Tuesday 7th February.   Unfortunately the Pool room was already booked, this only becoming apparent shortly before the meeting.   The billiard room was adequate, but somewhat hidden through a door and down a corridor.  More apologies than usual were received for various reasons, and the numbers attending were lower than usual at about 20.
 
The minutes of the previous AGM were accepted.  The Chairman gave a report on the previous year and thanked all members of the committee for their invaluable contributions to running the Society.  The Treasurer, Pat Baker, gave his report, and issued copies of the accounts, which he expanded on.   Essentially they showed that the Society continues to be in a satisfactory financial position.  

After the break, we were treated to a magnificent demonstration of Floral Art by Jake Nicholson-Lailey, assisted by his colleague, James.   Jake owns and runs Abundiflora Florists in Glastonbury, and has impressive qualifications in his subject.   He also has access to flowers which he sources for his shop.   His demonstration consisted of a number of designs (seven I think I counted), including two with a Valentine’s Day theme.   He was able to produce these at a rate that left the members who know how difficult it is flabbergasted!    Jake donated the finished arrangements for prizes in the raffle – and these were rapidly snapped up.   Jake drew the tickets for the raffle.   A very popular demonstration – no doubt others will be regretting missing it.

THE ANNUAL SHOW 2016 took place in Crispin Hall, Street on Saturday 10th September. We were pleased to find that the lighting was much better this year – no need for torches when setting up exhibits the night before!  Further improvements to Crispin Hall are due to begin shortly, so we look forward to an even better setting for the Annual Show next year.

Entries were marginally down this year – more entries in the Floral Arrangement section and the cakes would be welcome. However, the vegetable section was exceptional this year.   The new classes added – “The Ugliest Vegetable” & “Fit for a Roast”  were not well supported – perhaps they were not known about this year.   We hope that these will be more popular next year for people who want to try entering a “less challenging” class.

Judges – We were delighted that Martyn & Val Davies came again to judge the Dahlia Section in spite of their busy schedule at this time of year.   They are always meticulous in judging the best exhibits.   The Floral Art, Fuchsias and the Children’s sections were again all judged by Jake Nicholson-Lailey, from Abundiflora florists in Glastonbury.   His comments and advice on the entries are always well received.  The vegetable section had a large entry with excellent quality – Harry Godden has some real competition this year.    Amazing leeks and carrots to mention only a few!   Thanks again to Ken Ellis who was our judge for the vegetable section again this year and to Bob Burns of Burns The Bread, who judged the cake section.   We had a new National Chrysanthemum Society (NCS) judge in the chrysanthemum section, Terry Fry, and we hope he will return next year.    He was impressed with the quality of the exhibits – the Best in Show being in the Chrysanthemum section this year.    The skill of all our judges is much appreciated and attracts entries of a high calibre.

The major prize winners were:-

Dahlias – R. Downting (Bert Newton Challenge Cup, The Society’s Challenge Cup, Members’ Challenge Cup, A.E.Phillips Cup, NDS Silver Medal, Hamblin Cup), Mrs C. Tomkins (J. Yelling Rose Bowl, NDS Bronze Medal) and L. Fear (Wheatley Novice Cup).

Chrysanthemums – J. Cockwill (Brooking Clark Challenge Cup, , Gordon Richards Trophy, British Royal Legion Cup, Cyril & Richard Holland Trophy, Dorothy Talbot Cup, NCS Silver Medal, NCS Bronze Medal, NCS Certificate of Merit), M. Sheppard (Street Challenge Cup), J. Collins (George Miller Challenge Cup).

Vegetables – H. Godden (The Unity Club Cup,  J Yelling Cup, Frank Ganfield Cup, Piper’s Inn Salad Bowl, NVS Medal for Best Exhibit), R.Loader (Derek Marsh Trophy).

Fuchsias – R. Loader (Fuchsia Cup).

Floral Arrangement – Mrs Yvonne Carey (Anita Ruth Willmott Cup, Society’s Challenge Cup), Mrs S. Hyde (Novice Medal)

Children’s Medal – Chloe Lane

Walton Press Street Schools Cup – Year 6 & under - Elmhurst School

Schools Design Cup – Year 6 & under - Elmhurst School, Year 2 & under – Hindhayes School

The Colin Mundy Cup – for Best Exhibit in all Classes in the Show – Mr J. Cockwill

The Cups & Trophies were presented by Mr Philip Eavis of Living homes, with the aid of his wife, Gill.   Philip has been a supporter of the Society for many years, and is a keen gardener.

We are grateful to all those involved with making the show a success, whether it be the setting up, running the various activities on the day, the sponsors, judges, presenter of cups & trophies, and of course, the exhibitors – without them, there wouldn’t be a show.   We hope that all those who came in to view the show enjoyed their visit, and will return next year – perhaps also entering at least a novice class!  

Annual Plant Sale: This was held in the library gardens, Leigh Road, Street on Saturday 14th May 2016. 

The latest Newsletter (Winter 2016) is now available below.

April 2016:  Five years after this website become live, we now have a Facebook entry. Go to www.facebook.com/streetcdvs/

Annual General Meeting 2016 - The AGM took place in the pool room at the Unity Club on Tuesday 9th February and was well attended in spite of the inclement weather.    Early arrivals arrived before the rain, sleet, hail and snow descended on us.   The sound of the rain and hail on the skylights was present through much of the evening, although it was again dry when the meeting finished. Communication was better this year, and approx. 30 people attended.

The minutes of the previous AGM were accepted, and it was noted that following Chris Smith’s talk last year on “The Search for Gold”, Chris went on to be awarded gold at Chelsea Flower Show.   The Chairman gave a report on the successes of the last year and thanked all members of the committee for their invaluable contributions to running the Society.  The Treasurer, Pat Baker, gave his report, and issued copies of the accounts, which he expanded on.   Essentially they showed that the Society continues to be in a satisfactory financial position.  

Elections were held and the new officers and committee are as follows: -

President:  Ken C. Dunthorn

Chairman:  John Merrick (Avalon House, Lower Godney, Wells BA5 1RZ)

Vice Chairman:  Jim Searle

Correspondence Secretary:  Mrs Lin Driscoll

Minutes Secretary:  Mrs Mary Whitaker

Entries Secretary:  Pat Baker

Membership Secretary:  Pat Baker

Treasurer:  Pat Baker (2 Prospect Close, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5YD)

Show Manager:  Gordon West

Press Officer:  Ruth Hamlett

Committee:  John Baker, Chris Bentley, Paul Boncey, Mrs Kay Burleton, Colin Driscoll, Sonny Dunthorn, Barrie Lovelace, Mrs Sandra Lovelace, Tony Nicholls, Les Taylor, Terry Vernoum, Kate Wilson Plus Officers

Again, the officers are unchanged, but we have a new committee member – Kate Wilson.   She is very enthusiastic, and, apart from bringing new ideas to the committee, her presence will also reduce the average age of the committee considerably!

Thanks to Pat Baker for organising the raffle and to Gordon West for arranging the refreshments.

After the break, Mike Shepherd gave a fascinating talk on “Late Flowering Chrysanthemums”, with slides showing the dedication required to exhibit winning blooms at national level.   Mike has been a member of the Society for many years, and is also heavily involved with the NCS Western Group.   Many questions were asked and much advice given by Mike.