Topsham Allotments and Gardens Society
TAGS ANNUAL SHOW 2026
About the Show
The Annual Topsham Flower and Vegetable Show was a friendly competition in garden/allotment and kitchen produce and also garden-related photography and poetry.
“Not only were the entries of a high quality,” remarked one of the judges at the Annual Show, “but there was lots of fun!” Here in the photos are just three examples.
On the previous evening this yellow rose was a sure prize-winner …… The next morning all that was left was a chuckle for the judge and visitors.
We were not successful in attracting entries for the special children’s Classes, except for these plant characters entered by someone in her nineties who declared that she was in her second childhood.
In the Show Programme we had tried to make the process, rules and guidance clearer, particularly to newcomers. At least one person did read the rules very carefully. He spotted our mistake which asked for a 35 mm cake rather than a 35 cm one! For several of us this entry was the unofficial star of the Class.
We had had a number of aims. One was to encourage more new competitors. A show of hands on the day and our records indicate that this was indeed the case. We hope this will be the same next year and beyond.
Due to the early, unusually hot and dry summer we had feared that the number of competitors, entries and visitors would be down on previous years. We were therefore pleased that that was not really the case. We plan to consult TAGS members and others for their views on whether we should change the date of the Show next year or the following one, as an experiment. We will also be seeking views and suggestions generally and specifically for new Classes and the use of email to send in entries.
More than sixty volunteers gave their time, skill and expertise in order to complete the entire jigsaw of a successfully run Show. Some contributed towards the preparation, and others did so on the day. Some gave a couple of hours or so whilst others gave many, many more. If you are interested in joining us next year do contact us on the email address below.
“I’m only here for the tea.” As always, the home made donated cakes, flapjacks, tray bakes and many more were greatly enjoyed. Given that the Show is free to enter and to visit, the refreshments and the raffle serve as the vital means of funding the event.
Rosie Hanvey Show Secretary tagsshow2@gmail.com
