The 99th Calverley Show, which was held virtually because of the pandemic, attracted more than 600 entries, including two from Australia – and they won! writes Anne Akers.
Calverley Horticultural Society took an early decision to hold its event virtually when lockdown was announced.
One of the society’s members is a computer programmer, so he set to work designing a website. The schedule was slimmed down from more than 100 classes to 38, with entrants submitting photos of everything from cabbages bigger than their heads to flowers and decorated cakes.
Extra classes were added so people could show their gardens, in fact they attracted the most entries. There was also a ‘what, no flour?’ lockdown cake as many bakers were unable to buy flour early on in lockdown.
Former CHS President Pat Kelly submitted entries in the art classes on behalf of his two granddaughters who live in Australia.
A drawing of chimp eyes won 14-year-old Jemima first prize and the President’s Junior Cup for best children’s exhibit. Her 11-year-old sister Phoebe came first in the under-12s class with her drawing of a VW Camper Van.
Proud granddad Pat claimed the trophy for Jemima and while that will have to stay in Calverley, there’s a couple of certificates on their way to them. The sisters’ dad Anthony was also a prizewinner at the show when he was a lad!
Show Secretary Bev Smith said they were delighted with the response.
“We really didn’t know if people would enter a virtual show, but in the end, it proved very popular,” she said.
Trophy winners were invited to a pop-up show at the village allotments, presented by CHS Secretary Cllr Andrew Carter.
Bev said they were hoping next year’s event, the 100th show, would be back in the Methodist Hall, but that there may still be virtual classes for people to show off their gardens.
