We were blessed once again with fine sunny weather for the annual show at our usual venue St. Mary's Catholic primary school in Eltham.

It was great to see such a good turn out from friends, family and other interested locals to see the various exhibits.

As ever the growing season this year was challenging but for different reasons from last years heatwave and drought. A cold wet spring was followed by the brief appearance of summer before July brought cool and wet, windy conditions which did not disappear until well into August. All of that not withstanding it was most encouraging to see a significant increase in the total number of exhibits compared to last year to over 220, and several new exhibitors amongst the die hard regulars.

Overall the quality of exhibits was very good with a stand out performance on vegetables from Clive Bennett, with yet another enormous marrow amongst many other prize winners. On flowers Dora Lemon excelled not for the first time, and there were also some super exhibits in the fruit, domestic and photography classes. One new vegetable  class this year which was particularly well supported was who could grow the biggest crop from one seed potato provided by us in  the spring. This years winner was Greg Hammond who managed a fabulous 8lbs 14oz (4.02 Kg). 

Thanks are due to many people starting with everyone who entered exhibits followed by the committee members of the society who helped organise the show, and in particular to Mike Hill, our treasurer and show secretary. We must also thank the Headteacher at St. Mary's Mr Sims for allowing us to use the school hall and car park and to the other school staff who assisted us on the day. Mention must also be made of premises manager Linda Kingdon who was not able to be present through illness for the first time in many years and we would like to wish her well and look forward to seeing her next year.

Our two judges, Derek Marles and Annabel Parsons once again did sterling work after the exhibits had been staged in the morning, and finally special thanks must be given to the refreshments team (some pictured above) who baked cakes and served teas and cake all afternoon, without which very few of us would be able to function.

We hope everyone enjoyed themselves on a sunny September day and we look forward to doing it all over again on Saturday September 7th 2024.

The show took place on another warm and humid day after what was the hottest and driest growing season most exhibitors could remember. As a result of the extreme weather conditions we felt fortunate to have 163 exhibits from 19 exhibitors, down around 20% on the previous year. Particularly badly affected were the number of floral exhibits though overall the quality of all exhibits was very good and the large number of show visitors seemed to agree.

Special thanks need to go to Mike Hill, the show secretary, Linda the premises manager from the school, our two judges, Annabel and Derek, and all of the committee members and other volunteers who helped out on the day.

The 2022 awards went to the following members of the society:

The 68th Annual Show took place on Saturday 4th September a year late due to the Covid 19 pandemic. We were concerned that having missed a year for the first time in our history that some exhibitors might have decided not to enter this year but those fears were unfounded. We had 200 entries from 21 exhibitors which was similar to the show in 2019 and the largest turn out of visitors to see the show for many years which was particularly pleasing.

It has been a difficult and challenging year for growing many crops and flowers, with abnormally cold weather for much of the spring, periods of extended dry and then humid and wet conditions in early summer, and finally below average temperatures and sunshine hours through much of August. There were far fewer entries of tomatoes and potatoes this year due to the prevalence of blight which affected nearly everyone.

However the overall standard of fruit, vegetables, flowers and domestic entries was very high with some particularly notable items entered such as this splendid marrow grown by Clive Bennett. It was also encouraging to see a new innovation for this year which was an inter society trophy competition with our friends at Mottingham Horticultural Society which we hope will become an annual feature.

Photos of the show can be found on the Gallery page

2021 Cup Winners

The committee would like to thank all of those exhibitors and visitors who made the afternoon such an enjoyable experience and in particular thank Mike Hill, the show secretary who organised the event so well yet again, and Derek Marles and Annabel Parsons the two judges. We are also grateful to all the other volunteers from the society who gave up their time to make and serve refreshments, set up the hall and clear it afterwards, and help publicise the event.  Finally we must thank Linda the caretaker at St. Mary's school for making us so welcome once again.

The date for the 69th annual show in our 70th anniversary year will be posted here later this autumn once arrangements have been finalised. We hope to see you all again next year.

The 67th annual show was blessed by glorious late summer weather, if only the whole growing season had been the same! Despite the challenging growing conditions in 2019 there was a high standard across all classes, and several quite exceptional entries from a number of our members. Particular mention should be made of John King and Clive Bennett for their stunning vegetable entries and Greg Hammond for his wide range of superb exhibits.

The show along with refreshments was much enjoyed by members and visitors alike. Our local MP Clive Efford was among those who attended and the afternoon was rounded off by the prize giving and raffle which was conducted by our guest of honour, Andrew Martinovs, manager of Thomsons garden centre Shooters Hill.

The committee would like to thank everyone who entered and attended, all those who helped organise and set the show up, the refreshment crew and cake bakers, the judges, Linda from St. Mary's and our guest of honour. In particular thanks must go to Mike Hill our show secretary for ensuring everything was in place for another succesful show. 

The number of exhibits were slightly down on last year at 212 (242 in 2018)

Number of Exhibitors were 21 (23 in2018)

2019 Cup Winners

Gordon Mole Cup             John King

Alderwood Cup                 John King

Lovell Cup                          John King

Merlewood Cup                John King

Society Challenge Cup     Clive Bennett

Banksian Medal                Clive Bennett

Eltham Heights Cup          Greg Hammond

Fred Stone Memorial Cup  Greg Hammond

Ernie Knott Cup                  June Brown

Lemonwell Cup                  Harry Whitehead

Easigro Cup                         Stewart Walker

Jane Barnes Memorial Cup  Stewart Walker

J Martin Cup                       Mike Hill/ Barbara & Tony Crowe

Consitt Shield                      Mike Hill

Pippenhall Cup                      Bernice Barnett

Scarecrow Certificate         Iris Griffin  

We hope to see everyone in 2020 for the 68th show. Provisional date is Saturday 12th September.

Despite the cold wet spring followed by the hottest summer on record 23 of our members managed to enter 240 exhibits in the 2018 show.

New flower and vegetable judge, Peter Tate and domestic classes judge Annabel Parsons worked their way through the entries and made their decisions before exibitors and guests were allowed back into the hall at 3pm to see who had won. A speech was given, then prizes were awarded by our special guest Tom Jackson who hails from Eltham but who is now one of the team that look after Hidcote Manor garden, one of the National Trusts finest in many peoples opinion.

The committee would like to especially thank Mike Hill, our show secretary for all of his hard work, as well as our two judges, Peter and Annabel, speaker Tom Jackson and the caretaker of St. Mary's school Linda. We should also like to thank all of those members, relatives and friends who helped set up, clear down, sell raffle tickets and serve refreshments during the afternoon. 

We look forward to seeing you all again for the 67th annual show on Saturday 14th September 2019 and we can only hope the growing season is a little less extreme than it was in 2018.

The roll of honour for 2018:

Greg Hammond.....Gordon Mole Cup, Eltham Heights Cup, Merlewood Cup, Fred Stone Memorial Cup

John King...............Society Challenge Cup,  Lovell Cup

Dora Lemon...........Alderwood Cup, J Martin Cup, Consitt Shield, Ernie Knott Cup

Bernice Barnett......Banksian Medal, Pipenhall Cup

Mr & Mrs Fordham..Lemonwell Cup

Clive Bennett/Linda & Alistair McMeckan joint winners Easigro Cup

The 64th annual show took place at St Mary's School Eltham and after  a slow start we had an excellent turnout from both regular and new exhibitors and guests.

The committee would like to thank all exhibitors for their perseverance in a difficult growing season, all the visitors to the show, the volunteers who helped set it up, organise refreshments and the raffle, the three judges, Gillian, Annabel, and Jim, and finally Mike Hill the show secretary without whose efforts there would be no show.

We would also like to thank Mark Wall of the local and excellent SE9 magazine for  presenting the prizes.

This was the first year that a new Trophy, the Jane Barnes Memorial Cup was presented to remember the life of one of our committee members whose life was cut tragically short in 2015.

A full list of trophy winners is shown below but particular mention must go to Clive Bennett for best vegetable entry for his amazing parsnips and for winning the Banksian Medal. Frederik Botha, a new entrant to the show and the first recipient of the Jane Barnes Memorial Cup, and David Middleton for the largest pumpkin. Photos of the event and prize giving can be found here

2016 Trophy and Medal Winners

Jane Barnes Memorial Cup                Frederik Botha

Gordon Mole Cup                                Clive Bennett/Len Barnes

Banksian Medal                                    Clive Bennett

Alderwood Cup                                     Greg Hammond

Society Challenge Cup                         Clive Bennett

Merlewood Cup                                    Greg Hammond

Consitt Shield                                        Mike Hill

J Martin Cup                                          Dora Lemon

Ernie Knott Memorial Cup                  Dora Lemon

Eltham Heights Cup                              Julie Coleclough

Lovell Cup                                              Clive Bennett

Pippenhall Cup                                     Bernice Barnett

In total there were 257 exhibits from 27 entrants (last year 328 from 31 entrants) a result of the difficult growing season.

The 65th Annual Show will be held at the same venue on Saturday 9th September 2017 - we look forward to seeing you there.

The show was held on Saturday 12^th September and once again the weather was kind to us which helped us have yet another excellent turnout from members of the society and the general public.

There were 31 entrants with 328 exhibits. Last year, which was a record year for recent times, there were 31 entrants and 329 exhibits so we almost had another record, despite missing a number of society members who were on holiday at just the wrong time! Three of the exhibitors were new to the show, which was most encouraging.

This was the first show for over 30 years when we did not benefit from the presence of one of our longest serving members, Gordon Mole, who sadly passed away earlier this year. As a mark of respect to Gordon, and to Jane Barnes, another committee member who we lost during 2015, a minute’s silence was held before the prize giving commenced at 4.30pm.

Our guest this year was Jim Buttress, one of the judge’s of BBC TV’s ‘Great Allotment Challenge’ and ex Royal Parks superintendent.

Jim gave a short and entertaining speech concentrating on work being carried out to promote horticulture in schools and then gave out the various prizes.

The committee would like to thank Jim, the three judges, Gillian, Annabel and Gerry, as well as all of the volunteers who helped make the show such a success. Finally thanks must go to Mike Hill the show secretary.

Awards were:

Banksian medal                Beryl Barnett

Alderwood cup                 Greg Hammond (new to the show)

Society Challenge Cup     Clive Bennett

Merlewood Cup                Greg Hammond

Consitt Shield                     Beryl Barnett

J Martin Cup                       Beryl Barnett

Ernie Knott Memorial Cup   Beryl Barnett

Lovell Cup                           Clive Bennett

Pippenhall Cup                   Beryl Barnett

Eltham Heights Cup           Harry Whitehead

Gordon Mole Cup              Len Barnes for his runner beans

Easigrow Cup                      Jointly Mike Hill and Tony and Barbara Crowe

Additional prizes were awarded to Frank Deary (Largest Marrow) and Tony Crowe (Largest Pumpkin)

The 62nd annual show took place at St Marys school in Eltham on a sunny afternoon in mid September  and had a record number of entries from 30 exhibitors. The doors opened at 3pm and over a hundred visitors inspected the various flower, fruit, vegetable and domestic exhibits before taking advantage of home made tea and cake, and buying the locally produced artisan honey and of course plants.

At 4.30pm the prize giving took place and the various trophies were awarded for another year. It was good to see new faces entering and winning!

The committee of the society would like to thank everyone who attended, all of those who helped organise and run the show, the three judges Gillian, Annabel and Gerry and especially Mike Hill, the show secretary, for making the occasion such a success.

We hope to see you all next year for the 63rd show which will take place on Saturday September 12th 2015.

The 2013 annual show took place on a rainy and overcast Saturday in mid September. Although the weather was not as kind as it had been in recent years, everything else about the 61st show exceeded expectations with the highest number of entries, from more exhibitors, many of whom were new, than had been seen for many a year.

The day started at 9am when exhibitors started to arrive with their various entries and then spent much of the morning setting them up and applying the finishing touches to make them as appealing as possible to the judges. Just before midday the hall was cleared to allow the three judges supported by the stewards to go through the exhibits and choose winners and runners up in all of the various categories.

At 3pm the show was re-opened to exhibitors and the general public were admitted to see who had triumphed this year. For the next 90 minutes the hall was filled and there was much chatter and debate over the decisions the judges had made. The refreshment stall was kept especially busy during this time serving tea, home made cake and other refreshments, and at the same time many raffle tickets were sold by our own super sales person Iris Griffin.

Just after 4.30 pm the hall was called to order by the show secretary Mike Hill so that the process of giving out the prizes could begin. We were especially pleased to welcome Clive Efford, the local member of parliament for Eltham, and sometime plotholder at Pippenhall allotments, to present the prizes this year. It was very pleasing to see a mix of both familiar and new faces receiving their prizes from Clive.

Frank Deary lost his champion marrow grower status to Gordon Mole, one of the longest standing and most experienced tenants at Pippenhall allotments with 34 growing seasons under his belt, but Frank was not to be beaten and walked away with the largest Pumpkin prize for 2013. A list of all cup and medal wiiners for 2013 can be found at the end of this report.

After the prize giving the raffle was drawn, a number of items were auctioned off, and the afternoon came to a closearound 5.30pm.

For a pictorial story of the show please click here.

The EAHGS committe would like to thank all of those who helped to publicise and put the show on and all visitors who came along to have a look, and hopefully decide to enter something themselves next year.

Particular thanks must go to the following , Mike Hill the show secretary for all of his hard work before and during the show; all of the committee members who helped set everything up on Friday evening and Saturday morning; Roger Brown for manning the door and collecting subscriptions; Pat and David Middleton for moving equipment and shop stock from Pippenhall to the school hall; Iris Griffin for record raffle ticket sales; Margaret Mattinson, Barbara Crowe and all of their helpers who provided the refreshments; the three judges, Annabel Parsons, Gerry Worf and Jillian Smith; and finally St.Mary's school and their caretaker, Lyn, for making the hall available to us, we wish them well with their harvest festival.

We look forward to seeing everyone at the 62nd show in September 2014.

2013 Cup and Medal Winners

Banksian medal: Gordon Mole & Lorraine Jones

Alderwood cup: Beryl Barnett

Society Challenge cup: Gordon Mole & Lorraine Jones

Merlewood cup: Clive Bennett

Consitt Shield: Beryl Barnett

J Martin cup: Beryl Barnett

Ernie Knott Memorial Cup: Beryl Barnett

Lovell Cup: Clive Bennett

Easigrow Cup: Mike Hill

Pippenhall cup: Beryl Barnett

Eltham Heights cup: Len Lovelock

Our 61st show will take place on Saturday 14th September at St.Mary's RC school in Glenure Road, Eltham. The show secretary is Mike Hill and his assistant is Graham Farrant. They can be contacted by clicking here . A full schedule is now available as a hardcopy from the allotment shop or as a download from this site by clicking here. Entries for the show close on Wednesday September 11th. You can also download a colour A4 flyer (click here) and if you can persuade a local shop, doctors surgery or library to put one up we would be most grateful. If you don't have a colour printer but would still like to help you can pick a colour poster (A4 or A3) up from the Pippenhall shop on a Sunday morning.

As usual exhibit staging will take place in the morning from 9.30am until 11.55am. The hall will then close while judging takes place and the show will open to exhibitors and members of the public at 3pm. There is a modest entry charge of 50p for those not exhibiting. Refreshments will be available, along with a selection of plants to buy, so make sure you bring wallets and purses!

We are very pleased to announce that Clive Efford the local MP, and ex-plotholder at Pippenhall allotments has agreed to present the prizes at this years show at 4.30pm onwards.

In response to requests we have a new class for children under 10 this year which is to plant a garden in a standard size seed tray and we do hope that as many of your children, and grandchildren can be encouraged to enter and perhaps decide that gardening can be fun.

Entry forms and moneys need to be submitted by Wednesday 11th September 2013 at the latest. For more details on how to do this please see the show schedule which can be downloaded by clicking here

Whether you are a budding Mary Berry, Alan Titchmarsh or Monty Don we would love to see you enter something at this years show. If you have never shown before why not try in 2013? It is also a great opportunity to meet other members and tenants at Pippenhall allotments.

If you are growing vegetables to enter where more than one is required to form an entry probably the most important element is having each vegetable an even and uniform size. You can enter various cut flowers, potted plants, vegetables, preserves and new for 2013 6 cup cakes decorated with a horticultural theme or 6 shortbread biscuits. More details of all of the classes available to enter are detailed in the downloadable schedule. A good vegetable for show beginners to start with is a marrow- just leave one on the plant and let it grow as big as possible, and only cut it the day before the show. You could be the next champion marrow grower!

Schedules have now been posted to all society members and are available to download from the link or collect from the shop on Sunday mornings.

The 60th annual show took place on a glorious late summers afternoon at St. Mary's School in Eltham and it was encouraging to see so many entries this year bearing in mind the very poor growing conditions we have all experienced this summer. A number of regular exhibitors were missing for various reasons beyond their control including a double puncture suffered by the Chairman, Charles Strangwige, on his way to the venue. However we were very pleased to see first time entries from a number of members, who mostly are plotholders at Pippenhall and we do hope that will encourage more to try showing next year.

Once the exhibitors had completed the staging of their entries just before midday, the three judges got to work to decide who the prize winners would be this year.

At 3pm the hall was opened to exhibitors and the public alike so they could then see who had triumphed. Many members of the society were present and one exhibitor, Clive Bennett came along in his 'uniform' as the Pearly King of Woolwich, and this certainly added an extra sparkle to the afternoon.

As the weather was so good many visitors took advantage of the tea and home made cake from the refreshment counter and went outside to enjoy the warm sunny weather. Others were tempted by the plants and local honey produced by our treasurer, Mike Hill, which were on sale through the afternoon.

4.15pm quickly came and everyone gathered back in the main hall for the prize giving which was announced by Mike Hill with prizes being presented by Charles Strangwige to mark his 60 years of support for the society.

The raffle was then drawn and Finn Dowling, the son of one of the Pippenhall allotment plotholders, assisted Charles by drawing the winning tickets before society secretary Richard Mattinson, presented Charles with a gift to thank him for his dedicated support for the society since he helped found it in 1952. Some exhibitors then collected their entries to take home, whilst others were sold off by Iris Griffin, before the event came to a close for another year.

We are all looking forward to next years event already, and the 61st show is confirmed for Saturday the 14th September 2013.

See you all there!

The committee of the EAHGS would like to thank all who helped make our Diamond aniversary show on Saturday 8th September such a success, including every one of the 140 plus visitors who came along on one of the warmest afternoons of 2012.

Despite the very difficult growing conditions experienced this year we had a very good entry in all classes and although flowers were down on last year, domestic entries were up, so thank you to all of our exhibitors for supporting us once again.

An especial thanks must go to the judges, Annabel Parsons, Gerry Worf, and Jillian Smith, who did such a good job at very short notice, as our ex- show secretary apparently forgot to book them.

Also to everyone who helped set the event up on Friday evening and Saturday morning, including Pat and David Middleton who transported a range of goods from our shop up to St. Mary's in their MPV, and manned the stall all afternoon.

Thanks also to Iris Griffin who not only baked this fabulous cake for the raffle but who also sold out of raffle tickets, which was a first!

Final thanks must go to St. Mary's school and their caretaker, Lyn, for letting us use their hall and kitchen once again for the event, and we wish them well for their forthcoming harvest festival.

2012 Champion Marrow grower, Frank Deary from Pippenhall allotments

2012 Alderwood Cup winner, Mike Hill