The Rye Flower and Veg Show 2024 was a resounding success.
Some say that the recent Rye Flower and Veg Show was our best yet. It was certainly very well attended on Saturday afternoon. Hundreds of entries were on display at the community centre featuring the best from Rye’s vegetable gardens and allotments. Even with the terrible start to the growing season with wet weather and low temperatures the tomato entries were better than ever along with the runner beans and giant squash.
It was also an excellent year for multi-coloured dahlias which made a stunning display along with vases packed with garden flowers and the perfume of roses scenting the air.
Home-baked cakes, bread and brownies were lined up alongside a wonderful range of homemade chutney, jam and marmalade.
The photographic entries were at record level too with the various titles (A Harvest, A Celebration, Rye’s Water, An Insect and A Film Title) equally well subscribed with some very talented images.
The handicrafts were also popular and all of the entries were outstanding and really very clever. There’s an awful lot of talent in Rye.
As organisers, we are incredibly grateful to our sponsors who are listed below and on our website and to the advertisers who support our schedule and also to those who volunteer to help on the day by setting everything up, stewarding and clearing up afterwards.
We were also very happy to welcome Rye’s mayor, Andy Stuart and his wife mayoress Niki Stuart along with Rye’s joyful town crier Paul Goring. Andy did a sterling job presenting all the certificates, cups and prizes, whilst Paul certainly made sure those passing the hall were in no doubt what was happening in the community centre.
But equally important to us are the competitors, without whom the show could not take place. We know from personal experience how much hard work goes into growing wonderful flowers, fruit and vegetables and we are delighted that you bring them along to share. We were delighted that Liz Bamji was one of front-runners this year and scooped several prizes including overall show winner. Congratulations Liz!
If you were inspired by this year’s show keep an eye on our website here for details of next year’s event. We are always looking for anyone who might like to help with future shows. You can contact us via the website.
Thanks once again
Lorna, Helena & Shelley
Next year’s show will take place on Saturday, August 30 2025
RESULTS
Best entry in Fruit and Veg Class, Tate Trophy – Nigel Jennings
The RHS Banksian Medal – Sara Landers
The Turk Trophy sponsored by Rye Allotments – Liz Bamji
Veg and fruit classes sponsored by Sussex Foundation – Sara Landers
Flowers and foliage classes sponsored by Café des Fleurs – Liz Bamji
Cookery sponsored by Rush Witt & Wilson – Shelley Gibbon
Photography sponsored by Rye Town Council – Caroline Drummond
Handicraft sponsored by Ethel Loves Me – KT Bruce
A heritage vegetable sponsored by Rye Heritage Centre – Helena Hudd
Longest carrot (in memory of Bill White) – Dan Johnson
Fullerton Challenge Bowl for roses – Lorna Hall
Environmental collage sponsored by Rye News – KT Bruce
Small decorative basket sponsored by Clive Sawyer – Lorna Hall
Film Title public vote sponsored by Clive Sawyer – Richard Gibbon
Most fragrant rose public vote – Liz Bamji
Best overall entry in the show – the Red Dragon tomatoes – Nigel Jennings
Heaviest Squash at 22.6kg – Nigel Jennings
Funniest shape vegetable – Elsie Gibbon
Rye’s Water photo sponsored by Rock Channel Marine – Fiona Lepine
Overall show winner sponsored by Rye Garden Centre – Liz Bamji
Well done everyone!
Image Credits: Kt bruce , Shelley Gibbon , Lorna Hall .
Love the picture of the Globe artichoke with a face. Makes me smile. Brilliant idea.
Captures the essence of the show, high standards of all the entries in which ever class.
The show is one of fun and good will of all the people who entre to make the afternoon a success. Congratulations to those who were awarded 1st,2nd,3rd places. But all entries were a delight to view. The baking and preserving section all looked tempting…