March 2021
In view of the ongoing pandemic and the Government’s latest roadmap out of lockdown, we have had to cancel our popular Easter children’s event and defer our Anniversary Fete to a later date. As it stands, we plan to hold the Fete on Sunday 27th June, which is after the 21st June tentative deadline when all restrictions on social mixing will be lifted. However, we are all aware that the situation can change quickly, so please look out for further announcements nearer the time.
We were very pleased to re-open the Garden to visitors in February. Current rules allow for households and support ‘bubbles’, and for two people from different households to meet outdoors for recreation and exercise. From 29th March, the ‘rule of six’ will apply again, allowing more people to meet up outdoors, with further restrictions easing after 12th April and again from 17th May. Confused? If so, go to the Government’s website to see exactly what is and isn’t allowed.
Back in the garden there are lots of signs of spring. Yellow brimstone butterflies and early bumblebees are active on warm days. Snowdrops and aconites have gone over but the crocuses are hanging on and open up fully when the sun shines. Early daffodils started to flower in March and will be at their peak in April, and later on early tulips and crown imperial lilies will appear. There is still a surprising amount of spring blossom to appreciate – and for our honey bees and other pollinators to feed on – including Cornus mas, shrub honeysuckles and Mahonias. Damson trees and ornamental cherries are starting to show their pink and white flowers, giving a tantalising glimpse of the ‘main event’ when the apple blossom comes out in April and May. Can’t wait!
We’ve noticed a lot of ladybirds emerging from their winter hibernation in recent days – mostly seven-spotted ones. Are we in for a significant ‘ladybird year’ in 2021? The last was in 2018 when huge numbers were seen pupating on tree trunks in the garden during very hot summer weather. Another interesting insect to look out for now is the hairy-footed flower-bee. This species emerges very early in the year, flying low over the ground to feed on spring flowers such as early-flowering borage, Pulmonaria and yellow archangel. They are difficult to observe, restless and fast-flying, but you might be lucky enough to spot one. Ask one of our volunteers for help.
We will be putting up scaffolding on the front and side of the Challis house for some essential maintenance work. Unfortunately, this hampers progress on planting up the front garden, but we will continue to do what we can. At least, it will give us more time to select and source the key plants needed. Gardening cannot be rushed – this is no television makeover job à la Titchmarsh!
There are often surprises in the Challis world. Recently, our builders found an old bottle under the floorboards of one of our properties. It is in remarkably good condition and cleaned up well. The two labels are clearly legible, one with a date of 1862. It is not clear this was the date the bottle was made but it must be from around that time. This bottle of blackcurrant wine was made by Hill, Evans & Co., Worcester and bottled by Robert Waters. The label on the reverse of the bottle makes interesting reading:
INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION
London 1862
Extract from the “STANDARD” of Nov. 1st
“In the cursory notices we have from time to time given of Class 2, which embraces chemical and pharmaceutical processes, we have omitted to mention WATERS’ QUININE WINE. We are all the more sorry for this because we can bear personal testimony of its value as a tonic, to the innocence of its composition, and of the pleasantness of its taste. Quinine in any form is apt to induce nausea and headache; in the shape of the Quinine Wine of Mr. Robert Waters without its sickening tendencies. Again, Quinine is usually dissolved in a powerful acid, which adds considerably to the disagreeableness of its taste. We do not know the process of Mr. Waters, but we do know that there is apparently no more acid in this Quinine Wine that there is in ordinary sherry bitters, and that it is equally palatable and far more medicinal.”
Well, you don’t see testimonials like that nowadays! Those of us that have taken quinine medication for malaria or tasted quinine wine can identify with the author’s sentiments.
We have started to produce a monthly newsletter, to inform visitors and the general public about what’s happening in the Challis Trust, with what to look for in the garden and any recent news. Get your copy from the garden or the Green Weigh shop or find it on local Facebook pages.
Mike Redshaw
Published in Sawston Scene, April–May 2021
Read MoreChallis Horticultural Show & Fete: Saturday 3rd September, 2pm to 4.30pm
The 2022 show starts at 2pm.
Presentation of trophies & auction of exhibits at 3.30pm
Admission: £1 for Adults including Exhibitors. Children – free
The 2022 Challis Hort Show Entry Form
Staging of exhibits 9am to 10.45am, judging 11am, public admission 2pm. Presentation of trophies at 3.30pm, followed immediately by an auction of exhibits.
- Open to all.
- No fees to enter classes.
- Open classes (excluding children’s classes) are limited to two entries per exhibitor in any class, but only one will be considered for a first, second or third place.
- All entries must be made on an official form and returned by
Thursday 1st September to the Challis Garden, to 68 High Street, Sawston, or at this website.
LATE ENTRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED - Entries that have previously been in the show will not be accepted.
- Staging from 9am to 10.45am. Judging from 11am. Public admission from 2pm. Presentation of trophies at 3.30pm, followed immediately by an auction of exhibits.
- No exhibit to be removed before 4pm.
- Three points to be awarded to the winner in each class, two to the second and one to the third
- All trophies must be left for engraving.
TROPHIES
The Garden News Trophy for the best exhibit in Classes 1 to 21
The Trustees’ Trophy for the highest number of points in Classes 1 to 21
The Frank Matthews Trophy for the best exhibit in the Domestic Classes
The Mary Challis Trophy for the Best Floral exhibit
The Women’s Institute Trophy for the best exhibit in the Handicraft Classes
The Sue Reeve Trophy for the best exhibit in classes for children who are 8 to 12
The John Falkner Trophy for the best exhibit in classes for children of 7 and under
The Chairman’s Trophy for the family winning the highest number of points in the show
The Norman Carver Trophy for the best exhibit in the entire show
CLASSES
VEGETABLES AND FRUIT
All entries must have been grown by the exhibitor
1. 5 white potatoes
2. 5 coloured potatoes
3. 5 onions with necks tied and 2cm of root attached
4. 8 shallots with necks tied and 2cm of root attached
5. 5 beetroots with necks cut at about 5cm and roots attached
6. 5 runner beans
7. 5 French beans
8. 5 carrots with foliage trimmed
9. an exhibit of any other vegetable
10. 5 tomatoes with short stems
11. a truss of miniature tomatoes of any variety
12. 1 cucumber
13 1 head of lettuce
14. 5 cooking apples
15. 5 dessert apples
16. a dish of stone fruit
17. a dish of soft fruit
18. an exhibit of any other fruit
19. a vegetable marrow for weight
20. the longest runner bean
21. a presentation of herbs
FLOWERS
22. a miniature arrangement of flowers no taller or wider than 6 inches
23. a vase of annual flowers
24. 5 stems of flowers, any variety
25. a single rose bloom
26. a single bloom of any flower other than a rose
27. a green arrangement
28. a buttonhole or corsage for a wedding
29. a flowering pot plant
30. a foliage pot plant
DOMESTIC CLASSES
Jars for classes 31 to 34 should be clear 1lb jars with new lids, labelled with the type of preserve and full date of making, with no commercial labels attached.
31. 1 jar of jam made with soft fruit
32. 1 jar of jam made with stone fruit
33. 1 jar of marmalade
34. 1 jar of chutney or relish
35. 1 fruit cake – set recipe (appended)
36. 1 decorated celebration sponge cake – any recipe
37. 3 fruit scones
38. 3 chocolate brownies
39. 3 cinnamon buns – set recipe (appended)
40. a loaf of bread of any recipe or shape
41. a 1lb jar of clear honey
42. 3 eggs, any colour
HANDICRAFTS
All entries must have been made within the last twelve months
43. a hand-knitted garment
44. a machine-knitted garment
45. a crocheted item
46. an item of decorative cross-stitch needlework
47. any other hand-embroidered item (not cross-stitch)
48. a home-made stuffed toy, knitted or crocheted
49. a sewn garment
50. a painting of any subject in watercolour, acrylic, pastel or oil
51. a drawing, engraving or lithoprint, any subject
52. a photo of ‘local landscapes’, up to 8 by 6 inches, not framed or mounted
53. a photo of ‘memories of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations’, up to 8 by 6 inches, not framed or mounted
54. an article made of wood
CHILDREN’S CLASSES
(in two groups: A 7 years and under
B 8 to 12 years)
55A/55B. a miniature garden on a plate
56A/56B. an animal made from fruit, vegetables, pins and matchsticks
57A/57B. an arrangement of flowers
58A/58B. 3 decorated biscuits
59A/59B. a piece of craftwork
Please remember to make it clear if you don’t want your entry to be auctioned.
The 2022 Challis Hort Show Entry Form
Please address any queries regarding anything on the schedule to Mike Redshaw either by email mjredshaw@hotmail.co.uk or telephone 01223 834511.
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