Cups and a PHS certificate are awarded to the winner with the greatest number of points in the relevant section unless otherwise stated.
Rosettes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in each class along with Best in Show (fruit /& vegetables / floral) and Best Artwork.
Please see Schedule page for details of all classes and how to enter.
GENERAL |
The Bronze Banksian Medal of the R.H.S. – see description below. The Col. Bromhead Memorial Cup with the Society’s rosette and certificate for Best in Show. The John Grapes Memorial Prize, for the most meritorious exhibit of flowers in the Show. The Harry Thorne Memorial Cup, for the most meritorious exhibit of vegetables. |
Section 1 NOVICES |
The Worshipful Company of Gardeners’ Certificate of Merit in Horticulture |
Section 2 FLOWERS |
The Cowen Memorial Challenge Bowl The Kathleen and Harold Sharp Trophy, awarded to the winner of “One vase of mixed garden flowers” The Top Vase Prize, awarded to the winner of the Top Vase category(see ‘Hints for Exhibitors’) The Lambert Memorial Bowl (donated by Mr R Collett) together with The Worshipful Company of Gardeners’ Diploma for Excellence for the best entry in any rose class. |
Section 3 FRUIT |
The Clifford Bragg Challenge Cup (donated by Mr C Bragg) |
Section 4 VEGETABLES |
The Petersham Perpetual Challenge Cup (donated by Col. Cottingham) The Alf Gundry Memorial Prize, awarded to the winner of “A collection of mixed vegetables”. The Top Tray Prize, awarded to the winner of the Top Tray categroy (see ‘Hints for Exhibitors’) |
Section 5 FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS |
The James Clarke Memorial Cup (greatest number of points) The Worshipful Company of Gardeners’ Certificate of Merit for the best entry |
Section 6 COOKERY |
The Philip Carr Challenge Cup (donated by Mr Philip Carr) The North Trophy for the exhibit which gave the Judges the most pleasure |
Section 7 ARTS & CRAFTS |
The Violet Lincoln Memorial Salver The Anthony Rampton Memorial Prize for the most meritorious photographic print |
Section 8 JUNIOR (Floral, Fruit & Vegetables) |
The RHS Junior Competitors Certificate of Merit in Horticulture The Pamela Griffiths Memorial Cup (greatest number of points in Section 8) The Mary Turner Cup (donated by Mrs A Bray) for the winner of “Childrens fruit / Vegetable” The Anne Millard Cup for best junior floral entry The Petersham United Charities Prize, for the best schools’ exhibit of fruit, flowers and/or vegetables |
Section 9 JUNIOR (Cookery, Arts & Crafts) |
The Edmonds Cup (donated by Mrs F Edmonds) to the winner of greatest number of points in Section 9. The Cowen Cup for the most meritorious exhibit in children’s art |
The Banksian Medal
There is great competition within our Society for the award of this prestigious medal. It is presented each year to the exhibitor who wins the largest total amount of money in prizes in the whole of the horticultural classes at the Show, or who has the highest number of place points within the vegetable, fruit, flower and plant sections. Prizes awarded in Sections 5 to 9 and any other special prizes listed shall not count towards its award. This medal cannot be won by the same competitor more than once in any three-year period. This helps to give different people an opportunity of winning. The medal is granted by the Royal Horticultural Society to affiliated societies.
Sir Joseph Banks was born in 1743 and died a baronet and President of the Royal Society in 1820. He was a very wealthy man and in 1768 he financed and joined Captain Cook’s expedition in the Endeavour. This voyage around the world took him three years. When he reached Australia, Banks and his companions named the coastline where they landed Botany Bay because of the abundance of unknown plants. He returned home laden with dried plants, seeds, roots, illustrations, and records of an astonishing variety of new discoveries.
The Banksian Medal was first issued in 1922 in commemoration of Sir Joseph and “to encourage exhibitions of various garden productions of excellence, merit or novelty “. This tradition has been carried on by the Royal Horticultural Society ever since.
