A
Flower and Produce Show fit for a Queen
In this,
the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year, we are hoping to encourage
record
numbers of you to enter the 2012 Cookham Dean Village Fete Flower
and Produce Show.
A
posy fit for a Queen is
one of the categories for children under the age of 12.
Or creating your own vegetable
animal could be more fun for some.
A corgi or horse perhaps?
The leek,
the national emblem of Wales is back as a class by popular demand in
the Vegetable Section.
According to legend, Saint David ordered his Welsh soldiers
to identify themselves by wearing the vegetable on their helmets in
an ancient battle against the Saxons that took place in a leek
field.
The much
loved rose, our emblem in England since the War of the Roses in the
15th century, will have an opportunity to take centre
stage in several categories from the vase of annuals and the single
specimen rose to the
floral arrangement, top
vase and even the vase of
edible flowers.
Scotland
is nobly represented too, in the Cooking Section, with a plate
of short bread.
Mary, Queen of Scots is credited with introducing this
classic Scottish biscuit in the 1500’s.
And
“Wearin’ of the green” has long been a symbol of hope and
eternal life in Ireland, with our foliage table decoration giving ample opportunity to celebrate
greenery in all it’s glory.
On a more
personal note, taking afternoon tea is apparently one of the
favourite occupations of Queen Elizabeth II.
Cup cakes, scones,
jam and Victoria sponge cake mean there will be huge variety of tempting
treats to admire.
Or perhaps Her Majesty might prefer a slice of savoury
flan, with a spoonful of chutney.
Her
ancestor, Queen Victoria was an extremely frugal eater, partial to a
plain piece of the sponge cake that was named after her.
And for breakfast every morning she had a simple boiled egg,
served in a gold egg cup and eaten with a gold spoon.
An even
earlier Queen, Elizabeth I, was said to be particularly keen on carrots
after being presented with a tub of butter and a wreath of
tender carrots emblazoned with diamonds.
Folklore has it that she removed the diamonds and sent the
carrots and butter to the kitchen. They returned as the classic side
dish: buttered carrots.
So our
show in this Diamond Jubilee year will have categories to please
royalty both past and present, and hopefully will tempt you to take
part too. The entry fee is just 50p per class, (free for children
under 12).
As with
any great royal spectacle planning ahead is the secret of success.
Potatoes need to be chitted, onions planted and tomato
varieties chosen.
Enthusiastic
as ever to win a certificate, cup or medal I can’t wait to get my
runner beans staked, my chrysanthemums bedded in and my beetroot
planted.
While waiting for an end to the winter frosts I wont be idle
though.
The knitted or crocheted item this year is a hat.
I am thinking a sparkly elaborate crown could be my path to
glory.
If
you have any questions, or would like to know more about how to
enter contact, Janet Shanks on 01628 525576 or penfoldshanks@btinternet.com
(By
Claire Phillpot)
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