Chobham is an ancient English village listed in the Domesday book of 1086. I've met several villagers born and raised here with a long family history in the area. Chobham is about 30 miles southwest of London. It's a lovely village and I'll share more in a future post. In the mean time, if you're planning a trip, you'll find a great Chobham day tripper guide at Muddy Stilettos. And please let me know you're coming so I can join you, I'm bored to tears as I'm currently not working.
The Chobham Show is hosted each year by the Chobham Agricultural & Horticultural Society and held at the Village Hall built in 1888. (I read that the BBC show Call the Midwife has filmed here.) The best I can determine is that village shows became popular in the UK in the 1940's as a way to raise money and morale for the war effort. But boasting about your beautiful beets, productive chickens and obedient hounds is a universal activity that goes way back. Some fun, neighborly competition is what you'll find at the Chobham Show.
The List of Classes for this show includes almost 40 classes of vegetables, including Dish of Five Tomatoes, Three Sticks of Rhubarb, and Three leeks (trimmed). The main hall area was full of these beautiful specimens. Each class would have a first, second, and third place winner indicated. I loved reading the notes from the judges. "Beautiful carrots. Would have ranked higher had you trimmed off some of the strings.
There were about nine classes of fruit on offer including Dish of Five Cox's Orange Pippins and Dish of Stone Fruit (not plums). We started to notice the same family names appearing in class after class, so we now know who the best kitchen gardeners are in Chobham.
We really wanted to take note of who the home brewers are in the village. Not only was there beer and wine but classes for Sloe Gin, Cider, Ginger Beer and Fruit Gin or Vodka.
Entry fees for each class are 25p (if you're a member). Third price will get you 75p, second prize is £1 and £2 for First Prize, but we all know they really want one of these Challenge Cup trophies for the most points in each section.
We made our way to the Cakes, Preserves and Savouries room with 23 different classes including Jar of Marmalade, Victoria Sandwich (jam filling, no sugar as a topping) and Six Pieces of Shortbread. I was surprised that there weren't more entries here. I might try my hand at a few next year. Maybe Plate Apple Pie, Six Chocolate Brownies or A Carrot Cake. Isn't this Decorated Cake just beautiful? I think that lace might actually be fondant.
Nope not American biscuits but scones (rhymes with cons not cones btw). I've done pretty good making Yorkshire puddings, but haven't yet mastered the scone. But with jam and clotted cream, they are incredible. Just make sure you know which topping goes first, so as not to offend.
Another room included the entries for Art, Handicrafts and Amateur Photography. I can tell you there are some extremely talented people in Chobham. Really beautiful stuff and I think I might have found some of my people. The entries in the eight photography classes were amazing. I might get brave and enter a few shots next year.
It was fun to look at the rankings and compare it to what we would've chosen. Judging must be so difficult as there is some great stuff. Next we went outside to grab a beverage and a sweet before sitting down to watch the Dog Show.
We still have a dog-shaped whole in our life. So it was wonderful to sit and watch these lovely pups play and show off their best behavior. There were several different categories and even an Egg and Spoon Race. I've noticed how well-behaved dogs are in the UK. I imagine it's because they are so well socialized. People take their dogs with them everywhere.
The handlers would stand in a ring with their dogs while the judge went from one to another for a chat and a check. Some dogs found it much harder to sit and stay during the wait. There were a lot of antics that had us giggling. There were also lots of bribes/treats involved. Others would just lay down and chill until it was all over. Matt had to drag me away, I could have watched them all day.
Maybe next year we can enter our own dog in the competition. A girl can dream. It was also great to see so many children involved and learning dog-handling skills at a young age. Which brings me to the very impressive Children's Tent. There were various classes for children of all ages, even kids under five can get involved and win a ribbon. These are actually not burgers but cupcakes, or Fairy Cakes as the Brits call them. Too cute.
Other Children's Classes included Animal made from Vegetable and/or Fruit (I wish they had this category for adults), Miniature Garden and Your Own Poem (judged on composition and handwriting).
Chobham is also apparently full of very talented children. This 1st Prize award was very well deserved. I actually want to buy this and have it in my house. The Queen's 90th Birthday was a theme for the show this year. Isn't she beautiful?
I realize that this post is ridiculously long, but I'm more than halfway through. There was just so much to see at this little village show and I can't narrow it down any further. Next was the New Laid Eggs and Live Poultry entries. Duck Egg Blue is such a pretty color, don't you agree?
There was also a class for Children's Pets and Poultry for aged 4-16. We spent some time wiggling our noses at the bunnies and guinea pigs before inspecting the poultry.
Isn't he gorgeous? He obviously was very proud of his red 1st Prize ribbon.
There's more... the Floral Decoration and Flowers tent was in full bloom. Classes of flowers included Vase or Bowl of three sprays of Michaelmas Daisies and One Gladioli. Dahlias had their very own challenge cup with 10 different classes. There is even a Novice Class where experts and previous winners are barred.
The Floral Decorations were most impressive. There were 9 different themes to chose from celebrating "The Queen's 90th Birthday" including Windsor Castle, Swan Upping (to include water) and The Queen's Consort. I should have taken more pictures of the arrangements, they were beautiful.
Last but not least were the Chobham Morris Dancers. No village event is complete without them. Morris dancing is an English folk dance dating as far back as the 15th century. The dancers wear flowers, bells and tattered coats as they perform steps and choreographed figures. Some of the dances include props such as sticks or handkerchiefs. Here's a video of them in action if you want to take a look.
Thanks so much if you've read this far. As you can see, we had a great day at the Chobham Village Show. If you ever get a chance to attend a village show, don't miss it. It will be even more fun if you enter into the competition and see if you can win a ribbon for your hard work.
Have you been to a Village Show? Which class would you like to enter?
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