ST. THOMAS
ALLOTMENTS ASSOCIATION
summer produce show 2026
At the St. Thomas Allotments Association Summer Produce Show, we celebrate our community of gardeners, cooks and crafters. Although considered prestigious in the local area, the show has a focus on fun, family and inclusion. Whether you're a novice or expert grower, crafter or cook, why not join us for the annual Allotments Summer Produce Show in St. Thomas, Exeter!
event details
WHEN?
Saturday 1st August 2026
WHERE?
St. Thomas Parish Church Hall, 54 Cowick Street, Exeter, Devon, EX4 1AP
TIMES
9AM - 10:45AM: ENTRIES - DROP OFF & BENCHING OF EXHIBITS
11AM - 12:30PM: JUDGING (HALL CLOSED)
1PM: SHOW HALL OPEN
2:30PM: PRIZE GIVING, RAFFLE, SCARECROW COMPETITION RESULTS & BEST IN SHOW
OTHER DETAILS
Entrance to the show is completely FREE, although the competition is only open to STAA plot-holders and their families. There will be entry forms and show programs available at the venue on the day, and in our Trading Sheds, although you can download them in advance below. Where possible, please print and complete your entry show entry form prior to arriving at the show. Refreshments will be available (tea, coffee, squash, and homemade cakes and biscuits) will proceeds going to the Devon Air Ambulance. The venue has toilets and limited parking.
SUMMER PRODUCE SHOW RULES
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All classes are open to STAA plot-holders and their families
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Entries must be submitted and staged between 9am and 10:45am on the day of the show.
Admissions to the hall will be refused after 11am until 1pm whilst judging takes place.
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Items previously exhibited in STAA shows are not eligible for re-entry
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All flower, vegetable and fruit exhibits must have been grown in an exhibitor's own garden or allotment
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Exhibits must be ripe, healthy, clean and free from blemishes and pests
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Where multiple exhibits are asked for, they should be matching as far as possible
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Attractive presentation of your exhibits will be taken into account
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You must provide your own container/plate for presentation of all entries
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All cooked items must be covered and visible (using cling film or cloche etc.)
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Provide at least 250g or 350ml of cookery/’taste of’ entries
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If a photo is required for a class, it must be submitted unframed in colour or black & white. Photos must be no larger than 40x30cm
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First, Second and Third place certificates (and points) will be awarded for each class
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You may win up to three prizes in a class
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Exhibits must be collected between 2:30pm and 3:30pm. Any not collected will be removed and donated to a local charity
SHOW CLASSES
VEGETABLES
CLASS 1: 3 POTATOES
CLASS 2: 3 BEETROOTS
CLASS 3: 3 CARROTS (with stalks)
CLASS 4: 3 ONIONS (with stem tied or not)
CLASS 5: 3 COURGETTES (same or mixed)
CLASS 6: 1 CALABRESE (head of)
CLASS 7: 1 WONKY FRUIT OR VEG
CLASS 8: MIX OF FRUIT, VEG, &/OR FLOWERS (in a tray or trug – max size 23x30cm)
CLASS 9: 3 GARLIC BULBS
CLASS 10: 2 SWEETCORN SHEAVES (with ¼ of cob showing)
CLASS 11: 1 AUBERGINE
CLASS 12: 1 CABBAGE
LEGUMES
CLASS 13: 6 RUNNER BEANS
CLASS 14: 6 FRENCH BEANS
FRUITS THAT MASQUERADE AS VEGETABLES
CLASS 15: EITHER 6 CHERRY, 2 PLUM, OR 1 BEEF TOMATO(ES) (with calyx attached)
CLASS 16: 2 CUCUMBERS (matching varieties)
CLASS 17: 1 PEPPER (bell or sweet)
CLASS 18: 3 CHILLI PEPPERS
CHILDREN'S CLASSES (16 & under)
CLASS 19: ANYTHNG YOU'VE GROWN YOURSELF
CLASS 20: VEGETABLE MONSTER
CLASS 21: 1 DECORATED BOILED EGG
CLASS 22: ANY DECORATED CAKE OR BISCUIT
COOKERY & TASTE OF PRODUCE (using at least 1 homegrown produce)
CLASS 23: 1 BOTTLE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE (not gin)
CLASS 24: 1 BOTTLE OF NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE
CLASS 25: 1 CAKE OR BISCUIT
CLASS 26: FLAVOURED GIN
CLASS 27: 1 JAR OF JAM
CLASS 28: 1 JAR OF CHUTNEY
CLASS 29: 1 FLAVOURED LOAF OF HOMEMADE BREAD
CRAFT CLASSES (17+)
CLASS 30: BEFORE & AFTER IN THE GARDEN OR ON THE PLOT (photo – see rules)
CLASS 31: WELCOMING WILDLIFE TO THE GARDEN OR PLOT (photo – see rules)
CLASS 32: RECYCLE OR UPCYCLE (physical item or photo ((if photo – see rules)) if too big)
CLASS 33: ANY HAND-CRAFTED ITEM (not included in the classes above)
FLOWERS
CLASS 34: 3 GLADIOLI (mixed or same variety)
CLASS 35: 3 DECORATIVE DAHLIAS (mixed or same variety)
CLASS 36: ARRANGEMENT OF FLOWERS (over 10cm in height)
CLASS 37: ARRANGEMENT OF FLOWERS IN A CUP
CLASS 38: 3 ROSES (any colour, can be mixed or single variety)
CLASS 39: ARRANGEMENT OF SWEET PEAS & SUNFLOWERS (mixed or singular varieties)
CLASS 40: ARRANGEMENT OF HERBS, FLOWERS OR ANYTHING CULTIVATED TO ENCOURAGE BIODIVERSITY
FRUITS
CLASS 41: 6 RASPBERRIES (displayed on a plate)
CLASS 42: 6 STRAWBERRIES (displayed on a plate)
CLASS 43: 2 DRUPES (stone fruits displayed on a plate)
CLASS 44: 6 GOOSEBERRIES (displayed on a plate)
CLASS 45: 3 RHUBARB STEMS (displayed on a plate)
SCARECROW COMPETITION
Do you have a fantastic scarecrow on your allotment plot, or perhaps in your garden at home? We want to see your scarecrows, be they creepy, funny or traditional! To enter the competition, simply take a photo of your scarecrow and email it to us: stallotmentsassociation@gmail.com. Please include the name of the person who is entering the scarecrow, a contact telephone number, and the name of your allotment site (or state 'garden' if it's at home) where the scarecrow lives.
Regrettably the show hall is not large enough to accommodate an army of scarecrows, so instead we’ll print your photo and display it instead! Visitors to the show will vote for their favourite scarecrow and the winner will take home a prize. Check out last year’s scarecrow entries below, and we look forward to seeing your scarecrow!
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS SATURDAY 18TH JULY 2026.
