Bathurst Show’s home and garden entries a hit

Locals young and old to display skills

must-see section of the annual Bathurst Agricultural Show is the Home and Garden display in the Memorial Hall.

Young and old, male and female, “townie” and farmer, all display their skills in a variety of sections.

These range from farm produce and plants to home skills such as knitting, crochet work, embroidery and the everpopular quilting.

The bottling and baking sections have been rather

Aneglected in recent times, no doubt due to the increasing costs of ingredients.

However, simple, inexpensive items such as scones, cupcakes and pickles of all kinds are welcomed.

Children are encouraged to participate in every division, with special judges viewing their work. Another section in which the organisers would love to see more entries is Section Q, the homecrafts section.

Here any crafters in leather, glass, paper (decoupage and scrapbooking), fabric, pottery, beads and wire are welcomed.

Last year, a new section was introduced, “Everything Pineapples”, and entries ranging from curried pineapple to crocheted tea cosies were received.

This section is wide open to personal interpretation and as pineapples are the iconic fruit of this area, organisers hope for even more entries this year.

A new addition for 2020 is Section Y – posters, digital design and computer generated art – promises to be a very exciting addition to the more traditional art media.

The age range here is just as wide as the topics, from five to primary to open sections.

Judging in all sections is by sensitive, knowledgeable people, with the emphasis on providing encouraging remarks.

The floral art, photography, art and woodwork sections showcase work of outstanding quality and they arrange their own expert judges.

Every entry receives a prize card and the best entry in each division receives a rosette.

The overall winners (awarded on a points per entry system) receive either a certificate or a trophy.

There is enough time for members of the public to create original works for the various sections.

Entries cost R5 per entry (R1 of which goes to the Sunshine Feeding Fund where fortified porridge is supplied each morning to pre-schoolers at four creches in Nolukhanyo Township).

Entry forms are available at Settlers Park, Damant Lodge, Sew Smart and Home Industries in Port Alfred.

In Makhanda, they can be collected from the Home Industry at Peppergrove Mall and the Red Café in High Street, or at the office of the Bathurst Agricultural Show, phone 046625-0759 or visit the website www.bathurstshow.co.za.