It’s November again so time for gardeners to show off their efforts. Martinborough has hosted a Rose Show since the early 1940’s and it has seen lots of changes over the years. What was the traditional “Rose Show” was renamed ‘Martinborough Rose & Flower Show’ – hopefully to encourage more entries and visitors.
2013’s event will be held this Saturday, November 9th at the Town Hall. Entries [which are free] are staged from 7.45a.m. until ten. Schedules are available in local shops and at Martinborough Property Brokers, who sponsor this annual event.
Support and entry numbers have shown some variation over the years and ‘lean’ times are usually blamed on inclement weather. Plenty of growth this season and warmer days, hopefully will mean lots of entries! Help is provided for new folk; and the show is a ‘friendly’ one. There is also a ‘Novice Section’ for the rose enthusiasts. So don’t be scared!
As well as the extensive Rose Sections, the Show includes classes for Cut Flowers, Floral Art, a ‘Home & Garden’ section, and a separate class for children. Judges have been invited from throughout the Wairarapa, and any people who would like to help with the Show will be very welcome.
Eighteen beautiful silver trophies on display are awarded annually. Some of these date back to the first shows! Reading the names – engraved each year, so a fairly accurate record is kept – also tells a little bit of local history. Some of the older trophies have been awarded by local identities past; Kitty Knox, Charles Michell, and some equally famous surnames appear: McLeod, Smith, Kershaw and even Martin!
The Town Hall is open to the public from 12.30p.m. until 4 o’clock. A donation will get you in to see the exhibits, and there are also raffles, a stall run by Wharekaka Auxiliary and some lovely displays. Each year the Committee makes a donation from profits to a local charity; so it is hoped visitors will be generous at the same time as enjoying a delightful afternoon.
For enquiries please phone Maree Roy [06] 306 9319 or email xanthe.cats@xtra.co.nz.
