After a break of 30 years, the Milford & Makeney Flower & Produce Show was reinstated in 2024 and judged a success (see here for report) and so returned this year bigger and better – with (following many requests) additional baking, preserves and egg classes. Overall the number of classes was increased from 30 to 42.
The event took place on Saturday 13th September 2025 and, as last year, was held in Milford Social (Sunshine) club. The organisers would like to thank The Social Club for kindly allowing them to use their space again.
Backed by Blooming Milford, a committee was set up and over a year a great deal of background planning and organisation was undertaken to ensure the day went as smoothly as possible. Much effort went into publicity, with posters, flyers, webpage (here) and a brand new 10ft x 3ft banner.
New banner on Children’s Play Area
Many thanks to Sue Wood for marshalling this effort and setting up a robust booking system which worked really well, even in her absence on holiday on the day.
On the Thursday before the event the committee cleaned and set up the upstairs meeting room (which would house the baked goods, preserves, flowers and children’s categories). On the day they arrived at 8.30 to set up the main downstairs bar for the flower and vegetable categories, and the prize cups on the stage.
From 9.30 – 11.00am the entrants arrived and were registered and then went to display their wares. As ever, the displays, once complete, were really lovely, as the pictures below show.
Registration of entries
Fruit and vegetable entries
Produce entries
Floral entries
The fruit and squashes were particularly impressive, reflecting the very warm year we’ve had. The baked goods looked delicious and one bread entrant brought his bread in literally straight from the oven, and it filled the building with lovely scent.
Fresh bread
The judges then arrived at 11.00am. We had 4 judges, two for the fruit and vegetables (Jeff Bates, former East Midlands in Bloom chair and Ian Sandars, holder of 3 immaculate allotments on Bridge View) and 2 for the flowers, baked goods, preserves and children’s classes (Hazel Williamson of Duffield WI and Kelly Adams, former landscape gardener and founder member of Blooming Milford). They deliberated for 90 minutes and the committee wrote out all the certificates for each class (first, second, third and highly commended). Rosettes were also given for each winner of first. The committee would like to give a heartfelt thanks to the judges, who had to work very hard because of the increased number of entries this year, and this was very much appreciated.
Fruit being judged
Flowers being judged
At 1pm the general public were let in to admire displays. look at their results, partake in beverages from the bar or have a selection of of the homemade cakes and pies made from fruits from peoples gardens and allotments at the refreshment table (proceeds to the Greenspace).
Greenspace refreshment table
Meanwhile the committee were totting up the numbers to decide who was the winner of each category. At 1.30pm the winners were presented with the prizes below by Elaine and Glenys of the “Potty Plotters” programme on BBC Radio Derby.
Glenys, David Moreton, Blooming Milford Chair, Elaine (L to R)
Prizes
- The New Inn Cup for Overall Best in Show – joint winners Bobby Reed and Jean Brickman
- The Richard Beardsley Rose Bowl for Best Floral Display in show – Jean Brickman
- The Glow Worm Cup for the Best Vegetable in show – Bobby Reed
- The Norman Taylor Memorial Cup for the best Fruit in show – Paul Whitaker
- The Riverside Garden Centre Makeney Cup for best Junior 8-11 – Tilly Goodburn
- The TLC Repton Cup for best Infant 5-7 – Frances Midgeley
- The Velo Bavarian Support Local Cup – The Egg Cup – Bobby Reed
- Crystal Bowl for best baked goods – Jean Brickman
- Crystal Bowl for best preserves – Jean Brickman
Frances Midgley being presented with the Beat Infant Entry award
Tilly Goodburn receiving best junior prize
Paul Whitaker presented with Best Fruit cup
The weather had been kind until 1.30pm, when suddenly the heavens opened and there was torrential rain and hail, with thunder like drum rolls for the cup presentation! Winners Bobby and Jean both missed the main cup giving ceremony and arrived later, and were both bowled over when they were presented with with their multiple prizes. In Bobby’s case he had had to leave the show to play a game of football, where he sustained an injury, and then when he returned quickly limp over with his parents from their car, in the siling rain, to the Social Club to receive his prizes, so that was definitely a consolation!
Bobby Reed with prizes and proud parents
Jean Brickman with her prizes for best floral display, best preserves and best baking
Last year there were 27 entrants and 100 entries; this year 37 entrants and 165 entries. These are impressive increases and so the show was judged to have been a great success. Look out for information about the 2026 event!
The volunteers on the day
