Summer Show Time at The Black Barn!

Plans for this year’s HIHS Summer Show are now well advanced and we are excited to be bringing the event to its wonderful new home at The Black Barn, Manor Road, on Saturday 27th June.

The historic Black Barn, dating back to 1706, together with its large outside courtyard, gives us plenty of space to grow and build on the success of previous years. With its beautiful setting and relaxed atmosphere, it promises to be a fantastic day celebrating gardening, produce, creativity and community.

We often talk about the many benefits of gardening and spending time outdoors. There is the enjoyment of seeing the rewards of our efforts burst into bloom, or in the case of edible crops, producing fantastic fruit and vegetables. There are benefits for wildlife and the environment, and of course for our health and wellbeing. There is, however, another benefit that appeals to many of us… the opportunity to enter something in the Summer Show!

As a June show, roses and sweet peas should be looking particularly spectacular and there are classes ranging from single blooms through to displays. Many other plants are at their best at this time of year too, including pansies, hostas, fuchsias, hydrangeas and salvias. Fruit and vegetable growers will find classes for many seasonal crops including beans, courgettes, soft fruit and herbs.

If vegetables are not your thing, there is still plenty to get involved with. We have cookery classes, flower arranging, photography, handicrafts and no fewer than 16 children’s classes for ages four through to sixteen. Last year our flower arranging entries increased significantly and attracted some wonderful comments from the judges, and we hope to see even more entries this year.

For those wanting something a little more fun, there are classes for fragrant roses, wonky fruit and vegetables and even vegetable animals. Class 79, Mixed Garden Flowers, is also exactly what it sounds like, simply gather together whatever is looking beautiful in your garden that morning and bring it along.

Please do not think that entries are only for experienced exhibitors. A quick wander around your garden might reveal something worth entering. Pick your best blooms or produce and bring them along. We will always be happy to help with preparing exhibits for the show. Entries can be submitted online through our website.

Alongside the horticultural show itself, we have a packed programme of activities and entertainment. The courtyard will host a range of craft stalls, community groups and local businesses, together with our popular plant stall and tombola. We are delighted to welcome back the Island Shanty Singers and Hayling Baton Twirlers, and we are also introducing a flower arranging workshop from Harbourside Flowers.

Visitors will be able to relax in the courtyard, enjoy music throughout the afternoon and sample refreshments including hot food, tea and cakes, ice creams and drinks from our licensed bar featuring craft ales and local gins.

The Summer Show then continues into the evening as we partner with Barn Door Events for an After Party in the Black Barn. Doors open from 6pm, with live music and what promises to be a fun evening of food, drinks and dancing. Members who attend the afternoon show will receive complimentary access to the evening event, while non members can top up their ticket on the day. Full details can be found on the Big Black Shed events page.

We would like to thank Harry Walter and The Black Barn for supporting us in creating what promises to be a fantastic day for the whole community. There is also plenty of free parking available on site.

We still have space for a small number of additional stalls and would welcome donations of plants and prizes for our tombola. Donations can be dropped off at our Trading Centre in Legion Road.

For further information please contact Liese at publicity@hihs.org.uk

We look forward to seeing you there.