NFG Fruit Show

The Northern Fruit Group started holding it’s own fruit show in September 1998, three years after the group was formed. It’s aim was to encourage and advise members on fruit showing so that they could gain confidence to enter local and regional shows.

In the early years the show was open to NFG members only and there were 20 classes that any member could enter. As member’s expertise in showing increased it was decided to reduce the number of open classes to 14 and introduce 6 novice classes for those new to showing. In about 2015, the show was opened to anyone.

Points and prize money are awarded for 1st, 2nd and third places in each class. Plus there are two special prizes (introduced in 2001) – one for the entrant with the most points in the novice classes and the other for the entrant with the most points overall.

23rd Annual NFG Fruit Show

The following are the details for this year’s show – our 23rd Annual Fruit Show.

When: Saturday 9th September 2023
Timing: For entries – 9.30am-12noon; For Public Viewing – 2-4pm
Where: Sunley Room, Bramall Learning Centre, Harlow Carr
Judge: David Allison, FNVS

Entries will be accepted from 9.30am until 12noon. Staging must be completed by 12:30 and the room cleared for judging. The show schedule can be accessed here. Please put the date in your diaries and take a moment to look through the schedule and mark any classes which you may wish to enter.

The show is open to all and there are novice classes to encourage new exhibitors as well as open classes. Don’t be put off if you have not shown before, the novice classes are there especially for you. Anyone may enter the open classes. The novice classes can only be entered by those who have not previously won a first prize in either the novice class or the equivalent open class.

There are prize cards and money for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd places and a special prizes for the exhibitors with the most points in the novice classes and the most points overall in the show. Please consider exhibiting, it really is good fun and people showing for the first time in previous years have been pleased with their success – and the prize money!

Don’t worry if you are not sure how to stage your exhibits, there will be more experienced members available who will be more than willing to help you. Remember, nothing ventured – nothing gained, it could be you walking off with the prize money. So go on have a go.

Exhibitor Tips

• Read the schedule beforehand and decide which classes you are going to enter.
• Bring some extra fruit for each class just in case any get damaged on the way.
• Pack fruit in single layers separated by kitchen roll or other soft materials for travelling.
• Aim to arrive with plenty of time to stage you exhibits.
• Make sure you put the correct number of fruit on each plate.
• Choose fruits that match in size and colour – its better to have slightly smaller fruit all the same size than for example in the apple classes two large ones and one small one.
• All top fruit should have the full length of the stalk so that the “heel” of the stalk where it was attached to the branch is still there. Stalks should not be trimmed or cut.
• The stems of berries can be cut to make them all the same length.
• Do not include any fruit that does not have a stalk attached.
• Grapes should have a short length of main stem either side of the bunch forming a “T” shape.
• No fruit should be “polished”.
• As much of the “bloom” as possible should be on plums, damsons, grapes etc.
• Do not include any fruit that has damage for example codling moth holes or bitter pit on apples.
• Double check all your exhibits after you have staged them for the correct number of fruit on plate, variety label and exhibitors slip with “Class Number” upwards.