Schedule of Classes 2026

Highest Points in classes 1-23 to be awarded the BELFAST TELEGRAPH PERPETUAL CUP

Highest Points in classes 14 & 15 to be awarded the CONN PERPETUAL ROSE BOWL

Highest Points in classes 7-11 to be awarded the EDMISTON PERPETUAL ROSE BOWL

Highest Points in classes 4 & 5 to be awarded the DAVIDSON PERPETUAL ROSE PLAQUE

1. House plant grown for foliage

2. One potted orchid

3. Any other pot plant in flower

4. Three hybrid-tea roses, large flowered

5. Three stems floribunda roses, cluster flowered

6. Vase of flowering shrubs - may be assorted

7. One decorative dahlia medium flowered, between 15cms (6) and 20cms (8) diameter 

8. Three decorative dahlias, no more than 15cms (6")

9. Three cactus dahlias, between 10cms (4") and 25cms (10")

10. Three miniature ball dahlias, no more than 10cms (4)

11. Three standard ball dahlias, between 10cms (4") and 15cms (6)

12. Four pansies in vase

13. Four violas in vase

14. Six stems of mixed sweet pea in vase

15. Six stems of mixed sweet pea with minimum of 4 flowers per stem

16. One cactus

17. One succulent

18. A perfect but lonely flower in a vase

19. One potted decorative grass

20. Three blooms geranium in vase

21. Three stems of lavender

22. Outdoor plant in flower - maximum 30cm diameter pot

23. Three gladioli

Highest Points in classes 24-33 to be awarded the DIXON PERPETUAL CUP

Best Arrangement of flowers from classes 24-33 to be awarded the MALSEED PERPETUAL CUP

24. Arrangement of 3 flowers with foliage incorporating pottery or china

25. An arrangement using a supermarket or forecourt bunch of flowers. Extra foliage may be added (no more than £7 and price label to be shown)

26. Arrangement using 'one' rose

27. Arrangement using not more than 5 flowers - no accessories

28. An arrangement in a jam jar

29. A jug of flowers from the garden

30. Miniature arrangement not to exceed 10cm x 10cm

31. An arrangement using foliage only - no flowers

32. Harvest wreath - no fresh flowers

33. Table centre without using florists foam / oasis

Highest Points in classes 34-38 to be awarded the LONGS PERPETUAL CUP

34. Bottle of red or white wine

35. Bottle of cider

36. Bottle of beer or ale

37. Bottle of gin based liqueur

38. Bottle of any other liqueur

Highest Points in classes 39-41 to be awarded the CORONATION PERPETUAL CUP

39. Four hen eggs - brown

40. Four hen eggs - tinted

41. Four duck eggs

Highest Points in classes 42-53 to be awarded the PYPER PERPETUAL CUP

Highest Points for Berry Jams in classes 44,45,46 to be awarded the LUCY SPENCE PERPETUAL CUP 

Please use 12 oz (340g) or 1 lb (454g) glass jars with clear covers, no lids unless otherwise stated

42. Marmalade

43. Blackcurrant jam

44. Gooseberry jam

45. Raspberry jam

46. Strawberry jam

47. Rhubarb Jam

48. Plum jam

49. A two fruit jam

50. Lemon curd

51. Jelly - any variety

52. Chutney - any variety

53. Pot of honey (metal lid)

Highest Points in classes 54-67 to be awarded the ARCHIBALD PERPETUAL CUP

54. One soda bread - Not in a loaf tin fruit or plain 

55. One farl soda bread

56.  One wheaten bread 

57. Four pieces potato bread 

58. One gingerbread - Baked in a 2 lb loaf tin

59. One banana bread - Baked in a 2 lb loaf tin

60. Fruit loaf (Irish Brack) - Baked in a 2 lb loaf tin 

61. One date and walnut loaf - Baked in a 2 lb loaf tin 

62. Four fruit scones

63. Four savoury scones

64. Four pancakes 

65. Any focaccia bread (Variety to be named)

66. Any sourdough bread (Variety to be named)

67. Any gluten free bread (Variety to be named)

Highest Points in classes 68-83 to be awarded the SPENCE PERPETUAL CUP

Highest Points in class 80 to be awarded the CISSIE McINTYRE CUP

68. One carrot cake - baked in a 2 lb loaf tin

69. One sultana cake 

70. One madeira cake

71. One blueberry and lemon loaf cake (see recipe in end section)

72. One child's birthday cake

73. One butter sandwich filled (any flavour)

74. Four brownies or four blondies

75. Four cupcakes

76. One fruit tart

77. Four Empire biscuits - MALE ENTRANTS ONLY

78. Four caramel / millionaire shortbread squares

79. Four no bakes

80. Four shortbread biscuits

81. Four biscuits (one variety) - exhibitors choice

82. Four flapjacks

83. Four meringue nests - unfilled

Highest Points in classes 84-102 to be awarded the W. BURNS PERPETUAL CUP

Winner of class 101 to be awarded the HART CUP

84. Four stalks of parsley in water

85. Four onions - grown from sets

86. Six pods of beans

87. Six pods of peas

88. One gourd/pumpkin

89. Any yellow vegetable

90. One pepper - any variety chilli or sweet

91. Two courgettes

92. One cucumber

93. One vegetable marrow

94. Four coloured potatoes - variety to be named

95. Four white potatoes - variety to be named

96. Three carrots

97. Three parsnips

98. Two leeks

99. Three beetroot

100. Collection of herbs - shown in separate containers on a tray

101. Tray of vegetables - not more than four kinds and two herbs (no tomatoes)

102. "Disaster class" - A vegetable that has gone wrong, unusual or funny!

Highest Points in classes 103-110 to be awarded the DAVIDSON PERPETUAL CUP

103. Four stalks of rhubarb 

104. Four tomatoes excluding beef tomatoes 

105. Four beef tomatoes 

106. Four Victoria plums 

107. Four cooking apples 

108. Four dessert apples 

109. Four pears 

110. A dish of soft fruit (may be mixed) not listed above in 103-109 

CHILDREN UNDER 4 YEARS ON SHOW DAY

CHILDREN’S SECTION - Please include Child’s Age, Date of Birth and School

111. A decorated stone

112. Posy of flowers in a jam jar 

113. Grow a "Cress Head" 

114. Finger painting of a fish on an A4 page 

CHILDREN UNDER 6 YEARS ON SHOW DAY

CHILDREN’S SECTION - Please include Child’s Age, Date of Birth and School

115. Decorated kitchen roll tube

116. A creature made from fruit and/or vegetables

117. Create a picture including an animal - paint, crayon, pencil or marker A4 max size

118. A sweetie necklace 

CHILDREN’S SECTION - Please include Child’s Age and School

CHILDREN UNDER 8 YEARS ON SHOW DAY

Highest Points in classes 119-123 to be awarded the JAMISON PERPETUAL CUP

119. Three no bakes

120. Fill a small matchbox with 6 interesting items and list them

121. Create a picture of “A Garden” incorporating dry pasta - A4 max size

122. Make an animal from Lego (no kits) to fit on an A4 page

123. Any craft item, (knitting, sewing, woodcraft, Hamma beads etc.) 

CHILDREN’S SECTION - Please include Child’s Age and School

CHILDREN UNDER 10 YEARS ON SHOW DAY

Highest Points in classes 124-128 to be awarded the PEARL PERPETUAL CUP

124. Three no bakes 

125. Create a picture titled “At the Park” - Paint, Crayon, Pencil or Marker. A4 max size

126. Your own design of a vehicle made from Lego to fit on an A4 page 

127. A mask made from a paper plate

128. Any craft item (knitting, sewing, woodcraft, Hamma beads etc.) 

CHILDREN’S SECTION - Please include Child’s Age and School

CHILDREN UNDER 12 YEARS ON SHOW DAY

Highest Points in classes 129-133 to be awarded the ROBERTSON PERPETUAL CUP

129. Three no bakes

130. Best Handwriting - see poem in end section 

131. Original photograph “Out for a Walk" ” un-mounted not to exceed 8”x6” 

132. A collage of a rocket using any materials A4 max size 

133. Any craft item (knitting, sewing, woodcraft, Hamma beads etc.)

Please include Age and School or Group

UNDER 14 YEARS ON SHOW DAY

Highest Points in classes 134-138 to be awarded the CRAIG PERPETUAL CUP 

134. Three brownies/blondies

135. An original poem titled "Sometimes I Wish" - at least 4 lines

136. Original photograph “The world beneath my feet" (un-mounted and not to exceed 8”x6”) Take a photo of you standing on something or somewhere interesting and remember to include your feet!

137. Item made from recycled material - max size 30cm x 30cm

138. Any craft item, (knitting, sewing, woodcraft, Hamma beads etc.) 

Please include Age and School or Group 

UNDER 16 YEARS ON SHOW DAY

Highest Points in classes 139-143 to be awarded the BOGGS CUP 

139. Three homemade biscuits - one variety 

140. Original short story “A Day with No Internet”- 500 to 1000 words - to be submitted in advance to the show secretary by Friday 28th August

141. Original photograph “Looking Up” (un-mounted and not to exceed 8”x6”) We spend most of our time looking straight ahead so point your camera the other way and see what you've been missing

142. A dreamcatcher 

143. Any craft item (knitting, sewing, woodcraft, Hamma beads etc.)

Please include Age and School or Group 

UNDER 18 YEARS ON SHOW DAY

Highest Points in classes 144-147 to be awarded the CARMONEY CUP

144. Banana Bread 

145. Original short story “If I Could Choose”- 500 to 1000 words - to be submitted in advance to the show secretary by Friday 28th August

146. Original photograph “Shades of Green” (un-mounted and not to exceed 8”x6”) Green is everywhere around us but how do you see it? Use your creative eye to capture green in nature, fashion, patterns and everyday life where green is the main character

147. Any craft item (knitting, sewing, woodcraft, Hamma beads etc.)

DAY CENTRE ATTENDEES ONLY 

Highest Points in classes 148 -156 to be awarded the VARIETY STORE PERPETUAL CUP 

148. Any article incorporating needlework 

149. Any article made with yarn 

150. A Picture using natural materials /dried foods 

151. A decorated shell or stone 

152. Any item of craft incorporating buttons / beads 

153. Any article wood

154. Any article diamond painting 

155. A piece of handmade jewellery made from any material

156. Any handicraft article not covered in the above classes. 

Highest Points in classes 157-166 to be awarded the DOWD PERPETUAL CUP

Highest Points in classes 167-182 to be awarded the WHITE PERPETUAL CUP 

157. Hand-knitted garment in fine yarn ( 2, 3 or 4 ply )

158. Hand-knitted adult’s garment in Aran style 

159. Hand-knitted child’s garment in double knitting 

160. Hand-knitted item in chunky or bulkier yarn 

161. Amigurumi character not greater than 20 cms in height 

162. A crocheted baby present using DK yarn

163. Any article fine crochet 

164. A crocheted garment (not cotton yarn)

165. A crocheted cushion 

166. Wall hanging using yarn any weight- not greater than 50cms x 50cms 

167. A quilted mug mat 

168. A patchwork / quilted bag 

169. A 12” patchwork square – not backed or quilted - any pattern 

170. Any small item showing free motion quilting (home machine) 

171. Any article featuring appliqué 

172. Cross stitch - Aida (reverse to be visible) 

173. Any article using felting technique 

174. Any article embroidery (reverse to be visible) 

175. Any article tapestry (reverse to be visible) 

176. One piece of hand-made jewellery 

177. Soft toy – from fabric or yarn 

178. A small item of decoupage 

179. A handmade bookmark 

180. A handmade greetings card 

181. Something new from something old (fabric or yarn item - identify the original items used) 

182. Any handicraft article not covered in the above classes 

Highest Points in classes 183-186 to be awarded the EGLINTON ANNUAL SHOW CUP

183. Any article of handmade Pottery 

184. Any article in turned wood 

185. Any small item of garden furniture (any medium)

186. Any article showing craft work not covered in the above classes 

Highest Points in classes 187-192 to be awarded the ANNEXE PERPETUAL CUP

Framed or unframed - ready to hang

187. Sketching 

188. Watercolour 

189. Oils 

190. Mixed medium 

191. Acrylic 

192. Any other Medium 

Highest Points in classes 193-194 to be awarded the BEST WESTERN WHITE HORSE CUP 

193. Poem “Maybe This Time” minimum 8 lines and maximum 24 lines 

194. Short story “Not Guilty” – 500 to 1000 words 

To be submitted in advance to the Show Secretary: Mrs Hester Craig, by Friday 28th August 

Highest Points in classes 195-202 to be awarded the O'DONNELL PERPETUAL CUP

Original photograph unmounted and not to exceed 8” x 6” 

195. Golden Hour - that short window at sunrise or sunset when everything goes warm and the light does things you can't quite plan for.

196. Weathered & Worn - peeling paint, rusted hinges, cracked walls and the kind of details most people walk past without a second glance

197. Shadows & Silhouettes - strip a scene back to it's shapes and see what's more interesting when you leave things out.

198. Looking Up - we spend most of our time looking straight ahead so point your camera the other way and see what you've been missing

199. Rules of Odds - one subject, three objects, five ducks on a wall. See how composing around and odd number changes the feel of an image

200. After Dark - night photography of any kind, whether it's city lights, long exposures, a photograph taken at the time when most people have put their camera away.

201. Found Patterns - repetition and geometry hiding in plain sight, it's all around and once you start seeing it you can't stop

202. The Colour Blue - from the palest winter sky to the deepest stretch of ocean, make any blue the whole point of the image

CHECK OUT THE CALENDAR PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION here - details also on social media 

BLUEBERRY & LEMON LOAF CAKE (Class 71)

Light lemon sponge filled with juicy blueberries and finished with a simple lemon drizzle.

Ingredients

225g self-raising flour

1 tsp baking powder

175g caster sugar

175g unsalted butter, softened

3 large eggs

Zest of 2 lemons

2 tbsp lemon juice

3 tbsp milk

150g fresh blueberries

2 tbsp plain flour (for tossing blueberries)

100g icing sugar (for drizzle)

2-3 tbsp lemon juice (for drizzle)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan) and grease and line a 2lb loaf tin

1. Beat butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy.

2. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

3. Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and mik until combined.

4. Sift flour and baking powder together, then fold gently into the mixture.

5. Toss blueberries in plain flour, then fold
   carefully into the batter.

6. Spoon mixture into tin, level top, and bake for 45-55 minutes until a skewer comes out clean.

7. Cool in tin for 10 minutes, then transfer
   to a wire rack.

8. Mix icing sugar with lemon juice and
   drizzle over cooled cake

Under 12 years on Show Day

Copy this poem in your best handwriting. You can use lined or unlined paper.

My parents sent me to the shop to buy a loaf of bread 

But I came home with a puppy and a parakeet instead.

I also got a guinea pig, a hamster and a cat, 

A turtle and a lizard and a friendly little rat.

I also brought a monkey and a mongoose and a mouse.

Those animals went crazy when I brought them in the house.

They barked and yelped and hissed and chased my family out the door.

My parents never let me do the shopping anymore.