MUWAGA Summer Show 2024

 The MUWAGA Summer Show took place on SATURDAY AUGUST 10th at the Milton under Wychwood Village Hall, with tea and cake provided by Milton Womens’ Institute.

The MUWAGA Annual Produce Show had previously been a longstanding fixture in the village calendar and after an absence of five years MUWAGA decided that it was long due a return.

In the past, responsibility for its organisation had fallen on the shoulders of a few, so this time a subcommittee was formed to take on the task and share the workload.

Mary Edginton and Jane McMorrow making preparations before the start of the show

This group of newbies were helped enormously by past masters for which the subcommittee are enormously grateful. They told us to hold our nerve when two days to go we had only three entries and were met with mutterings and musings to the effect that there had been terrible weather and nothing had been grown to exhibit!

Sure enough on the closing day for entries many more appeared and were gratefully received with a big sigh of relief. The show could go on.

A steady build-up of interest!

A few hiccoughs occurred – one or two schedules appeared to differ, boxes for entry forms were mislaid and some classes were not well represented. Entrants worried about wonky beans and differing sized courgettes but on the day the overriding impression was of a most joyous occasion.

Visitors thrilled at the exhibits, took great delight at being involved in the “Peoples Vote” for the best flower arrangements and were fortified by magnificent teas supplied by Sandy Bradshaw and the WI, not to mention the chance of winning a hamper on the raffle together with talking ‘Big veg’ with Gerald.

At the end of the afternoon the cups were awarded. Special mention must go to Nicky Pratt and the other cup winners but every single entry was truly award-winning and gave enormous pleasure to the many visitors who attended in the afternoon. Also of course many thanks to our judges, for giving us their time and expertise.

Home » MUWAGA Summer Show 2024 » MUWAGA Summer Show August 2024
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MUWAGA Show Cherry Tomatoes First Prize.JPG
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MUWAGA Show Runner Beans First Prize.JPG
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Tricia Waples who won the Presidents cup for most points in the vegetable classes.JPG
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MUWAGA Show Nicky with Cup.jpg
Muwaga Show Onions Inspected.jpg
Muwaga Show Onions.jpg
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Thank you to everyone who participated!

Hilary Davey

2010

Gardeners’ Joy, Close to Home

Imagine all those beautiful large gardens we can visit in the Cotswolds!

But then,  I realise that that I get just as much pleasure walking around our villages and seeing what is growing in gardens, along pathways and in the hedgerows. 

In fact, visiting those superb large gardens can make you feel rather inadequate although half an hour back in your own plot puts everything to rights.

Throughout the year there are so many sights to lift the spirits.  The daffs around Milton playing field, beautiful magnolias in peoples gardens, fresh green foliage and moss on stones and tree trunks.  Wild flowers in the summer and the glorious sight of a mass of ox eye daisies.  Even bare trees silhouetted against a lowering sky.

It’s not just plants that catch the eye when you’re out walking.  There’s the pleasing sight of old buildings, iron railings, (a particular favourite of mine), a carefully tended front garden and of course the pleasure of stopping to chat with friends.

I feel gardeners are especially aware of the wildlife that surrounds us just because we spend so much time outdoors.  The fieldfares on fallen apples, the arrival of the swifts and swallows, the song of the skylark and the bats on a summer’s evening. 

Also rather less appealing, evidence of badgers after they’ve eaten all your carrots and laid the tops out neatly in a row and the mysterious disappearance of pea seeds until you see a fat mouse scuttling away.

Taking children to the Wild Garden is fun.  Seeing their delight as they explore the wood and ponds with the added attraction of DUCKS, a surefire winner.

Ducks in the Wild Garden, Shipton under Wychwood

Further afield visits to plant shows like Malvern and Chelsea are an opportunity to see the best of the best and to share your garden passions with knowledgeable experts.  Not to mention the joy of acquiring a new plant, well plants, which you just know you’ll be able to squeeze in somewhere!

June and July are special months in the garden.  All the hard work has paid off, the veg is growing and the plants are flowering their hearts out.  It’s time to sit down with a cuppa or even better a glass of wine and enjoy.

Nicky Pratt

Summer Events 2023

Here is a summary of recent MUWAGA gatherings during summer 2023

18 June – Wildflower walk led by Craig Blackwell. Notes on the walk are here >>

16 July – Gerald Stratford (Mr Big Veg) opened his garden at  12 The Sands to members . Another successful event for us all. Notes and pictures here >>

29 July – MUWAGA held a summer social gathering in Jim and Sandy Bradshaw’s Garden at Quakers Meet in Milton. Lively conversation, time to wander through a beautifully-maintained garden, afternoon tea and a raffle were the order of the day.

Jim and Sandy Bradshaw’s Garden

Membership Renewals & Programme Updates

Membership Applications and Renewals

Membership arrangements for the 2024/5 programme are now open. The cost remains at £6 per person. New membership cards will be available soon and valid from 1 May 2024. New cards will be issued when payment is received .

Payment Arrangements:

Directly into the MUWAGA Santander bank account – please use the details on the application form here. Please note: the form should be downloaded, completed and printed.

You can also deliver a Cheque or Cash at the van de Polls’ address at Threeways Bruern Road, Milton

Programme Updates

See our events page for latest programme updates

Happy Gardening!