It’s time to primp, preen and de-bug those roses – organisers of next month’s 60th annual show put on by the Te Awamutu Rose Society are hoping for a turnout that befits their diamond jubilee.
Te Awamutu Rose Society president Diana Jones, right, with last year’s president Anne Oliedam. Photo: Viv Posselt
The November 1-2 show, which will be held at the Te Awamutu Rugby Sports and Recreation Club for the second successive year, is gearing up to mark its significant anniversary in grand style.
With that in mind, organisers have introduced two new classes for first-time exhibitors (adults and children), with a trophy for the first placegetter in each category as well as first, second and third prizes. Further adding to the celebratory theme is the call for anyone to enter the special Diamond Jubilee Pedestal Arrangement category.
A jubilee dinner for invited guests will be held on November 1.
Entry is open to any enthusiastic rose-grower, be they award-winning or first-timers, and there is no need to be a member of the rose society. There is no cost to entering, but those doing must pick up a schedule beforehand containing details on the exhibit classes and categories. They are available online, or from Te Awamutu i-Site and Mega Mitre 10 Te Awamutu.
As with previous shows, all public entries need to be with exhibition organisers at the venue between 4pm and 6pm on the evening before the show – Thursday, October 31.
Te Awamutu Rose Society president and show manager Diana Jones said it was essential to have the blooms in then to allow time for set up and staging prior to the show opening the following day.
“Exhibitors can put in two entries each, and vases are supplied,” she said. “Judging will be done on the Friday morning and the show will open to the public from 1pm on that day. The presentation of trophies will be at 3pm on the Friday.”
Saturday show times for the public are 9am to 3pm.
Jones said the inclusion of two new categories this year was intended to further boost public interest.
2023 Rose Society president Anne Oliedam said last year’s show, which attracted around 330 entries from around the region, was one of the biggest in recent years.
That event was followed by a visit to Te Awamutu’s rose gardens by international rosarians Michael Marriott and Paul Zimmerman.
Te Awamutu Rose Society’s Linnie Jones pictured at the town’s rose gardens last year with visiting international rosarians Michael Marriott, left, and Paul Zimmerman. Photo: Viv Posselt
