The Village Show at Keysoe The Village Show at Keysoe 2026 2026 5th September 5th September Drop off entries from 9am Drop off entries from 9am Open to the Public 2pm Open to the Public 2pm Over Over 20 20 new categories new categories this year - something this year - something for everyone for everyone To be opened by To be opened by Les Evans Les Evans our amazing our amazing Concord Pilot speaker Concord Pilot speaker Held in Keysoe, but not just for Keysoe - everyone is welcome 2 This is a Rural Village Show for our community - for everyone in the community and as such our aim is to keep it accessible to everyone. Accessible in terms of finance - keeping it free for children to enter and free for everyone to attend during the afternoon. We want as many people as possible - old, young and everyone in between to enter the classes and come along and have a great afternoon - and maybe even go home with a few prizes. As I am sure you will all be aware - our costs are rising. It costs us about £2,500 each year to run the show. We work to raise these funds through the ‘Evening with’ event, the Plant Sale and the Jumble Sale - but it’s getting harder each year. Rather than charging more for classes or an entrance fee or charging for the climbing wall - we are asking, if you feel able, to consider making a donation towards the show. Every penny donated goes towards ensuring we can continue making the show a great day for everyone You can donate directly with the DONATION QR code - where you you can add an amount of your choice. Or use this link. Thank you again so much for all of your support It’s Your Village Show! How? https://pay.sumup.com/b2c/QE5U5F7R Simply type this in to your internet search browser on your phone or computer and it will take you directly to the Sum Up payment screen 3 A Fun Event for Everyone Entry Forms : Inside this schedule, or available from Nikki Brealey or Penny Heming (Kymbrook School House or Pump Cottage) or online at https://forms.office.com/r/MAPJ48rGKb or by scanning this ENTRY FORM QR code which will take you to the online entry form Staging : (dropping off your entries) from 9am - 10.45am Exhibits can only be accepted between these times Open to the Public : From 2pm - Opening by Les Evans All exhibits to be collected between 3.45pm and 4pm Presentations and Prizes appox 4.15pm Note : Uncollected or donated fruit and vegetables will be on sale at the end of the afternoon 4 Last year the tractors were so popular that we thought we should bring them back this year AND give them their very own class (optional to enter) The Best Dressed Tractor Class Brand new class for 2026 All tractors are welcome to come along just to join us during the afternoon or enter the Best Dressed Tractor Class. Class Number - 85 5 Children’s Show Classes There is no charge for children’s classes Cash prizes : 1st £5, 2nd £3 & 3rd £2 6 years and under 1 - Teacup of Hand Picked Flowers 2 - 3 Decorated Biscuits 3 - A Single or Pair of Decorated Wellie Boots 4 - Open Class - any art & craft 7 to 11 years 5 - 3 Cheese Straws - any type - you choose! 6 - A Clay Item - from any type of Clay including air-dry or polymer clay 7 - A Papercraft Item 8 - Open Class - any art & craft 12 to 16 years 9 - 3 Scones - any type - you choose! 10 - Something made from Recycled Material 11 - A Clay Item - from any type of clay including air-dry or polymer clay 12 - Open Class - any art & craft All ages welcome to enter the following 13 - Potato in a Pot 14 - Matchbox Challenge (details on page 7) 15 - Miniature Scarecrow - no bigger than 50cm tall - using anything from lollipop sticks, to socks, to straw - use your imaginations and dont forget to give him or her a name 6 Children’s Photography and Creative Writing Classes Photography All photographs to be no larger than 7x5 inches Open to children 12 years and under Max 3 entries per class 16 - Open class - anything you like 17 - Animals and or people 18 - Silly photo - make the judge smile 19 - Something sporty Names to be on the back of the photographs Pictures can be printed for the show by sending to nikki@oliviabea.co.uk Handwriting and Creative Writing - (details & poem on page 8) For 7 to 9yrs 20 - Handwriting - copy and illustrate the poem (page 8) For 10 to 11yrs 21 - Creative Writing - 500 words (details page 8) 7 How many things can you fit into a matchbox ? Open to all children age 12 and under The Matchbox Challenge! Another brand new class for 2026 Yummy Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd and a bonus prize for the most unusual/creative item in a matchbox Fit as many DIFFERENT items into a standard matchbox (5.8 cm × 3.6 cm × 1.5cm) how many could you do ... 25 ? 50 ?? ... more ? The rules! Only 1 of each item (no filling the box with grains of sand or 22 different seeds - a seed is a seed! All items listed on a piece of paper with your matchbox Your name must be on your matchbox. Your box can be decorated if you wish The lid must be able to slide shut smoothly without distorting No living or dead creatures No ‘yukky’ items such as toenails, hair, scabs etc !! Class Number - 14 8 Handwriting and Creative Writing 7 to 9yrs Handwriting (class 20) Copy and illustrate (optional) the following poem In the Garden In the Garden Pull the weeds Dig a hole Plant the seeds Cover them up Water them too Watch them grow In front of you! Make sure they sprout Get lots of sun To grow a plant is tons of fun 10 to 11yrs Creative Writing (class 21) A ‘500 words’ style piece of writing. A piece of writing, of about 500 words - as creative as it can be, to make the judge laugh, cry or just be blown away by what they are reading. Must be the child’s own words. 9 This year, for the first time, we have been given a one day exemption permit by the Parish Council to allow you to bring your WELL BEHAVED dog along with you during the afternoon. This has been granted as a trial for one year and the following conditions must be adhered to: Woofs and Walls ! Something else new for 2026 The rules! Dogs must be under control on short leads - no flexi leads Clear up after your dog - there will be bins and bags available Dogs will not be allowed in the play area or by the climbing wall. ... and for the second year, the climbing wall is coming back - YAY!! and it’s free to climb! It was so popular last year - how could we not bring it back again? For all ages, adults and children - come on - let’s have some mums & dads vs kids races up that wall ... 10 Adult Show Classes Children may also enter these classes for the standard 25p fee First Prizes are garden vouchers of £5. Second and third places are also awarded and some classes may also have a trophy Flower Section - variety to be stated if known 22 - Cactus Dahlia - single bloom (vase provided at the show) 23 - Decorative Dahlia - single bloom (vase provided at the show) 24 - Pompom Dahlia - single bloom (vase provided at the show) 25 - Dinner plate Dahlia - single bloom (vase provided at the show) 26 - Rose - single bloom (vase provided at the show) 27 - Vase (display) of Mixed Garden Flowers - (in your own vase) 28 - Hydrangea Head 29 - A Button Hole 30 - A Potted Edible Plant - eg chilli, tumbling toms, herbs 31 - A Home Grown Potted Plant - in an unusual container Fruit and Vegetable Section - presented on a paper plate provided at the show 32 - 3 Cooking Apples 33 - 3 Eating Apples 34 - 3 Pears 35 - 3 Plums 36 - 3 Tomatoes 37 - Truss of Cherry Tomatoes 38 - 3 Beetroot 39 - 3 Carrots 40 - 3 Brown Onions 11 41 - 3 Potatoes 42 - 3 Runner Beans 43 - 3 Courgettes 44 - 1 Cucumber 45 - 3 Spring Onions 46 - 3 Figs 47 - 1 Pumpkin 48 - Gordon’s Basket - to be filled with your own produce which can include flowers 49 - Hedgerow Harvest - a container to be filled with foraged produce 50 - A Collection of Herbs - in a container of your choice 51- 6 Fresh Eggs Home Produce Section 52 - A Jar of RED Jam 53 - A Jar of Chutney (winner to be donated to Dr J Palmer of Palmer Sports) 54 - A Jar of Marmalade Spirits Section - to be exhibited in a ‘show’ bottle to be provided at the show (or can be collected the day before from Nikki Brealey) 55 - Sloe Gin 56 - Flavoured Spirit 12 Adult Show Classes continued Children may also enter these classes for the standard 25p fee First Prizes are garden vouchers of £5. Second and third places are also awarded and some classes may also have a trophy Cakes - open to all 57 - Blackberry and Apple Pie - to your own recipe To be presented in the dish it was cooked in 58 - Lemon Drizzle Cake - to your own recipe To be presented on a 10” paper plate provided by the show 59 - Tear and Share Bread - to your own recipe To be presented on your board New for 2026, ‘ The Keysoe Classic’ a lovely fruit cake, which will be a regular going forward 60 - Keysoe Classic Cake - recipe on page 17 To be presented on a 10” paper plate provided by the show Art 61 - Open Class - any subject, any medium, The picture must be able to be hung on the day Farmers Class - all varieties to be named and presented in a container provided by the show 62 - Oil Seed Rape 63 - Spring Wheat 64 - Winter Wheat 65 - Spring Barley 66 - Winter Barley 13 67 - Beans 68 - Open Class Adult Photography - open to everyone 13yrs and over All photographs to be no larger than 7x5 inches and names to be on the back of the photographs Max 3 entries per class 69 - Open Class - anything you like, but no animals or people 70 - Animals and/or People 71 - Humorous - something to make the judge smile 72 - Sunset/Sunrise 73 - A Black & White Image 74 - Water - anything from a water droplet to a crashing sea! Pictures can be printed for the show by sending to nikki@oliviabea.co.uk Craft and Hobbies 75 - Needlework / Fabric related craft (could include hand embroidery, cushions and other needlework) 76 - Crochet item 77 - Knitted Item - any ply 78 - A Papercraft Item 79 - A Jewellery Item - any medium - eg silver wire, polymer clay, silver clay, paper clay, beads, cord, metal, plastic, felt, resin 80 - A Creative Wreath - with no florals (no larger than 40cm) Must be able to be hung 14 Adult Show Classes continued Children may also enter these classes for the standard 25p fee First Prizes are garden vouchers of £5. Second and third places are also awarded and some classes may also have a trophy Craft and Hobbies - continued 81 - An Upcycled or Make Do and Mend Item - accompanied by a photo of the original item/materials, eg furniture, clothing, home-decor, or repurposed item. 82 - Greetings Card 83 - Cross Stitch 84 - Open Class - anything not mentioned / included elsewhere Tractors - Sunday best, fairy lights or just go crazy! - dress your tractor to impress 85 - Best Dressed Tractor Oh No! - no charge for this class - it’s for anything that went wrong - in production, presentation, transportation or germination! Enter now or on the day... 86 - Disaster Class 15 Available from 2.30pm Burgers During the afternoon there will be .... The Bar! Yes ! - another first for 2026 - the bar will be open during the afternoon Provided by the amazing ladies of the WI in the large Tea Tent Afternoon Tea Craft Stands Local crafts and makers will be joining us Ice Creams, Children’s Activities and a Face Painter all regular and popular parts of the village show 16 Notes for Guidance and Show Rules 1 - While it is accepted that young children need help with handling tools, the exhibited item must be their own work 1a - Your pot and potato will be supplied with instructions. It will be judged on the weight of the potatoes when the pot is emptied at the show 2 - Oasis can be used to support flowers 3 - If you intend to exhibit a large item in the craft or art section please inform a member of the committee well in advance of the show, so that the appropriate space and or hanging can be arranged 4 - In the fruit and vegetable classes, stalks should be left on apples, pears, plums and tomatoes. Root vegetables should be trimmed 5 - It is not necessary for all of the truss of tomatoes in the cherry tomato class to be at the same stage of ripeness. 6 - Gin and Spirits to be exhibited in a ‘show bottle’ to be provided on the day or collected from Nikki the day before 7 - The Stewards may advise on the class to be entered 8 - All exhibits in flower, fruit and vegetables sections shall have been grown in the exhibitors own garden or allotment 9 - Competitors may enter more than one item in each class but will only receive a single award for that class (Max 3 for photography classes) 10 - Sizes of exhibits, where stated, must be complied with 11 - Vegetables and flowers must be clean and the quantity exhibited must be as specified in the schedule 12 - Containers, unless stated otherwise must be provided by the exhibitor 13 - All exhibits to be staged and ready for judging by 10.45am, at which time the rooms/tents will be cleared. Only judges and officials will remain 14 - All exhibits, whether successful or not, must remain on show until 3.45pm 15 - Fruit, vegetables, produce & flowers uncollected by 4pm will be boxed & sold 16 - Any case arising and not provided for in the above rules shall be decided by the chairman and committee and their decision shall be final 17 - The show committee cannot be held responsible for any loss of, or damage to, the exhibitors person or property 18 - All cups and trophies will be held for one year only or kept in the trophy cabinet 19 - The Peoples Choice trophy is presented based on votes cast during the show 20 - The use of sprays or other artificial aids is not allowed for the display of produce and flowers 17 ‘Keysoe Classic’ Cake Recipe 250g currants 200g raisins 200g sultanas 150g glace cherries 200g dried apricots 150g dried cranberries 100g mixed peel 1 orange and 1 lemon, both zested 175ml brandy or bourbon, plus extra for feeding Method Put all the dried fruit, the mixed peel and citrus zests in a large bowl, then pour over the brandy/bourbon. Stir, cover and leave to soak overnight. The next day, heat the oven to 150C/130C fan/gas 2. Line the base and side of a deep 9.5”/23cm cake tin with a double layer of baking parchment, so it comes a few centimetres above the rim. Beat the butter, sugar and treacle together in a large bowl using an electric whisk, until pale and creamy. Alternatively, use a stand mixer. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl every so often. Sift the flour, baking powder and spices into a separate bowl, then stir this into the wet ingredients along with the ground almonds until combined. Stir in the rehydrated fruit along with the soaking liquid, then spoon the batter into the prepared tin and level the surface with the back of a spoon. Bake for 2hrs 25 mins -2 hrs 30 mins, or until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. If the cake starts to darken too quickly, cover with foil. Leave to cool completely in the tin, then prick small holes all over the surface using a cocktail stick or skewer and brush over a little brandy/bour - bon. Wrap the cake in baking parchment, then a sheet of foil. Store in an airtight container. Optional - feed the cake with 1-2 tbsp brandy/bourbon each week for three or four weeks. 250g unsalted butter, softened 250g muscovado sugar ½ tbsp treacle 4 large eggs 275g plain flour ½ tsp baking powder 2½ tsp mixed spice 1½ tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground ginger 100g ground almonds 18 Show Committee Chairman - Nikki Brealey - nikki@oliviabea.co.uk - 07774 456825 Kymbrook School House, Kimbolton Rd, MK44 2HH Vice Chair - Lucy Bailey - lucy.a_bailey@yahoo.com - 07986 846106 Oxford Farm, Keysoe Row East, MK44 2JD Secretary - Joy Maddison - joymaddison7@gmail.com - 01234 709190 Close Cottage, Riseley Rd, MK44 2HT Treasurer - Ruth Gill - ruthegill@googlemail.com - 01234 808813 Highfield Lodge, Wybridge, Keysoe, MK44 2HL Steve Bruce - s.bruce@btinternet.com - 01234 376490 North View, Keysoe Row West, MK44 2JF Charmain Felts - hello@letssortyourstuff.co.uk - 07745 607400 Hilldale, High Street, Little Staughton, MK44 2BH Penny Heming - penny.heming@btinternet.com - 01234 378878 Pump Cottage, Keysoe Row East, MK44 2JB Marion Turner - marion.e.turner@btinternet.com - 01234 376648 Copse Farm, Keysoe Row East, MK44 2JD Carolyn Lightfoot - carolynlightfoot41@gmail.com - 07720 699731 Chapel Cottage, Keysoe Row East, MK44 2JB Chris Morgan - cnmorgan@hotmail.com - 01234 378954 Christies, Keysoe Row East, MK44 2JB Sarah Wady - sarahwady@me.com - 07967 813328 Orchard Cottage, Riseley Road, MK44 2HT Sheri Morgan - cnmorgan@hotmail.com - 01234 378954 Christies, Keysoe Row East, MK44 2JB 19 Thank you! The Show Committee would like to extend special thanks to the following for their ongoing and valuable support of the show Palmer Sports Milton Ernest Garden Centre The Crown, Little Staughton Bootsies Nursery (Cleverly Horticulture Ltd) Dates for 2027 An Evening With - 13th March Plant Sale - 24th April Jumble Sale - 8th May Village Show - 4th September 20 The Village Show at Keysoe 2025