Wed · 12 September 2026 · 13.00–17.00
Autumn Show 2026 — the trust's quietest, busiest afternoon of the year.
Twenty-two categories of produce, baking and preserves. A brass band from the Mansfield Concert Brass. Tea, raffle, and the year's rosettes. Open to all in the parish.
The Autumn Show is the longest-running fixture in our calendar. The first show was held in the autumn of 1923, in a marquee on the recreation ground; it has been held indoors at Westgate Parish Hall since 1962. This year is the 103rd show. We are co-hosting with the Mansfield Gardeners' Society, as we have done since 1998.
The categories.
Twenty-two judged categories in 2026, the same set as last year with one addition (Best Single Beetroot, after popular demand). The full list:
- Largest marrow (by weight)
- Longest runner bean (by length)
- Six uniform tomatoes (by appearance)
- Three uniform onions, dry skins
- Three potatoes, any variety
- One cabbage, summer or autumn
- One cauliflower
- One leek, blanched
- A single beetroot
- A bunch of fresh herbs (named)
- A vase of garden flowers
- A vase of dahlias
- A jar of preserves, made by the entrant
- A jar of chutney
- A loaf of home-made bread
- A plate of six uniform scones
- A fruit cake
- A children's class: a vegetable creature
- A children's class: a sunflower seed-head
- A class for tenants over 80
- Best in show, plot-grown
- The Allbright Cup — for kindness in a difficult year
How to enter.
Entries are taken at the parish-hall door from 09.00 on the day of the show, with judging closed at 11.30. Entry is free. Entrants must live or hold a plot in the ancient parish of Mansfield. You may enter as many categories as you like; one entry per category per person. A handwritten entry slip, with your name and plot number (if any), is folded under your produce.
What to bring.
Your produce. A jar, plate, or vase if your category requires one. A pencil to fill in your entry slip. A coat. The hall is heated but the doors are open all day.
Accessibility.
Westgate Parish Hall is on a single ground floor, step-free from the pavement to the main hall. An accessible toilet is on the right of the lobby. We have a hearing loop at the announcements lectern between 14.30 and 15.30. Assistance dogs are welcome. If you have a specific need we have not anticipated, write to us at [email protected] and we will do what we can.