Saturday 29 August 2026
Reay Village Hall was transformed into a vibrant showcase of local horticultural talent on Saturday as the Reay & District Garden Club staged its highly successful Annual Garden Show. Visitors were greeted by an impressive array of plants, flowers, fresh fruit, and vegetables, alongside tables stacked with tempting home baking and local produce.
Overall entry numbers bounced back strongly this year, comfortably exceeding the Club's historical average in the majority of competitive sections. The newly introduced class in the vegetable section for “one wonky vegetable” proved to be a particular favourite, drawing a record number of quirky entries in its third year of presentation.
The demanding task of evaluating this year's high standard of entries was handled by a dedicated panel of expert judges. Mrs Lorna Mackenzie oversaw the Floral Arrangements and Children’s exhibits, while Mrs Nona Mackay sampled and scored the Produce and Baking sections. Mr Liam Bain took on the meticulous responsibility of judging the Pot Plants, Cut Flowers, and Vegetables.
The competitive atmosphere was greatly enhanced by the creative talents of local youngsters. Pupils from Reay Primary School worked hard to produce a dazzling exhibition, which featured striking Kandinsky and Van Gogh-inspired artwork created by Primary 1–4 and Primary 5-7. The local Early Learning Centre children also contributed to the hall's vibrant décor with a delightful themed exhibit titled "From tiny acorns mighty oaks grow".
After exploring the competitive displays, attendees enjoyed afternoon refreshments in the main hall. The “tea room” provided the perfect opportunity for community members to rest, catch up, and discuss both the summer's erratic weather conditions and the exceptionally high standard of the exhibits on display. The successful day culminated in the official trophy presentation, with awards handed over by special guest Chris Parkinson, Head Gardener at the Castle of Mey Gardens.
For those looking to get involved ahead of next year's exhibition, the Reay & District Garden Club meets on the first Wednesday evening of every month in the Reay Village Hall. The club offers a varied monthly programme of talks, topical discussions, and social events. New members and friends are always welcome to attend.
Trophy winners at the 2026 Show
