ABOUT US

Celebrating our 90th anniversary in 2025, Warbleton & District Horticultural and Poultry Society (WDHPS) is a small, local, community organisation based in the village of Rushlake Green, Heathfield, East Sussex, we are more commonly known as the Rushlake Green Flower Show. It was established to support and encourage an interest in horticultural and poultry activity whilst providing cheap sustainable food for families. We are affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society and membership is open to anyone for a small annual fee of £5 which has multiple benefits – see the membership page.

The Society’s main activities are centred on our annual show, local residents are encouraged to enter horticultural produce and handicrafts for judging – with some classes exclusive to juniors. Other smaller events take place throughout the year and are primarily focused on raising funds, interests and raising our profile. In recent years all activities have taken place either on the village green or in the local Dunn Memorial Hall.

The Summer Show event is focused on competitive exhibits from members and the general public. A detailed schedule can be found on the Events page for each event, this will provide you with everything you need to know including the show rules, exhibit classes, award categories and entry forms.

We welcome advertising and sponsorship as these pay for our prize money and printing costs in order to keep our Show moving forward year on year.

OUR NEXT EVENTS:

VISIT TO RAPKYNS NURSERY on Tuesday, 20th May at 6:30pm

We have organised an evening visit to Rapkyns Nursery in Street End Lane, Broad Oak with a talk from Morag Hockin, tour of the nursery and refreshments with donations to Motor Neurone Disease Association.  Please contact Graham Mills on wdhps.membership.gmail.co.uk or 07506 050351 for more information and the offer of a car-share from Rushlake Green or Broad Oak.

THE ANNUAL SUMMER SHOW on Saturday, 26th July from 1pm on the Green TN21 9QE.

Look out for our printed schedules for the 133 classes to enter in the marquee or visit the events page soon to see the classes, rules and download an entry form on-line.  There will also be children’s races, a dog show, visit the tea tent and our Pimms tent and relax whilst watching the fun on the Green. Warbleton Brass band will kick the afternoon off at 1:15pm and don’t forget the raffles and stalls galore! 

Also, please join us in the evening to dance the night away with the fantastic band, Taylormade. Tickets will be available soon.

Everyone welcome 

Thank you for your continued support.

** NEWS FOR POULTRY KEEPERS **

On 21st March 2024, DEFRA changed the rules about registration as a keeper of less than 50 poultry and other captive birds from a voluntary to a compulsory basis. This takes place from 1st October 2024 and includes the following species:

chickens, turkeys, aviary birds, birds of prey, cassowaries, ducks, emus, geese, guinea fowls, kiwis, ostriches, partridges, pheasants, pigeons, psittacines (for example parrots, budgies and cockatiels), quails and rheas

More information can be found at the following websites:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/register-as-a-keeper-of-less-than-50-poultry-or-other-captive-birds

You can also register by email or post using the form ‘Register to be a keeper of less than 50 poultry or other captive birds (IRA82)’.