0:00:02 > 0:00:03Across the country,
0:00:03 > 0:00:07thousands of farming families work tirelessly around the clock.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11Bring them up, Isabel! Well done!
0:00:11 > 0:00:12Here they come!
0:00:12 > 0:00:14Shake it, baby, shake it!
0:00:14 > 0:00:16But there's one day each year...
0:00:16 > 0:00:17Come on, girl, out you go.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19..when they get to leave the daily routine behind.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22Woohoo!
0:00:22 > 0:00:24These are show days...
0:00:24 > 0:00:26Welcome to the Pembrokeshire County Show.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29..when they come together as a community...
0:00:29 > 0:00:30Salute!
0:00:30 > 0:00:33..to showcase the fruits of their labour...
0:00:33 > 0:00:34Had a quick look at the competition.
0:00:34 > 0:00:35I'm in with a chance.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39..and try to win prizes for their breed champions...
0:00:39 > 0:00:42Well done. Wahey!
0:00:42 > 0:00:44It's showbusiness, folks.
0:00:44 > 0:00:45..and award-winning producer.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47I got first!
0:00:48 > 0:00:50You've had the last two jars.
0:00:50 > 0:00:51There will be highs...
0:00:51 > 0:00:53Yes! Yes!
0:00:53 > 0:00:55..and lows...
0:00:55 > 0:00:57No! No, no, no.
0:00:57 > 0:01:03..for the dedicated farmers who give everything to walk away a champion.
0:01:03 > 0:01:04No way!
0:01:14 > 0:01:19We spend more than £2 billion on flowers each year in the UK -
0:01:19 > 0:01:22a staggering 90% of them are imported.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27However, there is a growing group of enthusiasts
0:01:27 > 0:01:29who are determined to break that trend.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33Natalie Davis from Worcestershire...
0:01:33 > 0:01:35I do things the natural way,
0:01:35 > 0:01:37the hard way, my husband keeps telling me.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39..and Cate Morris from Gloucestershire...
0:01:39 > 0:01:43They'll make sparkly Christmas tree decorations, won't they?
0:01:43 > 0:01:46..are both equally passionate about flowers...
0:01:47 > 0:01:51..and are hoping to make their mark at this year's Malvern Autumn Show.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54You're never happy with it.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56You never just walk away and say, "Enough."
0:01:56 > 0:01:59- Are you exhausted?- It's one of the best days I've ever had.- Really?
0:01:59 > 0:02:01- Absolutely.- Oh, that's great.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05This is a prestigious celebration of spectacular colour
0:02:05 > 0:02:06and variety.
0:02:06 > 0:02:10Winning here will help gain recognition for their creativity
0:02:10 > 0:02:12and help build business.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22In the rich arable pastures of Worcestershire,
0:02:22 > 0:02:25the Davis family is building a different kind of organic farm.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30We're a working flower farm.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33We've got about three acres now of flowers, which we're growing,
0:02:33 > 0:02:35some inside, some outside.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39Watering, weeding and tending to the flowers is a family affair.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43Two-year-old Elodie loves getting stuck in.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53Andy and I grew all the flowers for our wedding.
0:02:53 > 0:02:54Mum helped a lot.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57And since then, the business has kind of grown from there.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00People have said to me, "Oh, can you grow this for me, can you grow that?"
0:03:00 > 0:03:02And then here we are as a fully fledged working business
0:03:02 > 0:03:04three years on.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07I really want this to be a part of the resurgence of British flowers,
0:03:07 > 0:03:08which we are seeing nationwide.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14Like Elodie, Natalie's passion for gardening started early.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17I used to grow sunflowers in my mum's garden,
0:03:17 > 0:03:19and just the kind of pure magic of seeing something emerge
0:03:19 > 0:03:22from the soil that you planted a few months earlier
0:03:22 > 0:03:24is just something so special and so captivating as a child.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27So if I can make a business out of doing that love,
0:03:27 > 0:03:29then I'm onto a real winner.
0:03:30 > 0:03:35Running a photography business from home means husband Andy is always
0:03:35 > 0:03:37around to lend a hand.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39I never thought I'd be farming flowers.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42I married a teacher originally, and then, yeah,
0:03:42 > 0:03:46she has these wacky ideas where farming and flowers came together,
0:03:46 > 0:03:48- I suppose.- Yeah.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50I put this up, it was my Christmas present to you,
0:03:50 > 0:03:52and it took me four days, so...
0:03:52 > 0:03:54It's a little bit more complicated than...
0:03:54 > 0:03:56Because he is very pedantic, very particular, aren't you?
0:03:56 > 0:03:58Well, I have to be. That's my job, isn't it?
0:03:58 > 0:04:01I'm a... I'm a perfectionist.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03Yeah.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06Andy's background in photography is fantastic.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08Bring it in a bit close to you, slightly.
0:04:08 > 0:04:09That's nice, that's nice.
0:04:09 > 0:04:11Yeah.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14It enables me to kind of really boost my media profile
0:04:14 > 0:04:17and to help my websites and things like that.
0:04:18 > 0:04:19Yeah, that's great.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22- I like that one. The flowers look really good, don't they?- Yeah.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26There's no age limit when it comes to gardening
0:04:26 > 0:04:31and Elodie proves you don't need grown-up wellies to be a farmer.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33Shall we go and see the chickens? Come on, then.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37We just wanted to do something different and to raise a family
0:04:37 > 0:04:39on a farm, and that's really important to us,
0:04:39 > 0:04:41to be able to have space and the energy to be able
0:04:41 > 0:04:45to run around and enjoy our lovely landscape.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47Morning, chickens. You all OK today?
0:04:50 > 0:04:55And a waste-not, want-not approach ensures Natalie gets the most out of
0:04:55 > 0:04:57everything.
0:04:57 > 0:04:58Chickens are really important for me
0:04:58 > 0:05:01because the poo goes down, and I use it to feed my flowers, and it's a
0:05:01 > 0:05:04really essential nutrient that I give back to my soil,
0:05:04 > 0:05:05which is fantastic.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07So I look after my soil and my soil looks after me.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11She's gone out. Cordelia's gone out.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14- Yay!- Yay!
0:05:14 > 0:05:16And it's also great for Elodie to grow up learning where eggs
0:05:16 > 0:05:18come from and having chickens as part of her life.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20It's important for me as well.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24Pass them to Mummy. What a good girl you are!
0:05:24 > 0:05:27Fantastic. Two eggs today.
0:05:27 > 0:05:28Well done, Ella.
0:05:31 > 0:05:36Equally important is Natalie's grown-not-flown idea
0:05:36 > 0:05:38that lies at the heart of the farm.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41I want to completely change the way that the British public think about
0:05:41 > 0:05:44flowers. Unfortunately, now there is a real trend
0:05:44 > 0:05:46where British roses are grown overseas,
0:05:46 > 0:05:50and they grow them without the scent,
0:05:50 > 0:05:52because the scent attracts bugs and pests.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55I couldn't think of anything worse than a rose without any scent,
0:05:55 > 0:05:59so, for me, I want to grow proper roses as they should be grown,
0:05:59 > 0:06:02and we're encouraging the scent. I like the bees, I like the bugs.
0:06:02 > 0:06:03They are part of it.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07Having recently invested in a polytunnel,
0:06:07 > 0:06:10the couple aim to grow by outsmarting the weather.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13Dahlias are kind of my main crop in the polytunnel.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16They just really thrive in this environment, actually.
0:06:16 > 0:06:17They like to be nice and warm,
0:06:17 > 0:06:19they like to be a little bit protected from the slugs,
0:06:19 > 0:06:21which I'm always fighting a battle against.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23I do midnight slug hunts out there.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25I come out and I collect all the slugs and put them
0:06:25 > 0:06:26in bottles and all sorts.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28Because I don't use chemicals,
0:06:28 > 0:06:29I do things the natural way -
0:06:29 > 0:06:31the hard way, that my husband keeps telling me!
0:06:33 > 0:06:35As well as slug hunting,
0:06:35 > 0:06:38Natalie's working day often includes meeting customers,
0:06:38 > 0:06:40who come directly to her.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43We're going to have a party...
0:06:43 > 0:06:46- OK.- And I'm looking at having something, as a centrepiece,
0:06:46 > 0:06:49something that's colourful, something that is fragrant.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51OK, brilliant. I'll show you some red.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54They're beautiful. They're like pom-poms.
0:06:54 > 0:06:55They're lovely, aren't they?
0:06:55 > 0:06:57I think, to make it a bit bolder,
0:06:57 > 0:06:59I think the white pom-poms would be brilliant.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01- Yeah, they'll look lovely. - They're beautiful.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03- Yes.- And they'd look lovely with the red pom-poms.
0:07:03 > 0:07:04Yes, OK.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07That's got a lovely shape as well.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10- It's gorgeous.- Yeah.
0:07:10 > 0:07:11Lovely. Really lovely.
0:07:12 > 0:07:16Whether flowers or flock, a farm is still a farm,
0:07:16 > 0:07:21meaning 365 days of toil to get the job done.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23It is like having animals - if you're not here and you leave them,
0:07:23 > 0:07:27they're just not going to survive without you, so it is very much,
0:07:27 > 0:07:29it needs me to be in charge all the time, really.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34People think flowers is a nice sort of prettification of the landscape,
0:07:34 > 0:07:35but actually it's gruelling work.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37It's physical labour.
0:07:37 > 0:07:38It's long hours.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41It's not an easy job, definitely not,
0:07:41 > 0:07:43but I couldn't do it if I didn't love it.
0:07:48 > 0:07:5140 miles south, in the north Cotswolds,
0:07:51 > 0:07:55Deerhurst Farm is home to another kind of flower enthusiast.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00Cate Morris is a busy mum and farmer's wife
0:08:00 > 0:08:03living on 500 acres of land.
0:08:03 > 0:08:08We farm cereals mainly with maize, oilseed rapes and barley - linseed,
0:08:08 > 0:08:10now and again, which is a little bit different.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13But her main passion is flowers.
0:08:14 > 0:08:19My mum was always a gardener and my gran, I suppose, brought up,
0:08:19 > 0:08:22and they always arranged flowers from the garden.
0:08:24 > 0:08:25For 30 years,
0:08:25 > 0:08:29Cate has been responsible for whipping her small village
0:08:29 > 0:08:31into a floral frenzy.
0:08:32 > 0:08:37Deerhurst Flower Festival is, for a small village of 27 houses, is huge.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40It started about 30 years ago.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43From that point on, it's happened every other year,
0:08:43 > 0:08:46and it attracts around 3,000 visitors.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49It raises over £20,000 for the church.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53Where we're sat here is completely different.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57Teas, crafts, all sorts, ice cream stalls, you know,
0:08:57 > 0:08:59everything you can think of.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01It's actually the biggest community thing we do, really.
0:09:03 > 0:09:08With a vast farm to keep ticking over, and a busy family to run,
0:09:08 > 0:09:11Cate doesn't always have time to dedicate to her flowers.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16Well, my nickname is Teapot cos I'm that small.
0:09:16 > 0:09:17It's a terrible name.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19It sounds like something out of the '50s.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21A support mechanism, I suppose.
0:09:21 > 0:09:22Come on, Eric!
0:09:24 > 0:09:28I don't go out to work, but I do work hard every day.
0:09:28 > 0:09:29Come on, then. Good girl.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33I support him with all his, you know,
0:09:33 > 0:09:37agronomy and things like that that happen, you know, all the paperwork,
0:09:37 > 0:09:40the holiday cottage, turnaround, bookings, all that stuff,
0:09:40 > 0:09:42plus look after the kids -
0:09:42 > 0:09:44you know, everything that comes with, you know,
0:09:44 > 0:09:46everyday life.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50Husband Tim does the bulk of the farming with the help
0:09:50 > 0:09:52of 17-year-old son Harry.
0:09:55 > 0:09:5815-year-old daughter Bridget is still at school.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01She's the one who introduced pigs to the farm.
0:10:01 > 0:10:02Hello, Bella.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05Good girl.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07Bella's a Gloucester Old Spot.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11She is due to have piglets tomorrow.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15I show them at the Three Counties Show.
0:10:15 > 0:10:20Bella and Didi next door and Acorn, who's outside.
0:10:20 > 0:10:21Oh, and Eric.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27Giving the pigs breakfast is just one of the many jobs that ends up
0:10:27 > 0:10:28on Cate's daily list.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32Good girl. What are you doing? Come on, then.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35A farmer's daughter and former vet's nurse,
0:10:35 > 0:10:37Cate is a dab hand with livestock.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39This is my natural comfort zone.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41This is what I've been used to all my life, really,
0:10:41 > 0:10:43whether it be sheep, cattle, pigs.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45I'm happiest out here, messing about with the animals.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49There's quite a few mouths to feed,
0:10:49 > 0:10:52including the reluctant Acorn.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55I'm going to throw some nuts on her shed to wake her up
0:10:55 > 0:10:57because they don't hear very well.
0:10:57 > 0:10:58Come on, Akes!
0:11:02 > 0:11:03Acorn!
0:11:07 > 0:11:10Come on, pig! Acorn, come on!
0:11:10 > 0:11:11Come on!
0:11:13 > 0:11:15Come on, then. Good girl.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17What a good pig.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19Let's have it, then.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22That's it. She's breeding size, so ultimately,
0:11:22 > 0:11:25you're trying to breed better Old Spots all the time.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28Those that don't make the cut then go into the food chain
0:11:28 > 0:11:31and return as sausages.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39With such a busy life,
0:11:39 > 0:11:42the local church provides a perfect sanctuary
0:11:42 > 0:11:44to practise her arranging.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47A good pedestal, you... Well, any good arrangement -
0:11:47 > 0:11:49you have to put your foliage in first
0:11:49 > 0:11:52because that's really the structure.
0:11:52 > 0:11:53So if you haven't got structure,
0:11:53 > 0:11:56it doesn't matter how fantastic your flowers are,
0:11:56 > 0:11:57it won't look particularly brilliant.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03There's one thing scissor-happy Cate will have to watch out for at this
0:12:03 > 0:12:06- year's show. - I'm renowned for making a mess,
0:12:06 > 0:12:08so I have to be a bit tidier at Malvern.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11The person next to you gets pretty fed up if you start flinging stalks
0:12:11 > 0:12:13at them and leaving things they can trip over.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19Cate is the ultimate multitasker and the backbone of the farm.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24It's a varied and very special life.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26You know, one day you're mucking out pigs and the next day
0:12:26 > 0:12:30you're dressed up and going to a ball, you know.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32It's just ace, it's brilliant.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35I think you're quite privileged to actually be able to call yourself a
0:12:35 > 0:12:36farmer's wife.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48Back in Worcestershire, Natalie and her dad John are ploughing,
0:12:48 > 0:12:53with the help of their '60s vintage tractor Mehitable.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56We've had such a great fantastic first year of flower farming
0:12:56 > 0:12:59that I've decided to plough up even more of our land,
0:12:59 > 0:13:02so we are going to be almost doubling the size for next year
0:13:02 > 0:13:06because we've had a huge demand for weddings and people seem really
0:13:06 > 0:13:08interested in buying British flowers.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12John is his daughter's biggest fan and supports her dreams.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17It's got to be done. The return from conventional farming nowadays is
0:13:17 > 0:13:20pitiful when you consider the investment and so,
0:13:20 > 0:13:23if there are other ways in which more can be earned from the land,
0:13:23 > 0:13:26and especially doing something that you love doing, it's got to be good.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29And especially if you can find a business where your father comes
0:13:29 > 0:13:33- over and does all the hard work for you, it's even better, isn't it? - SHE CHUCKLES
0:13:33 > 0:13:35It helps having Dad next door, doesn't it?
0:13:35 > 0:13:37- It helps you!- It does help me, yeah!
0:13:37 > 0:13:39It's great that she's been able to
0:13:39 > 0:13:41perhaps corner a little bit of a market
0:13:41 > 0:13:43that might bring back a healthy return.
0:13:43 > 0:13:44We'll have to wait and see.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50A win at this year's Malvern floral competition
0:13:50 > 0:13:52could help sow the seeds for success.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55For me, the ability to compete, actually, is a real chance
0:13:55 > 0:13:57to kind of showcase British flowers
0:13:57 > 0:13:59and to kind of really show people that we can do just
0:13:59 > 0:14:03as good with British flowers as we can with imported flowers,
0:14:03 > 0:14:06which are the kind of the mainstay and the norm for lots of people.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11And it's clear to see where Natalie's rustic style comes from.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15I get inspired from nature, really -
0:14:15 > 0:14:18from the colours that I see out when I'm walking,
0:14:18 > 0:14:20from the wild flowers that are so abundant in all the hedgerows
0:14:20 > 0:14:22and from those kind of shapes and tones.
0:14:22 > 0:14:26I go for walks with the dog and I'll see wonderful flowing trees,
0:14:26 > 0:14:28and I'll use that within my floral art.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30I tend to work with nature rather than against it,
0:14:30 > 0:14:33so I make sure that the lines all sort of seem to be natural
0:14:33 > 0:14:35and seem to be wild-looking.
0:14:35 > 0:14:39This will be Natalie's first year competing at this level.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41I'm going to be collaborating with other members
0:14:41 > 0:14:44of Flowers From The Farm, who are all coming together
0:14:44 > 0:14:46to try and showcase British flowers,
0:14:46 > 0:14:49so I won't be on my own. I'll be with some of the volunteers as well.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51It's a very exciting time.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53We're up against quite a few very good florists,
0:14:53 > 0:14:56so it'll be interesting to see how our flowers go down.
0:14:56 > 0:15:01With such ambitious plans, she needs to ask her dad another favour.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05So this beauty is going to be featuring at Malvern Autumn Show.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08- She's going to do what?- She's going to be the centrepiece,
0:15:08 > 0:15:10so that the public can come in and see her.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13- You don't want me to wash it? - No, definitely.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15I want her to look rustic and... She's a working vehicle.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17- Well, she is.- She does a job, doesn't she?- Yeah, yeah.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20I want her to go straight to Malvern, really looking
0:15:20 > 0:15:21as she does, actually.
0:15:23 > 0:15:24As well as John,
0:15:24 > 0:15:28her mother Roz is also pitching in to help.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31I've always enjoyed painting.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33- You're very good at art.- I would probably have liked to have gone
0:15:33 > 0:15:36to art school, but it was not to be,
0:15:36 > 0:15:39so I went into agriculture instead!
0:15:39 > 0:15:40Far more fun, driving a tractor!
0:15:40 > 0:15:42THEY LAUGH
0:15:42 > 0:15:44It's a real first. We've never shown at Malvern, have we?
0:15:44 > 0:15:46- No.- I couldn't do it without Mum
0:15:46 > 0:15:49cos she's my horticultural expert, and I really need Mum
0:15:49 > 0:15:51every now and then to come and say,
0:15:51 > 0:15:53"Am I doing this right, or what's up with this particular
0:15:53 > 0:15:54"plant?" And she's just there.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56She just knows it all. She's just fantastic.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00- You're the expert.- We're just going to go and have some fun, aren't we?
0:16:00 > 0:16:02- Yeah. We're going to go and have a lot of fun.- Yeah.
0:16:04 > 0:16:09Time for Natalie to share the plans for her vision.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11- I was thinking a big front one on the grille...- Yeah.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14..with something trailing, so it sort of comes down.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16Cos when they walk in the hall, that's what they're going to see,
0:16:16 > 0:16:19- so that needs to be full, doesn't it?- Absolutely.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23The RHS judges are renowned for being incredibly difficult to
0:16:23 > 0:16:26please. They once didn't let someone have a gold standard because
0:16:26 > 0:16:29a little bit of pot was showing, so they're really tight on standards,
0:16:29 > 0:16:32so it's going to be a really difficult environment
0:16:32 > 0:16:33to please those judges!
0:16:35 > 0:16:39And a preshow run-through goes some way to calm the nerves.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41I'm just going to weave up something
0:16:41 > 0:16:43cos I want it more than just ivy wrapped around.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46I think we need some fresh flowers coming out of it, don't we?
0:16:46 > 0:16:49We could wrap it in hessian, nice and rustic.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51- Yeah, we could do. That would be lovely.- Mm-hm.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53But then, what do you think about the seat?
0:16:53 > 0:16:54I think it looks pretty cool as it is.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57- You still want to see the tractor... - So just leave it like that?- Yes.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59OK.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01As well as the judges' high standards,
0:17:01 > 0:17:05Natalie will have a lot more to contend with.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08The difficult thing with us is we're dealing with a natural product,
0:17:08 > 0:17:10so that's a real challenge for us, is that we're up against the time
0:17:10 > 0:17:13in terms of, you know, the flowers will wilt if we do it too early,
0:17:13 > 0:17:15so it's a really crucial timing.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18That's the pressure, really, for Malvern Autumn Show.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29In the North Cotswolds, Cate's mind is also on the show.
0:17:30 > 0:17:34Oh, it's like a badge of honour to win a class at Malvern, you know.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37They're quite big shows in the floral art world.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40We're bigger than Chelsea, so it is quite a big deal.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44And like flower farmer Natalie,
0:17:44 > 0:17:47Cate draws her inspiration from the countryside.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50I suppose I'm a traditional arranger.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54It's the Malvern Autumn Show and it is called Seasonal Splendour,
0:17:54 > 0:17:58so, for me, it is about using seasonal flowers and foliage
0:17:58 > 0:18:01that you can find at home because that's what it's about.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03Hedgerows, you know, walk down the river,
0:18:03 > 0:18:04you might find a bit of driftwood,
0:18:04 > 0:18:06you know, anything like that, really.
0:18:08 > 0:18:09Come on!
0:18:09 > 0:18:13Whilst Cate likes to use what she can get her hands on locally...
0:18:13 > 0:18:15They'll make really good
0:18:15 > 0:18:18- sparkly Christmas tree decorations, won't they?- Uh-huh.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22..her garden won't provide everything she needs for the show.
0:18:23 > 0:18:28Instead, she sources her flowers from her local wholesaler.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31- Morning, Chris, how are you? - Morning, Cate. Fine, thank you.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33- And you?- Good. Ooh! You've got some gourds.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36Malvern Autumn Show is about celebrating harvest,
0:18:36 > 0:18:40which is obviously really important to us as farmers and as a society,
0:18:40 > 0:18:45so it's a real celebration of agriculture through harvest.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47Maybe that one. Yeah, go with that one first.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49No problem. Do you want flowers as well?
0:18:49 > 0:18:51- Yes, please. - OK, so go and have a look.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55- Oh, right.- Right, then, what are we after?
0:18:55 > 0:18:58- I'm looking for autumn, really. - OK.- Autumn colours -
0:18:58 > 0:19:02golds and bronzes, rather than anything else.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05Cate is entering the Seasonal Splendour class,
0:19:05 > 0:19:07which is a pedestal display.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09In a pedestal class,
0:19:09 > 0:19:11I'm sort of punching above my weight a little bit,
0:19:11 > 0:19:16so I shall be happy if I get any card of any description.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19Ooh, and the chillies, they're nice.
0:19:19 > 0:19:20It becomes a passion, really.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22It becomes a, you know,
0:19:22 > 0:19:25can I do better than the other person and can I get that red card?
0:19:25 > 0:19:29- That looks really good. - Is that what you're looking for? - Yeah. Thank you.- No problem.
0:19:29 > 0:19:35Satisfied with her pick of autumn, Cate heads home to check up on Tim,
0:19:35 > 0:19:37who for once isn't out on the combine.
0:19:38 > 0:19:43I'm just constructing this pedestal for Cate to do her flower arranging
0:19:43 > 0:19:46at the show. It's what they call the mechanics of the job, I think,
0:19:46 > 0:19:48in the flower arranging world.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51Tim's a bit of a perfectionist.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53Not a bit, a lot of a perfectionist.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56He creates me a nice base and then I do the flowers in it.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00Farmers are jacks of all trades but masters of none, but...
0:20:01 > 0:20:04..we do sort of get called upon to do all sorts of different jobs.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10It turns out that Tim is able to turn his hand to most things.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14If I say, "I want this, this, and this," he'll create it for me,
0:20:14 > 0:20:19mainly using old agricultural spares, so he's created nice...
0:20:19 > 0:20:21..with springs off tractors.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24He's done a wire dragon for me before now.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26He's quite good like that.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30That piece of wood has been sat in the shed for 12 months
0:20:30 > 0:20:34and I've been looking at it, thinking, "What can I do with it?"
0:20:34 > 0:20:36And then, the schedule came out and I went,
0:20:36 > 0:20:38"Ooh, could create a pedestal!"
0:20:40 > 0:20:43That's more or less complete as it's going to be.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46There's a block that they put their flowers in, goes there,
0:20:46 > 0:20:49and then she builds up the arrangement around it.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52Teaming up is a good recipe for success.
0:20:52 > 0:20:53We work together quite a lot,
0:20:53 > 0:20:56but probably best not on the farm so much,
0:20:56 > 0:20:59with too close quarters!
0:20:59 > 0:21:01You have to be friends, don't you, as well?
0:21:01 > 0:21:02Cos it's quite a test.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05Farming marriages are, you know,
0:21:05 > 0:21:08if you can stick the first sort of five years, you'll stick the course.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11So I'll leave Cate to get on with her flowers
0:21:11 > 0:21:12and I do the farming bit!
0:21:12 > 0:21:14HE LAUGHS
0:21:14 > 0:21:16So good luck to Cate. It's over to her, really.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23After weeks of preparation and planning,
0:21:23 > 0:21:26it's finally time to pack up for the Malvern Autumn Show.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29- Are they OK? - Put them in the pick-up.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34For Cate, it's a welcome break from the farm and a chance to indulge her
0:21:34 > 0:21:38passion and, hopefully, find recognition for it.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42Cross my fingers, toes and hope that I do OK.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45For Natalie, there's a lot at stake.
0:21:45 > 0:21:49It's the perfect opportunity to bring her British flowers to a wider
0:21:49 > 0:21:53audience. A win of any kind will mean growth all round,
0:21:53 > 0:21:56both in the soil and in the bank.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58Right, let's go. Let's get on with it, then.
0:22:00 > 0:22:01All aboard.
0:22:01 > 0:22:02OK!
0:22:03 > 0:22:04Put those in carefully.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07We're going to put them on top of the other flowers.
0:22:07 > 0:22:08OK.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13With their fresh flowers and foliage cut,
0:22:13 > 0:22:16it's a race against time to get them to the show.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36Nestled beneath the backdrop of the misty Malvern Hills
0:22:36 > 0:22:38in Worcestershire,
0:22:38 > 0:22:42the 19-year-old Malvern Autumn Show is a two-day seasonal spectacular.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52Inspired by autumn,
0:22:52 > 0:22:55it offers up all the riches that harvest time can bring.
0:23:00 > 0:23:01It's a complete day out.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03For anybody who loves the outdoors or the rural
0:23:03 > 0:23:06life, they're going to have a really great day here.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10Over the next two days,
0:23:10 > 0:23:15the Wye Hall will be transformed by an abundance of colour.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17Florists, growers and amateur rangers
0:23:17 > 0:23:21will come together to showcase the best of their art.
0:23:22 > 0:23:27To place here could boost business and reward the creative endeavour.
0:23:29 > 0:23:30Malvern Autumn Show is the last
0:23:30 > 0:23:33of the RHS shows to be judged in the year,
0:23:33 > 0:23:36so everyone's out to get those last medals that can be awarded.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38The standard is absolutely staggering.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44Natalie and her trusty vintage tractor Mehitable have arrived,
0:23:44 > 0:23:47and it's time to get cracking.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52The first thing I've got to do is the structure
0:23:52 > 0:23:54and that's the hardest bit.
0:23:54 > 0:23:56Dad would hate me for saying this, but there are bits of her that are
0:23:56 > 0:23:58falling down, so we need to attach
0:23:58 > 0:24:01bits of floral foam all over the place to her.
0:24:01 > 0:24:06This foam will support the flowers and keep them fresh until judging.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09I stupidly haven't got enough of these beauties.
0:24:09 > 0:24:10I'm going to need my cable ties
0:24:10 > 0:24:13because they just hold everything up.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22Leaving the farm in Tim's capable hand,
0:24:22 > 0:24:26Cate has made the 18-mile journey with her colourful cargo.
0:24:31 > 0:24:36Sometimes, just putting things on the pedestal just gives you...
0:24:36 > 0:24:39I don't know, you just feel a bit more...relaxed.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44Like Natalie, Cate's first big challenge
0:24:44 > 0:24:46is to work out the structure,
0:24:46 > 0:24:49starting with the all-important floral foam.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52I suppose it's like painting by numbers when you've done it
0:24:52 > 0:24:54quite a few times. If you can't get the skeleton right,
0:24:54 > 0:24:58then you can't fill in and you can't get the shape right.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04That ivy leaf is not good enough.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06It's going to come out, so it's no good.
0:25:06 > 0:25:11Her pedestal display is one of nine amateur entries in this year's
0:25:11 > 0:25:14Seasonal Splendour class.
0:25:14 > 0:25:19The standard is extremely high, so if I've got a first,
0:25:19 > 0:25:21second or third card, I would be thrilled,
0:25:21 > 0:25:23or a highly commended would be amazing,
0:25:23 > 0:25:26but the reality is that that's quite a tough call today.
0:25:29 > 0:25:33When I judge, I'm actually looking for distinction.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37I'm looking for the wow factor, something special.
0:25:37 > 0:25:38Detail is really vitally important.
0:25:38 > 0:25:42They've got to have thought about all those tiny little bits that...
0:25:42 > 0:25:44There's no good going, "Oh, that'll do".
0:25:45 > 0:25:50If a leaf has one tiny nick at the side, you'll get marked down.
0:25:50 > 0:25:51It has to be perfect.
0:25:51 > 0:25:56So no slug holes in your hostas, no curled-up leaves,
0:25:56 > 0:25:58because if they've got a bit of frost or anything like that,
0:25:58 > 0:26:00cos it was a bit frosty this morning.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02So you have to be really, really...
0:26:03 > 0:26:06..particular, almost clinical, really, about what you're doing.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11The leaf's not good enough. Look, it's got a hole in it.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13There's one there and a tiny little hole up there.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16It's not cool cos I'm running out of foliage.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27I'm using things that I've got on my hedgerow.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29This was grabbed out of our trees last night,
0:26:29 > 0:26:31just to create a bit of shape.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34Some lovely natural ivy, which is great this time of year.
0:26:36 > 0:26:38I'm a little bit nervous that I'm going to run out of this
0:26:38 > 0:26:41if I'm not too careful, so I'm going to be a bit careful with it.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44The pressure is on,
0:26:44 > 0:26:46as this category is being judged
0:26:46 > 0:26:49by the Royal Horticultural Society.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51When I first started exhibiting...
0:26:52 > 0:26:55..I really felt sick, that first one.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57I can relate to a new exhibitor.
0:26:57 > 0:27:01That sense of pride of what one's doing, and the fear of the judges,
0:27:01 > 0:27:04and, "Will they understand what I've put together here?"
0:27:04 > 0:27:06You need to try something different.
0:27:06 > 0:27:12Anyone in business will tell you, if you don't change or evolve,
0:27:12 > 0:27:15and stay the same, you lose trade.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17That's exactly the same as an exhibitor.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19You can't stay still.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26The Royal Horticultural Society was founded in London in 1804.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31Gaining its Royal Charter in 1861,
0:27:31 > 0:27:35the charity's vision is to enrich life through plants
0:27:35 > 0:27:38and make the UK a greener, more beautiful place.
0:27:41 > 0:27:47Today, shows like Malvern and Chelsea help continue that vision.
0:27:47 > 0:27:51Natalie has called on her friends to bring her vision to life.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54Any particular colour, any flower?
0:27:54 > 0:27:56You go for it. Anything at all.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59- Right.- Directing the team,
0:27:59 > 0:28:03Natalie combines all their skills to transform the tractor.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09We've got the other milk churn.
0:28:09 > 0:28:10Bryony's going to do that.
0:28:10 > 0:28:14- Lovely.- I'll crack on doing a bit more filler there.- Yeah.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20What we have got is those reeds for the tyres.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22- OK.- Shall we have a look, see if they're going to work?
0:28:22 > 0:28:25- Yes.- And kind of make our own wreath.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27- OK, cool.- Yeah, that would be great.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31Cate may be on her own in the amateur section,
0:28:31 > 0:28:33but it's all coming together.
0:28:33 > 0:28:35I've actually got the foliage in.
0:28:35 > 0:28:37Just putting in the berries
0:28:37 > 0:28:41and the skimmia are coming in to give it that burnt redness.
0:28:41 > 0:28:46And the Chinese lanterns, just to give it that sort of autumny field.
0:28:46 > 0:28:49I do have a bit of a hole in my hosta leaf.
0:28:50 > 0:28:51Might risk it.
0:28:51 > 0:28:52Might just go...
0:28:54 > 0:28:55Maybe!
0:28:55 > 0:28:58I think it's natural decay, rather than a hole,
0:28:58 > 0:29:00so that's how I'm going with it.
0:29:00 > 0:29:02It'll be fine. I'm sure it'll be fine.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08Outside, the show is in full swing.
0:29:08 > 0:29:09It's harvest galore.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14And sheepdog trials with a twist.
0:29:14 > 0:29:16Away. Away, away, away.
0:29:16 > 0:29:18APPLAUSE
0:29:23 > 0:29:24OK.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29The front grille's all sorted now, which is fantastic,
0:29:29 > 0:29:30and we have got the Karma Choc dahlias,
0:29:30 > 0:29:33which are really lovely and nice and deep and beautiful,
0:29:33 > 0:29:35and actually, these Cafe Au Lait dahlias, which are really nice.
0:29:35 > 0:29:37You can't import them, so actually,
0:29:37 > 0:29:39it's quite special to bring those to Malvern Autumn Show.
0:29:42 > 0:29:44We've got a fair bit done, but a fair way to go as well,
0:29:44 > 0:29:46so I'm not going to get comfy yet.
0:29:46 > 0:29:47We need to crack on.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56The RHS will be judging Natalie and
0:29:56 > 0:29:58all the commercial exhibitors today.
0:30:03 > 0:30:07Judging criteria for the RHS is, first of all,
0:30:07 > 0:30:11you judge the plants - are they excellent, very good, good, etc?
0:30:11 > 0:30:14And then you go the overall impression,
0:30:14 > 0:30:16and then you go to the endeavour.
0:30:16 > 0:30:18Now, the endeavour's a difficult one.
0:30:18 > 0:30:22You know, it's how difficult was it to put together?
0:30:22 > 0:30:24Have they used anything original?
0:30:24 > 0:30:28Is there anything that would excite the audience?
0:30:30 > 0:30:33I've no idea whether going for the tractor
0:30:33 > 0:30:35is going to make us stand out
0:30:35 > 0:30:37or whether it's a bit of a risk, or a step too far.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40I'm not sure. The theme's Arboretum, so we'll see.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44All the other exhibitors here have got trees and they're all decorating
0:30:44 > 0:30:45their trees beautifully,
0:30:45 > 0:30:49whereas we've gone for a tractor that actually was bought to be in an
0:30:49 > 0:30:52orchard, and so we're going to have some apples and we're going to tie
0:30:52 > 0:30:54that theme in a little bit more subtly,
0:30:54 > 0:30:57so whether the judges can pick up on the nuances of our exhibit,
0:30:57 > 0:30:58we'll wait to see.
0:30:58 > 0:30:59Let's hope so, eh?!
0:31:03 > 0:31:06This year has been a year of total extremes,
0:31:06 > 0:31:10so to actually see these guys put on, with their skill,
0:31:10 > 0:31:12all what they do here is amazing.
0:31:17 > 0:31:18In the amateur section,
0:31:18 > 0:31:21Cate's base structure is ready
0:31:21 > 0:31:24and now it's time for her star flowers.
0:31:25 > 0:31:29Hopefully, I've done what they want and brought it forward and taking it
0:31:29 > 0:31:31back through the wood as well,
0:31:31 > 0:31:33so that you have perspective of it flowing through the wood,
0:31:33 > 0:31:35not being static.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40I've chosen quite a mix of flowers today.
0:31:40 > 0:31:45I've got a shamrock chrysanth because it is a British-grown thing.
0:31:45 > 0:31:50It symbolises, I suppose, more old-fashioned autumnal arranging.
0:31:57 > 0:31:58Back at the tractor,
0:31:58 > 0:32:02Natalie's mum is arriving with much-needed supplies.
0:32:02 > 0:32:05- A splash of autumn colour, isn't it? - Think we've brought enough?
0:32:05 > 0:32:07I think you've brought enough, yeah!
0:32:07 > 0:32:08And husband Andy.
0:32:08 > 0:32:10Hey, thank you.
0:32:10 > 0:32:11- Then I've got these.- No, hang on.
0:32:11 > 0:32:13This is the really important thing.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15Yes!
0:32:15 > 0:32:19Daughter Elodie is also on hand to lend a critical eye.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22Do you think it's any good?
0:32:22 > 0:32:24You love it, don't you? What are you?
0:32:24 > 0:32:25Monkey.
0:32:25 > 0:32:27You're a monkey. What do monkeys do?
0:32:27 > 0:32:28Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh!
0:32:28 > 0:32:29Yeah!
0:32:31 > 0:32:35Cate's daughter Bridget is also at the show and she's entered the
0:32:35 > 0:32:37Christmas Decoration class.
0:32:38 > 0:32:40Which one are you going to put it on?
0:32:40 > 0:32:42For ages 12 to 16,
0:32:42 > 0:32:46this class stipulates that the decoration must be designed to hang
0:32:46 > 0:32:49and can be brought already assembled.
0:32:49 > 0:32:51We do it every year,
0:32:51 > 0:32:54and we go to my house and we all make them together.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57- Yeah.- I like that.- That one's really good.- I know, that is so cute.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00- And the little mouse in it.- Yeah. - That's sweet.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08Definitely not preassembled,
0:33:08 > 0:33:12Cate can decide to change anything she likes along the way -
0:33:12 > 0:33:14but not without risk.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19You've got to make sure you don't over-push your flowers in,
0:33:19 > 0:33:22otherwise your oasis starts to crumble away,
0:33:22 > 0:33:23so a bit tense at the moment
0:33:23 > 0:33:26cos you've just got to get everything in the right place
0:33:26 > 0:33:29and then leave it alone and run away and hide!
0:33:30 > 0:33:34It's a bit like having a souffle that you take out of the oven,
0:33:34 > 0:33:36it looks great, and then it goes...pffff!
0:33:40 > 0:33:45Sleeves rolled up, Natalie's mother Roz has jumped straight in.
0:33:46 > 0:33:50We've all come together in doing our bit to cover up
0:33:50 > 0:33:54Mehitable and make her look beautiful.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57What I'm looking for is a wow factor,
0:33:57 > 0:34:00when you come in and she just looks wow!
0:34:00 > 0:34:01Covered in flowers,
0:34:01 > 0:34:05covered in British flowers, and it just makes your heart sing.
0:34:14 > 0:34:19In the giant veg tent, looks simply don't matter.
0:34:19 > 0:34:20It's all about the whoppers.
0:34:25 > 0:34:279.20kg.
0:34:27 > 0:34:31Every visitor on the showground will want to see our giant vegetables,
0:34:31 > 0:34:34over 500 entries in that category alone,
0:34:34 > 0:34:36and we really are expecting world records.
0:34:39 > 0:34:43I'm David Thomas from Cornwall and I grow giant veg.
0:34:44 > 0:34:46It's a hobby and it's fascinating
0:34:46 > 0:34:48to start with a small seed and end up with something huge.
0:34:50 > 0:34:52It's addictive to me and I love it.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55I hold the record for the heaviest red cabbage.
0:34:56 > 0:34:58The heaviest cucumber.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00And the heaviest parsnip.
0:35:02 > 0:35:04To grow a giant veg is no big secret.
0:35:04 > 0:35:08It's just good care and the right seed to start with, really.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12This is a giant green cabbage.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14We picked it up with the neighbour's mini digger in the garden,
0:35:14 > 0:35:16dropped it in the back of the truck,
0:35:16 > 0:35:19and then there's a forklift this end that unloads for us.
0:35:19 > 0:35:22If you break a leaf off, that doesn't count.
0:35:22 > 0:35:24You can't weigh the broken leaf.
0:35:24 > 0:35:26So everything's done as gentle as possible.
0:35:26 > 0:35:27Every ounce counts.
0:35:32 > 0:35:36Back in the floral hall, the judges are due to inspect in an hour.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39I think, for timing,
0:35:39 > 0:35:44not sure. Because when you think of it, we've got this stand to do
0:35:44 > 0:35:48and also the one behind you, so we are on a deadline now.
0:35:48 > 0:35:52The flower board is designed to hold lots of separate stems
0:35:52 > 0:35:54to showcase variety.
0:35:56 > 0:35:58These are little test tubes that have got rubber lids
0:35:58 > 0:36:01with a hole in, and you can poke the stems of the flowers through
0:36:01 > 0:36:05so they're permanently in water, but it's all hidden behind the wall.
0:36:05 > 0:36:07There are hundreds and hundreds of test tubes
0:36:07 > 0:36:08all the way around the back here.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10And we've done them all.
0:36:18 > 0:36:19A little bit tense at the moment.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22One more big flower to put in there,
0:36:22 > 0:36:25and then a bit of filling, and see where we are after that.
0:36:25 > 0:36:27But, yes, need it to be...
0:36:27 > 0:36:30Don't want to see any of this green foam in here.
0:36:30 > 0:36:33But at the same time, your foam is becoming...
0:36:34 > 0:36:37..quite hole-y, so every time you put a flower in,
0:36:37 > 0:36:39you might disintegrate your foam,
0:36:39 > 0:36:44so it's getting a bit critical as to how much more you put in.
0:36:49 > 0:36:51Just going to tidy up.
0:36:51 > 0:36:53Clear everything out, make it nice and neat,
0:36:53 > 0:36:55which isn't easy when we've been drilling holes
0:36:55 > 0:36:57and the place is covered in flowers.
0:36:57 > 0:36:59So we've just got to crack on and get it tidy.
0:37:02 > 0:37:03T minus 30 minutes for judging,
0:37:03 > 0:37:06so we've got to really get a wriggle on.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09So, yes, it's tight. Tight, tight, tight. Ooph!
0:37:10 > 0:37:14So there's not much time left to make final changes.
0:37:17 > 0:37:18You're never happy with it.
0:37:18 > 0:37:21You never just walk away and say, "Enough."
0:37:22 > 0:37:25And now I've moved the leaves, I've got a hole there.
0:37:25 > 0:37:27So then you have to wiggle it all around again.
0:37:31 > 0:37:32You need to show the tyre.
0:37:32 > 0:37:33We do, don't we?
0:37:36 > 0:37:37And then the other one into place.
0:37:40 > 0:37:41Yeah, perfect.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50Thank you very much, ladies, for all of your help today.
0:37:50 > 0:37:52I couldn't have done it without you. I'm so, so grateful.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55Thank you, girls. Thank you, everybody.
0:38:00 > 0:38:04Never seen a tractor decorated like this before, so it's a first,
0:38:04 > 0:38:06but it's brilliant.
0:38:06 > 0:38:08It brings the countryside into the show.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14With the hard work done, it's time for judging.
0:38:17 > 0:38:21Judges Pip and Debbie are assessing all of the amateur classes.
0:38:24 > 0:38:26It's a lovely season to be designing in.
0:38:26 > 0:38:29You've got all these berries, fruits, wonderful colours.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32We're just hoping to see some really great designs.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43First up for scrutiny is Cate.
0:38:44 > 0:38:48Her Seasonal Splendour display uses ivy,
0:38:48 > 0:38:51hosta leaves, Chinese lanterns,
0:38:51 > 0:38:54viburnum, skimmia
0:38:54 > 0:38:57gourds and Fuego chrysanthemum.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00Those hostas are lovely, aren't they?
0:39:02 > 0:39:05Cate and Bridget can't wait any longer.
0:39:05 > 0:39:09It's time to find out if the judges have awarded a card.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13- What did we get? - Very highly commended!
0:39:13 > 0:39:15- That's brilliant.- That's good!
0:39:15 > 0:39:18- Well done.- Thank you.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21- That's really good. - What has the judge said?
0:39:21 > 0:39:25"Innovative use of wood slice to frame the design."
0:39:25 > 0:39:27- Dad will be happy with that, yeah! - Yeah.
0:39:27 > 0:39:30"The top chrysanthemum and surrounding foliage
0:39:30 > 0:39:34"are leaning a little to the rear." That's OK.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37- That's very good. Well done. - I'm so pleased with that.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40It's a really, really great thing just to get a card
0:39:40 > 0:39:43with three words on it. It's fab.
0:39:43 > 0:39:47With Mum proud of her Highly Commended card,
0:39:47 > 0:39:50Bridget makes a beeline for the Christmas tree,
0:39:50 > 0:39:52to see how her decoration has fared.
0:39:52 > 0:39:53Oh, I got second!
0:39:55 > 0:39:56Really happy.
0:39:59 > 0:40:02Mehitable has been adorned with dahlias,
0:40:02 > 0:40:05hops, wheat and Virginia creeper...
0:40:07 > 0:40:10..and given an orchard touch with added apples and pears...
0:40:12 > 0:40:15..a garden bench and some decorative milk churns.
0:40:17 > 0:40:20Natalie's exhibit is judged by a panel...
0:40:22 > 0:40:26..who collectively score to award gold, silver-gilt,
0:40:26 > 0:40:28silver and bronze,
0:40:28 > 0:40:29or no card at all.
0:40:31 > 0:40:34- Let's go and have a look. - Are you sure?- Yeah.- OK.
0:40:37 > 0:40:38Oh, it's an envelope!
0:40:40 > 0:40:42- Do you want to open it?- No, no.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46It's a silver medal!
0:40:46 > 0:40:47Wow! That is incredible.
0:40:47 > 0:40:49That's great, isn't it?
0:40:49 > 0:40:50- Well done, Mum.- Well done, you.
0:40:52 > 0:40:56- Fantastic.- Yes! Got a silver medal! Woohoo!
0:40:56 > 0:40:58That's great! We're going to have to put it on her, aren't we?
0:40:58 > 0:41:00- Absolutely.- That's lovely, isn't it?
0:41:02 > 0:41:03That's really amazing.
0:41:03 > 0:41:06An RHS silver medal is a serious badge of honour
0:41:06 > 0:41:10for a professional just starting out.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12- Champagne on ice?- Yeah.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14- Yeah.- Well done.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17The Malvern Autumn Show floral competition
0:41:17 > 0:41:18is over for another year.
0:41:25 > 0:41:27With success all round,
0:41:27 > 0:41:31the future is promising for our floral enthusiasts.
0:41:31 > 0:41:32Come on, then.
0:41:32 > 0:41:36Time for the Morris family to pop a cork or two.
0:41:36 > 0:41:38We might have a little celebration this evening.
0:41:38 > 0:41:39Champagne... Not...
0:41:39 > 0:41:42Might be prosecco, you know, you never know.
0:41:42 > 0:41:43You know what farmers are like,
0:41:43 > 0:41:45you know, they don't splash the cash too often.
0:41:47 > 0:41:51Very Highly Commended is not first, second or third,
0:41:51 > 0:41:53but actually, in the floral art world, you're nearly there,
0:41:53 > 0:41:57so that would be really my next challenge, then, to go for it.
0:41:57 > 0:42:02Motivated to outdo herself at next year's show, for now,
0:42:02 > 0:42:04it's back to daily farming life.
0:42:04 > 0:42:06Good girl. What are you doing? Come on, then.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09It's a varied and very special life.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13No one day is ever the same.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15And Cate wouldn't have it any other way.
0:42:16 > 0:42:19I don't know anything else. It's just ace. It's brilliant.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21I think you're quite privileged
0:42:21 > 0:42:23to be able to call yourself a farmer's wife.
0:42:25 > 0:42:29Natalie's first show has offered up some valuable insight.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31I think I've learnt that, if you've got a can-do attitude,
0:42:31 > 0:42:33you can achieve anything, really.
0:42:35 > 0:42:40Her drive and determination to expand the business is unwavering.
0:42:40 > 0:42:44It's got to be done. The return from conventional farming nowadays is
0:42:44 > 0:42:47pitiful, and so if there are other ways in which more can be earned
0:42:47 > 0:42:50from the land, and especially doing something that you love doing,
0:42:50 > 0:42:52it's got to be good.
0:42:52 > 0:42:54With a silver medal under her belt,
0:42:54 > 0:42:58Natalie's floral future is very promising.
0:42:58 > 0:43:00Thank you very much for all of your help.
0:43:00 > 0:43:02- You've been a star.- Oh, I loved it.
0:43:02 > 0:43:03- Have you?- Yeah, I really have.
0:43:03 > 0:43:06- Are you exhausted?- It's one of the best days I've ever had.- Really?
0:43:06 > 0:43:07- Absolutely.- That's great.