Meet Our Judges

Mr Ian Turner started judging fruit, vegetable and flower shows many years ago after winning so many prizes for his own entries at local village shows as well as winning classes for the best village garden. He has been a sheep and cattle judge for many years, judging at county level and in herd competitions. His wife, Carol has been by his side in these ventures and often judged children’s classes at shows.

Mrs Anne Tipple OBE is a Director and Trustee of Bakewell Agricultural & Horticultural Society where she jointly with a fellow Director organised the Society’s 200 year celebration event, Farm to Plate. Her particular interest is encouraging more young people to take an interest in growing their own food and having a wider understanding of where our food comes from.

Mrs Anita Critchlow has been involved for many years in competing in Horticultural Shows in Bakewell and Hope Show. She is the current Hope Show Horticultural Chair and has helped to organise the show for the last 6 years. During this time Anita has judged various classes, mainly cooking, preserve, children’s classes and egg classes.

Mrs Sara Price is a baker and cafe owner with 20 years’ experience, and winner of 2 Great Taste Awards. She has previously worked at Pollok House for the National Trust for Scotland & is the provider of the Eroica Britannia Eyam Foodstop.

Mrs Claire De la Haye works part time in our School Marketing team.  In her previous jobs and for her own marketing company, she commissioned a large amount of photography, often acted as art director on photo shoots and worked with picture editors at national newspapers. Claire also has an MA hons degree in History of Art from the Courtauld Institute of Art.  She can’t wait to see the paintings and photographs that our children enter into the Show!

Mrs Elizabeth Ecclestone teaches pottery at school and always says it is a joy to see what to see what can be created out of clay.  She looks forward to seeing the creativity displayed in the miniature well dressings.  Elizabeth is enjoying her garden at the moment, so hopes the miniature gardens will inspire her!

Mrs Akers is the esteemed winner of the inaugural Greenhill Library Scarecrow Competition 2020. Third place in Greenhill’s Spookiest Garden Halloween Display 2018. First place winner in Birley School’s Easter Egg competition 1995. All round creative person.

Mr Watson Jones … LEGO Master Builder and Chief Judge of the Bricks!

Miss Pink, master machinist, divine designer and precise printer. Her passion for textiles began way back when she was a young spring chicken growing up in the rolling hills of the Derbyshire Dales. After studying textiles at GCSE, she knew this was the road she wanted to take. She studied Fashion and Textiles for three years at college before heading off to University where continued her dedication to the textiles industry for another three years and specialised in Print Design for interiors. During her time at university, Miss Pink worked with fashion and interior designers, galleries, television, and museums to expand her ever growing knowledge of the textile word to now pass onto younger generations of the 21st century here at S. Anselm’s.

Ms Joanne Connell is our talented Catering Manager at school. She is a trained baker and pâtissier with a wealth of experience. Jo is responsible for all of the delicious cakes we love so much at S. Anselm’s. Her speciality is Lemon Drizzle cake and is very much looking forward to sampling your baking entries.

Mrs Ruth Oldfield is our lovely catering assistant here at S. Anselm’s. When she is not helping us in the Dining Room, Ruth likes to fill her free time with a variety of gardening tasks. She has a passion for flowers and has visited many RHS Flower Shows, where she develops ideas for her own beautiful garden. We are delighted that Ruth is able to be one of our guest judges on her ‘very special’ birthday!

Mr Price writes, “It’s a great honour to be asked to judge the Staff Sunflower Competition. The staff at school were all given a seed in March to try and nurture throughout the term.  My children (now grown up) used to grow them and now my grandson is having a go. Sunflowers are happy flowers (see ‘Calendar Girls’!).  Sunflowers follow the sun, turning their faces to the light as the day passes.  We should do the same!  What will I be looking for?  Strong, healthy plants that will grow tall and give pleasure through the brilliant summer that we all deserve!”