The Wheel
8
A Brief History of Writhlington Flower Show Just
over 132 years ago, the very first Writhlington Flower Show took place and was reported in the Somerset Standard and Wilts. & Dorset Advertiser on 7 September 1889 as below: Writhlington “FLOWER SHOW: This show was inaugurated in May last at a meeting convened by the Rev. R. A. Ramsay, rector in the National School room – with the promise of the Kind patronage of the Right Hon. Lord Hylton, the Rev. R. A. Ramsay as president and hon. secretary, Mr J. C. Walton, Vice President, and messrs M. Carpenter, A. King, S. Denning, G. Lewis, W. Swift, Job Swift as a working committee and it only wanted a fine day (which happily was the case on Thursday) to Rev. R. A. Ramsay ensure its success. Mr Mark Carpenter of the Manor Farm, Writhlington very kindly placed his field adjoining the school at the disposal of the committee and the show was held there. The committee decided to alter the system of prizes and instead of giving prizes, as was usual, for particular flowers, fruit and sorts of vegetables, to give them for the best well-kept gardens and the best collections of flowers, fruit and vegetables grown by individual cottagers in the parish. The judges of the cottage gardens was Mr Walters of the Kensington Nursery Gardens Bath and for the garden produce, Mr Bowne of the Beckington Nurseries, who also kindly sent a large contribution of fine specimen plants. Great credit is due to the
Minute Book 1947 entry
Rector and the committee for the admirable way in which the arrangement for the Show were carried out. The Writhlington Brass Band played throughout the afternoon and evening.” The Flower Show has been at the heart of Writhlington and over the years, has been supported by dedicated local people who have given their time, energy and dedication to ensure successful shows year after year.
