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 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

Rev. R. A. Ramsay 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.

Minute Book 1947 entry

1989

Flower Show Centenary Committee

In 1989, the Flower Show celebrated its Centenary in style. A flurry of activity took place to raise funds to ensure the show would be worthy of this milestone celebration. A fund raising committee was set up under the chairmanship of Les Gay and raised over £1,000 by staging a variety of social events for the villagers. This led to the raising of a magnificent £1,000 which was used to hire a large marquee to house the Flower Show.

The Flower Show Medallion

The Writhlington Flower Show Centenary Committee commissioned this in 1989 for the Flower Show. Dennis Chedgy did some research and found a collection of old miners’ medals possibly from mining rescue. Norman Matthews designed the medallion from those original mining medals. Local Artist and Sculptor Paddy Creton then made moulds and cast the Bronze Medallion to commemorate the Centenary Show in 1989, one of which was presented to the Writhlington Village Hall Committee and is still displayed in the Hall today. This is the badge used on the front cover of all the Show Schedules.

1995

In 1995, Writhlington Flower Show took place on the 50th Anniversary of the war’s end and had a 1940’s theme. There were six VJ-Day only classes, exhibitions of special classes, which included an exhibit of typical herbs and flowers which would be found in 1940’s cottage gardens. Knitters found old patterns and knitted up wartimestyle jumpers, a table was set aside for wartime memorabilia and show supporter Ron Cottle, who served in the RAMC, sent along a collection of pictures from regimental pantos.

Fund Raising

Over the years, the Flower Show committee has organised numerous events to raise valuable funds. This included a World War II day in 2008. The event saw wartime vehicles parked outside, a kitchen parlour set up in the hall with a fire range and enamel pots and kettle, not forgetting a cat in front of the fire. A washhouse with a mangle, old tin baths and buckets and an exhibition of all the washhouse necessities that women would use to do the household cleaning. St Mary’s School produced wartime recipes and the children dressed for the occasion.

The 130th Writhlington Flower Show took place on 17th August 2019 and is still a highlight of the village’s annual calendar. Many thanks must go the all those who have dedicated their time and energy over many years to make the show so successful.

We look forward to many more Shows.