The aim of the Society is to promote good cultivation of gardens and allotments.
The main event during the year is the Wiveliscombe Annual Flower Show which is held on the third Saturday in August every year. This is organised by an elected committee. Meetings are held at various times during the year at which details are discussed concerning the format for the show and the various classes, We are having a Garden Party on Saturday 25th June 2011 to raise funds to support the annual Flower Show. This will be held at 3 Richard Beadon Close at 3pm where you will be able to listen to the Town Band, have a cream tea and purchase plants and produce from the various stalls.
The remaining meetings for this year are:-:
- 13th July 2011 - Show Planning Meeting
- 20th August 2011 - Annual Flower Show
- 16th November 2011 - AGM and Social evening
The local flower and produce show conjures up an image of a large striped marquee, local characters with their prize vegetables, the vicar walking around and judging the best baby competition in a panama hat. These are just some of the pictures that come to mind when the village show is mentioned. Whether the Wivey Horticultural Show was ever like that is another story, but I think that inside all of us is a little corner that would like to preserve a bit of "English country life"; and besides it does not hurt to daydream a little.
The Wiveliscombe Horticultural Society probably came into existence in 1903. Its first chairman, Mr Jack Lee was also its secretary and Miss Lutley was the president. It had an annual show until 1915 when it ceased for the Great War. The Society was reformed in 1920 with Mr Bill Broom as secretary, Dr Penburthy as chairman and Mrs Hancock as president. During this period it had an annual show, a Strawberry, Delphinium and Sweat Pea show in the stables of Colonel Capper's property. This show did not give financial prizes and at the end of the show the produce etc. was sold in aid of the Red Cross. It cost a shilling to see the show and this allowed you to look at the gardens as well. There was also a Chrysanthemum show every November. The show ceased again during World War ll, although there was probably a show until 1941.
Mr Colin Pearse remembers the show being reformed in 1946 at Greenway Farm. Mr Jordan (Colonel Capper's gardener at Langley House) remembers using E.J. Thorne's horse drawn furniture van to deliver his exhibits to the show for 7 a.m. The idea of putting up your exhibits on the Friday night does not seem to have become a possibility until the show moved to Kingsmead School in 1975, and Mr Pearse volunteered to allow people to prepare exhibits from 6.30 p.m. sharp and from 6.00 a.m. on the Saturday morning. This was entirely voluntary by the president of the show and did not cost the society any money.
Whilst the show was held on the recreation field it was not just a horticultural show but was more of a festival. The show had over 20 sideshows including swing boats, guess the weight of the sheep, ping pong, pony rides and treasure hunt as well as children's games and a drinks bar. There was also a Show Queen chosen - this stopped in 1972. The show was not only opened by local personalities but celebrities such as Angela Rippon were invited - unfortunately she was unavailable at the last minute and Gus Honeybun with handler came instead. He was so successful that he returned 2 years later. The committee also organised a dance after the show.
During the year the society held jumble sales and had social events including concerts, film shows and Christmas Dinners. These always seem to have taken place at the now named Community Centre.
Initially there were just 3 cups to be won - they were in the Amateurs, Cottagers and Open sections. Today (1996) there are 38 cups to be won including handicraft, wine, cookery and the children's sections. Only people from the civil parish were allowed to enter until the show went open in 1972. Winning exhibitors received a miniature cup as a memento. This practice ceased in 1975 and was replaced by certificates. The exact date that the Floral Art section started is not known, whilst the Wine section came into existence in 1979.
