Lustleigh Garden Society

LUSTLEIGH HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY… how it all began.

 

The first mention of the society was in the Parish Magazine of August 1888 and even here, reference was made to a ‘show’ having been held the previous year.  The society had been thriving for a number of years under the title “The Horticultural and Cottage Garden Society”.  The Cottage Garden Society held regular flower shows and it seems the larger Lustleigh Flower Show grew out of these.  Rarely missing a year, it was however cancelled during the Second World War.  At the committee meeting on 19th November 1946, plans were made to reintroduce the show the following year. 

 

The first show saw classes for not only flowers and home produce but also included knitting and needlework and prizes for butter and honey.   Following the war, the show expanded to include a gymkhana, goat show and dog show.  There also began the tradition of a dance the evening after the show in the Conservative Hall (now Village Hall). 

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From here, the “Flower Show” grew rapidly and the Horticultural Society ran the complete show until in 1990, a new committee was formed to organise the rest of the show as a whole with the Hort Soc still running the produce and craft show in the main marquee.

 

The show moved location after the war as well, previously the flower show was held in the hall, but in February 1947 an agreement was struck and “Mr Amery kindly placed a very excellently placed field just off the main Bovey Tracey road, at the disposal of the society for the flower show”.

 

The 1990’s saw even more expansion to include events we all know very well today such as the 10k run, terrier racing, Kelly Mine displays, pets and small animals tent and fairground rides etc.

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A short while ago it was decided to change our name to The Lustleigh Garden Society.  The society is run by a small committee and still puts on a spring show, the horticultural tent at the Lustleigh Show and other events such as talks, coffee mornings, plant sales, Lustleigh open gardens and visits to other gardens in the area.

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References:  Bowen, Margaret.   Lustleigh Horticultural Society

Jackson, W.   The Lustleigh Show – A Brief History

 

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For further information, or for any queries you may have, please contact us via our email address:

lustleighgardensociety@gmail.com

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THE LUSTLEIGH GARDEN SOCIETY 2020 -  Committee

 

Chairman: Gill Hepworth

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Treasurer: Sue Boulton

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Secretary: Erica Read

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Show Manager: Pauline Arnold

 

Anne Birch, Ann Harvey, Trevor Hazel, Heather Marchant

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