A Short History of
the Widnes & District Horticultural Society
The Society, named the Widnes Horticultural Society, was
formed in 1900 and its chief patrons were the Gossage family who owned the soap
works in West
Bank, Widnes. The family donated two trophies,
the Miss Gossage Cups which are competed for every year.
This notice below appeared in the Widnes Weekly News
advertising the first Horticultural Show which took place on 16th
August 1900:
The first annual
exhibition of the above Society will be held on Thursday 16th August
in the St Ambrose Victoria Hall, Halton View, Widnes.
Prizes will be offered
for fruit, vegetables, window plants, neatest flower garden and best cropped
vegetable garden for persons residing in the Borough of Widnes, south of the Cheshire Lines Railway.
Open classes for
persons residing within a radius of five miles from Widnes Town Hall.
Farmer’s class for
roots and cereals.
Show opens at 2.00pm. Entries close not later than July 1st. 1900 for window
plants. For other classes, August 1st. 1900.
Intending exhibitors
please communicate with the Hon. Secretary J. H. Knowles, 125 Warrington Road, Widnes.
A grand concert of
vocal and instrumental music by talented artists will be given in the afternoon
and evening. Admission 2-5pm.
1 shilling; after 5.00pm. 6d Children half price.
The Society flourished through both World Wars until 1948.
At this time the shows were held in the main hall at the technical college in Victoria Square. However, owing to the lack of
support, the Society sadly closed. All
the Society’s assets were placed in the safe keeping of Widnes Council. This
included all trophies and the remaining money.
In 1960 Councillor R. Illidge noticed the trophies in the
vault of the old Town Hall and he started to make enquires about the Society.
In 1961 a committee was formed to restart the Society to be
named the Widnes and District Horticultural Society.
President Mr J. E. Willetts
Vice Presidents
G. Maddra, R. Illidge, H. Saddler, Mrs Pullen,
A. Bromiley (F Inst.PA., BCA,)
Parks Superintendent.
Chairman H. B. Cook
Treasurer O. Smith
Secretary R. Norton
Committee
L. Bradburn, J. Baker, A. Done, H. Dobson, H. Ditchfield, A.
Hewitt, T. Salter,
N. Stott, R. Spencer, W. Spencer, J. Tilley, K. G. Tapsall,
Mrs McAllister,
T. Winstanley.
The first show was in the Queens Hall on the Saturday of the
August Bank Holiday. In subsequent years other shows were added until there
were four shows a year.
June – Rose Show
August – Main show
September – Chrysanthemum & Dahlia show
November – Late Chrysanthemum show
The annual show continued to be held at the Queens Hall
until September 2003 when the Queens Hall closed. The following year in 2004,
the show moved to Ditton Community Centre.
Over the years, interest has again started to decrease and
now we are down to one show per year which is held on the first Sunday of
September in the Ditton Community Centre, Dundalk Road, Widnes.
The move viewed with some trepidation but the event turned
out to be very successful and the success of the show has continued. In 2007
the show had 374 entries in 90 classes and the judges said the vegetable
section was the best he had seen in any show that year.
In 2004, the children’s section was reintroduced and has
proved to be another success story for the show with an increase from 26 to 41
entries in 2007.
The show is organised by the Society’s committee, with Bob
Martindale acting as the show manager. Bob has been a member of the Society for
45 years.
The Society is affiliated to the National Vegetable Society,
the National Chrysanthemum Society, the National Dahlia Society and the British
Fuchsia Society. All our judges are very experienced and as such, great pains
are taken to ensure that judging is fair and above board.
Apart from the show, the Society has three other events
during the year. A spring buffet/talk, a Hotpot Supper in October and a
Christmas buffet/talk. All events also include a raffle with plenty of prizes
to be won. These evening events are held at the Halton Stadium which is a very
comfortable and attractive venue with plenty of car park space.
New members are always welcome and next year we will be
looking for a new Treasurer. Why not join us?
For further information please ring:- Malcolm, Chairman, on
0151 424 7380
Barbara, Secretary, on 0151 424 3406
Ann, Treasurer on 0151 424 5720
