The History of the Wellesbourne and Walton Horticultural Society 

Pre 1900

The Wellesbourne and Walton Village Horticultural Society was first established in 1857. A notice in the Leamington Spa Courier announced that the first public show of the Society would be held on Thursday, 23^rd July from 2–7pm in a field adjoining the Wellesbourne infant school. Admission was free for members and their wives, one penny (1d) for non-members (cottagers) and not less than 6d for all others. There was to be a band, and tea provided for wives and children with tickets. 

Further shows were reported in 1858, 1859, 1860 and 1861 but no information has been found for the rest of the 19th century. 

The Leamington Courier gave a detailed description of the 1860 show. There was a large attendance of visitors including Lady Mordaunt, Lady Charles Paulet, Rev. W. Barnard and other local dignitaries. The show was held in a large tent with tea provided in an adjoining tent. The exhibits were organised into 3 sections: Red, Blue and White Ticket. The first 2 sections featured classes for greenhouse plants, flowers and a wide variety of fruit and vegetables: the White section included the local garden allotments: “Sir Charles Mordaunt’s ground, Lord Charles Paulet’s ground, Ground of Bernard Granville, Mr Roddis’s ground and Walton Allotments”. After the show a band played at 6pm and there was dancing until “the evening shades appeared”.

A similar show was reported in 1861. An article in the Leamington Courier attributed the success of the show to the efforts of the local curate, Rev, J. Knipe. As part of the amusements, Mr Knipe designed an exercise for the children which involved walking along a tent pole suspended some distance above the ground, tightrope style. Any boy who managed to get to the end without falling off was to be rewarded with a penny but it seems not many were successful!

1900 - 1913

No further mention of the show has been found until 1903. In January of that year Major Clerk held a meeting in the school room to determine local interest in a flower show in Wellesbourne. He said that there had been a good show at his former residence at Wootton Hill and felt something similar could be organised in Wellesbourne. The proposal was carried unanimously. A meeting of the Wellesbourne and Walton Horticultural Society meeting was held soon after and the committee proceeded to draw up the rules of the society.

The show was held on the cricket ground on Thursday 23^rd July. Some forty years had elapsed since anything of the kind occurred, and then it was on a very small scale. Major Clerk, ensured financial success by canvassing local worthies for support. There was a strong committee (all men) including Mr Frost, the local headteacher. Lady Mordaunt agreed to be president and present the prizes. Many local dignitaries attended the show, including Sir Henry and Lady Lucy, the Misses Mordaunt and Sir Frederick Hamilton.

Exhibits for the flower show were organised in 2 sections: Amateurs and Cottagers. The distinction between these is not clear but the classes for Amateurs were more demanding, especially for the vegetables. A wide range of flowers, fruits and vegetables were judged. Amateurs were asked to show a specific number of items eg 12 onions; 20 pods of peas whereas for cottagers it was simply onions or peas. 

In addition several Special Prizes were awarded including Best Kept Garden in Wellesbourne or Walton, Best Kept Allotment in the Talbot, Tollgate and Walton Allotments, Needlework and Knitting for girls under 16 and an unusual class of Pig Farrowed in 1903.

As well as the flower show there was a programme of sports, including an egg and spoon race for women under 30 and a 100 yards flat race for women over 40. The principal event was that for decorated bicycles, with riders in costume, for which 10 turned out. Dancing was planned for later but had to be cancelled because of heavy rain. 

Overall the show was considered a success and made a profit of £13 5s 4d despite the bad weather. It was decided to go ahead with another show in 1904 and thereafter shows have been held nearly every year (apart from the war years) up to the present day.

The Wellesbourne shows were generally highly regarded. A report in the Stratford Herald in 1905 considered the show to be “one of the best organised in the district” with over 450 entries. In 1906 the paper described the show as “far above the average village show”.

Annual shows were held on the cricket field up until 1913 but there were no shows in the war years 1914 – 1918. 

Post First World War

The shows resumed in 1919 when entertainments included “Goss’s Galloping Horses”, bowling for a live pig and dancing from 6–10pm. The Leamington Courier described the show as a complete success. The quality of exhibits equalled that of pre-war days despite the drought which had a great effect on Wellesbourne where its sandy soil soon absorbs moisture.

The earliest printed show schedule we have is for 1924. This lists the patrons of the exhibition - local dignitaries such as Lady Mordaunt (president), Sir Henry Fairfax-Lucy and Col. B. Granville. The committee had over 40 members - necessary to organize the large exhibition and the sports, dancing and other amusements.

The rules of the Wellesbourne and Walton Horticultural Society are listed in the schedule. The object of the society was “to encourage the cultivation of gardens and allotments, especially amongst cottagers and amateurs”. At that time the Society consisted of annual subscribers who paid 2 shillings and 6 pence (2s 6d) and upwards. However any person resident in Wellesbourne or Walton living in a house rated at no more than £10 per annum could be a member for 1s per annum. The affairs of the Society were managed by a committee of no less than 20 members, with power to add to their number. Each was required to pay at least 5s subscription.

The exhibition schedule was divided into 3 sections: Amateurs, Cottagers and Allotments. At this time 4 sets of allotments featured: Stratford Road, Talbot, Walton and Toll Gate Allotments.  In total there were 85 classes, including a wide variety of flowers, fruit and vegetables. Prizes awarded ranged from one shilling, 3^rd prize in many of the classes, to 15 shillings, first prize for a collection of six vegetables. There were special classes for children including best Garden in the Boy’s School Garden, best Collection of Named Wild Flowers and the best Model Garden.

Some of the committee members served for many years. Lady Mordaunt announced her resignation at the Society AGM in March 1926, after 22 years as President and in 1928 Mr Frost retired having been Honorary Secretary for 25 years.

The annual meeting of the Society held in February 1929 regretted the small number of entries the previous year. It was proposed and seconded to change the name of the Society to Wellesbourne and District. This and other changes were designed to increase interest in the show. This seemed to have worked as the number of entrants and entries increased significantly.

1930s

The Show went from strength to strength in the early 1930s

The 1931 show was described as a record. An article in the Stratford Herald recounts the story of Mr W. J. Maull who won the Colonel Granville Challenge cup (awarded to the exhibitor gaining the most points) for the 8^th year in succession. The runner up was his father Mr James Maull. When asked to what he attributed his success he said he was born on July 23rd 1903. In that year his father won first prize for his allotment. When he came home he placed the prize in his baby son’s hand. His father had won the cup many times and his son won it for the first time when he was 20 and had won it every year since.

“People frequently declare that the day of the flower show has gone never to return but Wellesbourne is an example of a show whose star is still in the ascendant”

In 1934 the Coventry Evening Telegraph reported that there were fewer entries than last year although the standard and quality of exhibits was maintained. The show was described as “one of the most important horticultural shows in the Warwick area” Percy Charles (hon. Secretary) regretted that there had been so much apathy this season. “Village flower shows were fast dying out and he wanted Wellesbourne’s to be the last to go”.

Following the poor entries in 1934 there was doubt about holding a show in 1935. However, with the support of the WI, it was decided to try and overcome the difficulties and proceed with the show. For the first time the show was held on a Saturday. Some new features were introduced including a WI display and a show of work from disabled ex-servicemen. There was also a comic football match - 22 ladies versus 11 gentlemen - which provided much amusement.

The annual shows continued up to 1939 when there was a lapse because of the war. 

Post Second World War

In March 1947 a joint meeting of the Parish Councils of Wellesbourne Mountford and Wellesbourne Hastings and the WI was held to discuss reviving the pre-war flower show. This was agreed and a date was set for Saturday August 2^nd. A schedule was drawn up with 78 classes. Entrance fees varied from 2d to 1s per class and prizes ranged from 1s to 15s. Admission to the show was 1s for adults and half price for children under 14. There was a varied programme of sports, including tug-of-war, and there were pony rides for the children. There was a dance in the WI Hall from 9pm-12, admission 2s 6d.

Further successful shows were held in 1948 and 1949.

1950s

The Wellesbourne and Walton Horticultural Society was affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society on 7^th March 1950.

At the October 1949 AGM it was decided that the 1950 show would be held on the Sports Ground. As a more ambitious show was planned, Dog Close did not provide the necessary facilities for sports and other attractions. 3 committees were proposed – Show Committee, Sports Committee and Amusements Committee. It was decided to run the society on a membership basis with members paying an annual subscription of 2s.

New rules of the Society were drawn up at a meeting in January 1950. The Society name should be the Wellesbourne and Walton Horticultural Society. Its stated object is “To promote and stimulate public interest in horticulture in general and to encourage in particular the cultivation, exhibition and preservation of flowers, fruit and vegetables within the district.” In the first year of newly constituted membership the total number of members, subscribers and donors of special prizes was 198. The area for Open classes was extended to those living within a 10 mile radius. Local classes were open to those within a 5 mile radius.

As well as the usual flower and produce show the 1950 event, held on Saturday, July 22^nd, also included a Cycling and Athletic meeting, which had a separate programme. Unfortunately there was heavy rain on the day but the sports still went ahead. Although the conditions were treacherous, some surprisingly good times were achieved for the cycling. Several other events including the children’s sports had to be cancelled. The Stratford Herald reported that the show was the most ambitious held by the Society and probably the largest village show to be staged in the Midlands. There were 560 entries and 10 trade exhibits.

At the annual meeting of the Society in October it was reported that the number of exhibitors and sports entrants indicated enthusiasm for the show. However, despite the great success of the show, there was a financial loss because of the terrible weather conditions. In order for the show to continue a special appeal was launched, to which there was a magnificent response – nearly everyone in the village subscribed.

A similar event was staged in 1951 with additional Festival of Britain events. The sports programme was organised in co-operation with the NCU and included the Midland Championship Cycling Meeting. There was a large fun fair, a silver band and bowling for the pig. An added attraction was a procession and crowning of the Floral Queen, chosen at an earlier event. 

At the annual meeting of the Society in November 1951 it was reported that the Wellesbourne Flower Show was thriving at a time when many shows in the area were finding it difficult to continue. Their greatest asset was the enthusiasm in the village for this annual festival. They agreed that sports in the 1952 show should have a more local appeal. 

The shows continued up to 1955 featuring the procession and crowning of the floral queen, children’s sports, the popular tug-o’war and dancing in the evening.

Crisis

In 1956, following the resignation of the treasurer and secretary with no one willing to take on the roles, it was decided that there would be no show that year.

The show was revived in 1957 with a new look. It was held in the WI hall and featured the usual flower and produce exhibition but the number of classes was reduced.  There was tug o’ war, bowling for the pig, children’s sports and a dance from 9-11.45pm.

1960 to present day

The show was in doubt again in 1960 as the future of the WI hut was uncertain. However the show went ahead there in 1960 and 1961. In 1962, following the demolition of the WI hut, the show moved to the Concert Hall in the Conservative Club. The 1962 and 1963 shows also incorporated the Heart of England Tug O’ War championship.

In 1963 the show was held in conjunction with a Gala Fete organised by the Village Hall Management Committee and there was also a carnival procession.

In 1964 there was the usual flower show but there were no other attractions. There was no show in 1965 but the show was revived in 1966 and held in the newly opened Village Hall for the first time.

At the annual meeting in November 1967 it was decided unanimously to hold 2 shows in 1968 – Spring and Summer.

The 2 shows have continued in much the same way up to the present day. The Autumn show in 1995 was cancelled due to the prolonged summer drought. It was cancelled again in 1997 as the date coincided with the day of Princess Diana’s funeral. The shows also had to be cancelled in 2020 and Spring 2021 because of Covid restrictions. The Autumn 2021 show was held in the Sports Centre and social distancing was managed around the exhibition. 

The latest innovation is our website, launched in July 2025. This enables us to promote the show, provide details of the classes and facilitate online entries. Over its long history the Wellesbourne Flower Show has overcome many difficulties and has always been highly regarded. In the early 1950s it provided a real gala day for the village. Such a large event required a great deal of organisation and it was hard to find people with the time and commitment required. The current show is managed by a very small committee dedicated to the continuation of the show tradition.