The Bawdrip Flower Show.

 

 

Fred Sims was the secretary and Walter Bown was the treasurer for the flower show during the 1950’s & 60’s until presumably support dwindled and the organization and the annual show died out. Unfortunately, regrettably, I never had occasion to speak to him about any of this. Other local people may have more information on how these events played out.

Luckily when things came to an end Walter Bown stored away some of the old accounts books and documents in the loft and these were re discovered after he died in 2008:

 

The first entry in an old accounts book of the ‘Bawdrip and Chedzoy Allotment Holders and Gardeners Association’, is a balance sheet for the Chedzoy show of August 25th 1928,   Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)

 

The following year it was held at Bawdrip on August 15th 1929. Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)

 

The show was at Chedzoy again on August 14th 1930. Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)

 

Then at Bawdrip on August 22nd 1931. Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)

 

 All subsequent shows appear to have then been held at Bawdrip.

 

 

 

The above pics were taken by Albert Rouault, possibly in the early 1920’s. Close examination shows that the event was held in the school field, judging by the backgrounds in the pics.

A copy of the third pic, 134b, also appears in the SS collection and is annotated as follows: ‘Bawdrip Flower show in what is now the school playing field, pre 1917. Chap on right in straw boater, the Rev Cass, back towards camera Walt Crane, (Jack Cranes father), to his left Frank Dight, extreme left by girl, Alf Wensley.

   However, the roll call of vicars in the church lists Rev Cass being the vicar from 1919-1946 so the photo was probably after 1919.

 

There was a photo of the1949 show: Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)    

 

Documents from the 1955 show included various sports events as well as the flower & produce competitions 

 

Balance sheet  Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)

 

Prize winners Page 1  Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)

Prize winners were listed as follows, some with signatures: F Sims, R Pitman, G Durston, G O Durston, E Parkes, L Durston, PAF Caluminus, D Billing, Mrs Hooper, Mr Hooper, C Hooper, H Hooper, RE Coombes, Den Howe, WJ Conduit, Doug Howe, EA Bishop, A Gilbert, H Williams, Mrs Williams, PE Adams, Mrs Adams, Mrs Cheek, P Durston, Mrs E Durston, Mr CE Groves

 

Prize winners Page 2  Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)

Prize winners were listed as follows, some with signatures: ES Durston, W Bown, C Hooper, LS Howe, FR March, Mrs H Sims, C Conduit, S March, D Shaw, A Crocker, S Bown, B Crocker, B Hancock, D Hunter, C Hancock, E Pollard, L Cattermoul, S Braddick, B March, J Durston, H Pollard.

 

 

Further documents containing local names etc…..

 

Pict 0001 Front cover of Annual Show booklet for 13th Aug 1955 Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)

Pict 0002 First inside page listing President, committee, etc, and special prizes. Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)

Pict 0003 Schedule of Sections A & B  Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)

Pict 0004 C D & E Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)

Pict 0005 F & G Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)

Pict 0006 A programme of sports Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)

Pict 0007 Entry form Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)

Pict 0008 Football competition, list of participants for 13th Nov 1954 Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)

Pict 0009 same but for 5th Feb 1955 Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)

Pict 0010 A sample of the football cards Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)

Pict 0011 A list of child prize winners, probably for handwriting in one of the flower shows Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)

Pict 0012 Bill from Capello Printing Co, Mill St, Watchet Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)

Pict 0013 Letter from Bridgwater & District Allotment Holders Association Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)

Pict 0014 Bill from C Haggett, Sunset View, Knowle Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)

Pict 0015 Letter from Education Committee, SCC Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)

Pict 0016 Letter from Somerset Farm Institute Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)

Pict 0017 Letter from The Premier Ballroom Orchestra & Dance Band Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)

Pict 0018 Bill from Pitman Ltd, Pastrycooks & confectioners, 15 Eastover Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)

Pict 0019 Bill from Rossiters, Bakers & confectioners, 24 St Mary St Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)

Pict 0020 Bill from J Lockyer, Marquee & tent contractors, East Huntspill Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)

Pict 0021 Bill from RE Mills Ltd, Eastover Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)

Pict 0022 Bill from JC Nation & son, Bath Road Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)

Pict 0023 Bill from the Bridgwater Mercury Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)

Pict 0024 Bill from LC Bawdon, The Garage, Puriton Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)

Pict 0025 Bill from Country Gas Ltd, Northgate Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)

Pict 0026 Bill for hire of the hall 1954/55 Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)

Pict 0027 Page from Midland Bank book for 1931 Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)

Pict 0028 List of persons who bought vegetable seeds during 1962/3 Bawdrip Flower Show - OneDrive (live.com)