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
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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
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Prize winners Page 1 Bawdrip
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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
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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
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Pict 0002 First inside page
listing President, committee, etc, and special
prizes. Bawdrip
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Pict 0003 Schedule of Sections
A & B Bawdrip
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Pict 0004 C D & E Bawdrip
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Pict 0005 F & G Bawdrip
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Pict 0006 A programme of sports Bawdrip
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Pict 0007 Entry form Bawdrip
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Pict 0008 Football competition,
list of participants for 13th Nov 1954 Bawdrip
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Pict 0009 same but for 5th
Feb 1955 Bawdrip
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Pict 0010 A sample of the
football cards Bawdrip
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Pict 0011 A list of child
prize winners, probably for handwriting in one of the flower shows Bawdrip
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Pict 0012 Bill from Capello Printing Co, Mill St, Watchet
Bawdrip
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Pict 0013 Letter from
Bridgwater & District Allotment Holders Association Bawdrip
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Pict 0014 Bill from C Haggett, Sunset View, Knowle Bawdrip
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Pict 0015 Letter from
Education Committee, SCC Bawdrip
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Pict 0016 Letter from Somerset
Farm Institute Bawdrip
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Pict 0017 Letter from The
Premier Ballroom Orchestra & Dance Band Bawdrip
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Pict 0018 Bill from Pitman
Ltd, Pastrycooks & confectioners, 15 Eastover Bawdrip
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Pict 0019 Bill from Rossiters, Bakers & confectioners, 24 St Mary St Bawdrip
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Pict 0020 Bill from J Lockyer,
Marquee & tent contractors, East Huntspill Bawdrip
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Pict 0021 Bill from RE Mills
Ltd, Eastover Bawdrip
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Pict 0022 Bill from JC Nation
& son, Bath Road Bawdrip
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Pict 0023 Bill from the
Bridgwater Mercury Bawdrip
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Pict 0024 Bill from LC Bawdon, The Garage, Puriton Bawdrip
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Pict 0025 Bill from Country
Gas Ltd, Northgate Bawdrip
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Pict 0026 Bill for hire of the
hall 1954/55 Bawdrip
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Pict 0027 Page from Midland
Bank book for 1931 Bawdrip
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Pict 0028 List of persons who
bought vegetable seeds during 1962/3 Bawdrip
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