Broomfield Cottage Gardeners’ Society
Affiliated with the Royal Horticultural Society & National Dahlia Society
Founded 1879
© BROOMFIELD COTTAGE GARDENERS’ SOCIETY 2015-
The Society’s objectives are the support, development, improvement and promotion of good horticultural practices in and around Broomfield for the benefit of all ages and abilities.
Objectives
Broomfield Cottage Gardeners’ Society has been in existence for well over 100 years. 1879 is generally accepted as the year in which it was founded. However, there is little doubt that there were flower shows in Broomfield before that date.
The Society has had its ups and downs; there have been interruptions from two World Wars, Gymkhanas, children’s sports, bands, concours d’elegance, venues in the grounds of the big houses, marquees, and even piano smashing competitions have come and gone, but still the Flower and Produce Shows go on.
Some things do not change. In 1913 the Annual Flower Show (there was only one show per year in those days) attracted 374 entries. In 2007 the Summer Show attracted 374 entries. However, in 1913 the Society had 173 members, in 2008 the number stood at 250.
From the original concept, a Flower Show once a year displaying the best efforts of the professional gardeners and the humble cottagers, we now have two Shows each year. The division between professionals and amateurs and between ladies and servants has gone, exhibits have expanded to encompass handicrafts and photography. The changes of venue are no more and we may have lost some of the ‘village fair’ atmosphere of days gone by. The Society has expanded in other ways since those early days -
A booklet published in 2009 by Broomfield Cottage Gardeners’ Society with text by the late Ken Searles -
Brief History