Here's the report of the 1888 St Ives Flower show as published in the Hunts Guardian & East Midland dated 21 July 1888. It's preceded by a letter written to the newspaper earlier in the year suggesting additional classes. You can read a history of the show and access all the links for newspaper articles and other information about the show at Allotment Heaven: St Ives Flower Show from 1876.
If you are doing a family history search and are interested if your ancestor's surname appears as a prizewinner or official, just search for their surname within this page. Because spellings sometimes vary it might be worthwhile using the first few characters for the search. Not sure how to search within this page? For guidance click Allotment Heaven: How to find text within a web page.
Fenstanton, April 18, 1888
ST IVES FLOWER SHOW
TO THE EDITOR OF "THE HUNTS COUNTY GUARDIAN"
SIR, - Might I be allowed, as an outsider, to make a suggestion with regard to the above Show, namely that a few classes be added to the bird section, for Poultry, Pigeons and Rabbits. It would, I think, add greatly to the interest of the Show, and would do much to encourage the fancy in the neighbourhood.
Yours very truly,
FANCIER
21st July 1888
ST. IVES FLOWER SHOW
This important fixture, which is always regarded with much pleasurable interest throughout the county of Hunts (it being the principle floricultural and horticultural exhibition in the shire) came off on Thursday afternoon, and was a brilliant success. True, the attendance was scarcely so large in the afternoon as on some former occasions, but this may be put down to the variable weather we have recently been experiencing, many persons being naturally afraid to venture on attending an al fresco gathering. The weather, however, although it threatened in the morning and even at mid-day, turned out fine, and ensured the enjoyment of those who attended the show. The committee this year decided on a more pretentious affair than usual, and in addition to the ordinary exhibits of flowers, fruit, and vegetables engaged a number of variety artistes.
The show was under the presidency of the mayor (Mr. W. W. Warner); the Vice-presidents being as follows:- Messrs. Thos. Coote, Thos. King, John Wadsworth, Thos. Knights, F. Warren, Henry Goodman and Read Adams.
The Stewards of Management:- Messrs. Wm King, Thos. Knights, jun., G. D. Day, B Giddings, R. Warner, and E. Feary; Hon. Secretaries: Messrs. R. M. Copley, and G. Chapman. Secretary, Mr Sellsby Wilson. Below are the members of the General Committee:- Mr. A. Bunting, Fenstanton; Mr. G. W. Brown, Houghton; Mr. E. G. Bevan, Hemingford; Mr. J. A. Baker, St Ives; Mr. E. Cranfield, St Ives; Mr. G. N. Day, St Ives; Dr. Grove, St Ives; Mr. H. I. Hankin, St Ives; Rev. H. Herbert, Hemingford; Rev. C. Hoskyns, Holywell; Mr. R. Hewlins, Fenstanton; Mr. T. Inskip, St Ives; Mr. G. Long, Hemingford Grey; Mr. W. H. D. Mence, St Ives; Mr. C. Mason, Houghton; Mr. E. R. Odams, Fenstanton; Mr. R. M. Osborne, St Ives; Mr. A. Sperling, Lattenbury Hill; Mr. Thos. Seekings, Earith; Mr Sanders Spencer, Holywell; Mr. W. M. Turner, St Ives; Mr. W. A. Vatts, St Ives; Mr. J. Wilson, St Ives.
The judges were : Messrs. J. Wood Ingram, Huntingdon; Thomas Tilbrooke, gardener to Mr. Bateman Brown, Houghton; Hopkins, gardener to Lord de Ramsey; Myers, gardener to the Earl of Sandwich; T. Smith, gardener to Miss Cheere, Papworth Hall; and R. Hobday, Ramsey.
A portion of the tennis ground was set apart, and on this a flying trapese, horizontal bar, and other apparatus were erected. The "Celebrated Yokohama Troupe" entertained the visitors with a variety of exceedingly clever juggling and balancing feats; the Bale Family (mother and three children - two girls and a boy) performed some exceedingly good feats on a bicycles, and were warmly applauded; Ello, a child, showed herself wonderfully clever on the tight wire; Allo and Elverton exhibited a variety of gymnastic performances, in addition to which there were also feats on the horizontal bar, &c. This addition to the usual bill of fare occasioned much congratulatory comment.
The grounds presented a very pretty appearance, especially in the vicinity of the dancing "ring" and band-stand, which were gay with flags and decorations, and fairy lamps and Chinese lanterns ready for lighting in the evening. This work of ornamentation engaged attention from four o'clock a.m., under the superintendence of Mr. G. E. Court.
The exhibits were well-arranged in two large tents, one being devoted to amateurs' and the other to cottagers' classes. The first named was the centre of attraction and was thronged with admirers throughout the afternoon and evening. Mr. H. W. Apthorpe won a special prize with a grand show of gloxinias, and also succeeded in getting second card in a special and well-filled class for begonias, the first award going to Mr. W. Bourne. The special prize offered for herbaceous plants elicited a good competition; the first and second prizes went to Mr. Wm. Bourne and Mr. Apthorpe. Miss Cheere (Papworth) was successful in several classes, and showed some beautiful floral specimens. The show of roses for special prizes was not worth particular comment, but the show of blooms in the ordinary classes was a grand one. The five guinea rose prizes of former years, which attracted exhibitors from all parts of the country, were this year discontinued. Other exhibits deserving special menton were those in the classes for stove or green-house flowers and ferns, for herbaceous plants and for fuschias. The appearance of the tent was much enhanced by exhibits of various palms, ferns, foliage and flowering plants &c, for competition, and also kindly not sent for competition by local gentlemen. It is a question if this year's amateur show as a whole has ever been surpassed.
The cottager's classes were moderately well filled, and the exhibits were as a rule very creditable.
Refreshments of a light character were industrially dispensed in a special tent by Mr. C. A. Stiles, and a "sit-down" tea was also provided for the benefit of numerous visitors, who greatly appreciated the provision made for their comfort.
It should be remarked that the town of St. Ives was en fete for the occasion; flags were suspended in all directions, and there was almost a total cessation of business, many of the establishements closing at two o'clock.
The Rushden Temperance Silver Prize Band were engaged for the occasion, and (under the conductorship of Mr. W. Skinner) played a capital selection of music in the afternoon, their performances being greatly appreciated. In the evening the same musicians played a selection of dance music, to the strains of which a numerous admirers of the Terpischore engaged in dancing on the green.
The grounds in the evening presented a very pretty and animated appearance; there was a large attendance although a charge of sixpence had to be made for admission. Rows of coloured lights were displayed round the band-stand and dancing enclosure, having a very pretty effect. At dusk there was a capital display of fireworks by Messrs. Brock, of Crystal Palace, and a fire-balloon was also successfully sent up.
PRIZE LIST
COTTAGERS.
VEGETABLES.
12 Kidney potatoes - 1 Robert Howson, 2 Hazor Cox, 3 H Woods.
12 round ditto - 1 E Harrison, 2 Thos Andrews, 3 G Potter.
12 Early Rose ditto - 1 Hazor Cox, 2 Alf Abrams, 3 Thos Johnson.
12 potatoes (3 varieties) - 1 Hazor Cox, 2 G Potter, 3 E Harrison.
4 stalks rhubarb - 1 A Lines, 2 G Smith, 3 W Thompson
30 pods peas - 1 A Lines, 2 A Coulson, 3 Wm Leeds, 4 Jas Brown
20 pods broad beans - 1 Chas Penning, 2 Jas Knights, 3 Saml Chambers.
20 pods scarlet runners - 1 Saml Newman.
20 pods French beans - 1 Saml Newman.
10 onions - 1 Saml Chambers, 2 C Penning, 3. H Forham.
10 onions (autumn sown) - 1 G Hurst, 2 E Harrison, 3 Saml Chambers.
2 cabbages - 1. Chas Penning, 2 W Leeds, 3 Jas Brown.
2 cauliflowers - 1. C Hobbs, 2 A Coulson, 3 - Giblett
10 carrots - 1 W Howell, 2 S Fordham, 3 C (illegible)
3 cos lettuce - 1. C Hobbs, 2 E Harrison, 3 Hazor Cox.
3 cabbage lettuces - 1 C Hobbs, 2 Jos Seymour, sen, 3 E Harrison.
Pot herbs - 1 Hazor Cox, 2 E Harrison, 3 G Smith.
Basket of vegetables - 1 E Harrison, 2 C Hobbs, 3 Thos Andrews.
Basket of salad - 1 E Harrison, 2 Jas Brown, 3 Jos Seymour, sen.
2 vegetable marrows - 1 S Chambers
2 ridge cucumbers - 1 C Hobbs
12 radishes - 1 Jos Seymour, sen, 2 C Hobbs.
12 Turnip ditto - 1 Jos Seymour, sen, 2. G Smith.
10 parsnips - 1. A Coulson, 2 W Howell, 3 Jos Bullen.
FRUITS
6 Kitchen apples - 1 W Smith, 2 J Turner, 3 S Fordham
6 dessert ditto - no entries.
12 Gooseberries - 1 H Woods, 2 T Garner, 3 H Fordham.
1/2lb gooseberries (flavour) - 1 C Seekings, 2 H Woods, 3 A Coulson.
12 strawberries - 1 T Andrews, 2 S Newman.
1/2lb red currants - 1 H Howell, 2 T Garner, 3 S Newman.
1/2lb white ditto - 1 T Garner, 2 S Newman, 3 C Hobbs.
1/2lb black ditto - 1 S Fordham, 2 C Hobbs, 3 Jas Knights.
1/2lb raspberries - 1 A Coulson, 2 T Garner, 3 T Lord.
FLOWERS IN POTS
Monkey musk - 1 S Newman, 2 J Bullen, 3 G Smith.
2 variegated geraniums - 1 T Andrews, 2 Jos Seymour sen.
2 plain leaf ditto - 1 Jos Seymour, sen, 2 E Harrison.
2 pelargoniums - 1 T Andrews, 2 C Hobbs.
2 yellow calceolarias - 1 J Bullen, 2 C Hobbs, 3 Mrs Jeffs.
2 various ditto - 1 C Hobbs.
1 cactus - 1 C Green.
2 various fuschias - 1 C Penning, 2 Jos Seymour, sen, 3 H Fordham.
1 fuschia - 1 G Smith.
3 window plants - 1 J Seymour, sen, 2 J Bullen.
Hanging plant - 1 Mrs Walton, 2 Jos Bullen.
1 fern - 1 C Green, 2 J Whitlock.
1 pot musk - 1 J Bullen, 2 C Penning.
1 pot mignonette - 1 E Harrison, 2 Jos Seymour, sen, 3 H Lines.
Collection of plants - 1. J Bullen, 2 Mrs A Jeffs.
Best single specimen plant in show - 1 J Bullen
1 begonia - 1. Mrs A Jeffs, 2 J Bullen.
CUT FLOWERS
3 marigolds - 1 C Hobbs, 2 A Gifford.
3 verbenas - 1 T Andrews, 2 S Newman.
3 carnations - No award.
3 picotees - No award
3 stocks - 1. I Turner, 2 S Newman.
3 cut roses - 1 T Garner, 2 S Chambers.
3 phloxes - No award.
3 double zinnias - 1 W Gore, 2 S Newman.
3 single ditto - 1 W Gore, 2 S Newman.
3 hollyhocks - No award.
Nosegay of garden flowers - 1 Thompson, 2 C Hobbs, 3 Jos Seymour, sen.
Nosegay of wild flowers (girls under 15) - 1 C Gore, 2 Jane Seymour, 3 E Harrison.
Nosegay of wild flowers (boys under 15) - 1 Arthur Gore, 2 W Pratchett, Jos Seymour, jun.
2 balsams - 1 S Newman.
3 single dahlias - 1 W Gore.
6 cut flowers - 1 A Gifford, 2 J Whitlock, 3 W Gore.
3 pansies - 1 A Gifford, 2 S Newman.
6 pansies - 1 S Newman, 2 W Thompson.
3 sweet williams- 1 E Furnis, 2 A Gifford.
3 dahlias (various) - 1 W Gore.
SINGING BIRDS
Green canary - 1 T Tooke, 2 J Harrison.
Yellow do - 1 J Harrison 2 W Thompson.
Buff do - 1 J Harrison 2 C Hobbs.
Marked do - 1 Harrison 2 C Hobbs.
Goldfinch - 1 C Pennington 2 E Harrison.
Bullfinch - 1 J Harrison 2 J Golding.
Linnet - C Hobbs 2 Anna Golding.
Blackbird - 1 C James 2 F G Meadows.
Thrush - No award.
Collection of Birds (any variety) - 1 C Hobbs 2 E Harrison.
Best canary in the show - J Harrison.
Best glass of honey - no entries.
3 varieties of picotees, special prize, given by Mr F. Bailey, Cambridge - Hazor Cox
3 varieties of peas, special prize - 1 James Brown
2 varieties of onions, special prize - E Harrison
AMATEURS' CLASSES
FRUITS
Six kitchen apples - 1 R M Copley 2 A Sandifer.
Six dessert apples - no enties.
1/2lb raspberries - 1 William See 2 H J Hankin.
1/2lb red currants - 1 Woods 2 W See.
1/2lb white currants - 1 Thos Knights sen, 2 C O Peacock.
1/2lb black currents - 1 William Woods 2 W H Woods.
12 strawberries - 1 C P Tebbutt 2 Mrs G N Day.
12 gooseberries - 1 B Giddings 2 J Rayment.
1/2lb gooseberries (flavour) William See 2 R J Smith.
1lb cherries - 1 R M Copley 2 W Woods.
1lb of white cherries - 1 A Sandifer, no second.
1lb of black cherries - 1 R M Copley, 2 F Cristwell.
1lb of morello ditto - (no entries).
1 melon - Disqualified (not ripe).
VEGETABLES.
12 kidney potatoes - 1 W Woods, 2 L Harrison.
12 round kidney potatoes - 1 E Harrison, 2 Thos Andrews.
12 early rose potatoes - 1 E Harrison, 2 Mr C Culpin.
12 potatoes (3 varieties) - 1 E Harrison, 2 W Woods.
20 pods of peas - 1 C O Peacock, 2 W W Warner.
20 broad beans - 1 Chas Hobbs, 2 Geo Favell.
20 french beans - 1 R M Copley, 2 F Warren.
20 scarlet runners - No entries.
10 spring onions - 1 F Warren, 2 J Rayment.
10 autumn onions - 1 E Harrison, 2 G Favell.
3 cabbage lettuces - 1 R M Copley, 2 C Hobbs.
3 coss lettuces - 1 Wm See, G Favell.
2 cucumbers - 1 H Goodman, 2 F Warren.
1 cucumber - 1 Rev Hoskyns, 2 J Johnson junr.
2 cauliflowers - 1 Chas Hobbs, 2 Joseph Read.
10 carrotts - 1 Wm Hinson, 2 Rev Carroll.
10 turnips - 1 Wm Hinson, 2 T Andrews, 3 F Warren.
10 parsnips - 1 A Sandifer, 2 G Favell.
4 stalks rhubarb - 1 E Harrison, 2 C O Peacock.
2 vegetable marrows - 1 F Warren, no second.
6 tomatoes - 1 F Warren, 2 J Rayment.
2 cabbages - 1 W Hinson, 2 Rev T Carroll, 3 J Reed.
FLOWERS IN POTS
4 fuschias - 1 W W Warner, 2 T Coote junr.
2 fuschias - 1 T Coote junr, 2 H Goodman.
1 fuschia - 1 Miss Ulph, 2 H Goodman.
Single Zonal geraniums - 1 W W Warner.
3 single Zonal geraniums - no entries.
6 coleus - 1 H Goodman, no second.
3 coleus - 1 Rev C Hoskyns, no second.
4 plants in bloom - 1 F Warren, 2 H Goodman.
1 plant - 1 H Duberly, 2 W W Warner.
3 petunias (double) - No entries.
3 petunias (single) - No entries.
One hanging plant - 1 G Chapman, no second.
3 begonias - 1 F Warren, no second.
6 ferns - 1 Rev C Hoskyns, no second.
3 ferns - 1 T Knights, sen., 2 Miss A King.
1 fern - 1 G Chapman, 2 Mrs G Long.
4 foliage plants - no entries.
1 pot mignonette - 1 Charles Hobbs, no second.
1 pot musk - 1 G Chapman, 2 T Knights.
3 varieties German stocks - 1 H Goodman, 2 F Warren.
3 various German stocks - 1 F Warren, 2 R M Copley.
4 balsams - 1 R M Copley, no second.
2 balsams - no entries.
CUT FLOWERS.
3 varieties carnations - no entries.
3 carnations - no entries.
6 picotees - no entries.
12 roses - 1 E G Bevan, 2 Rev Hoskyns.
12 tea and noisette roses - 1 R M Copley, 2 Rev Hoskyns.
6 tea and noisette roses - 1 G Mordan 2 (illegible)
3 French marigolds - 1 Charles Hobbs, 2 A Gifford.
6 African marigolds - 1 R M Copley, 2 C Hobbs.
2 African marigolds - 1 C Hobbs, 2 R M Copley.
6 cut flowers - 1 C Hobbs, 2 Miss Ulph.
6 ditto herbaceous plants - 1 R M Copley, 2 A Gifford.
6 penstemons - no entries.
6 Phloxes - no entries.
3 dahlias - 1 C Hobbs.
3 cactus - 1 T Coote jun., 2 Rev C Hoskyns.
6 single dahlias - no entries.
3 ditto - 1 C Hobbs, 2 Rev C Hoskyns.
6 verbenas - 1 T King, 2 R M Copley.
6 pansies - 1 A Gifford, 2 R M Copley.
6 sweet williams - 1 A Gifford, 2 L Geeson.
3 ditto - 1 A Gifford, 2 T Knights, sen.
1 button-hole - 1 F Warren, 2 C Hobbs.
Hand Bouquet - no entries.
Basket of cut flowers except ferns and glass flowers - 1 Miss E M Copley, 2 Miss A King.
Ditto (not tied to supports) - 1 (given by Mr G P Wadsworth) Miss A King, 2 Miss Vardy.
Table decoration - 1 (given by Mr G P Wadsworth) Miss A King, 2 Miss Vardy.
WILD FLOWERS (CHILDREN UNDER 15).
Hand bouquet - 1 Lottie Woods, 2 Ada Hill.
Basket of Cut Flowers - 1 W and B Warren, 2 Clara Freeman.
Table decoration - 1 - Miss Warren, 2 Clara Freeman.
SPECIAL PRIZES.
OPEN CLASSES
12 hybrid perpetual roses (Amateurs only) - 1 (given by Mr E G Bevan) J L Curtis, 2 (given by Mr T King) F H Gall.
12 tea and noisette roses - 1 (given by Mr Bevan) J L Curtis, no 2nd.
FOR GENTLEMEN AMATEURS, AND GENTLEMENS' GARDENERS.
8 stove or greenhouse plants 1 (given by the Mayor) George Redmond, 2 (given by Mr F Warren) Miss Cheere, 3 (given by Mr J Wadsworth), no entry.
6 ferns - 1 (given by the Mayor) Miss Cheere, 2 Mrs G Long.
12 bunches of herbaceous flowers - 1 (given by Mrs Charrington) Wm Bowne, 2 W H Apthorpe, 3 Miss Cheere.
12 bunches of stove or greenhouse flowers - 1 (given by Mr F Warren), 2 Miss Cheere.
4 varieties of fruit - 1 (given by the Mayor), Miss Cheere, 2 (given by Mr J Wadsworth) F Warren.
8 tomatoes - 1 F Warren, no 2nd.
12 gloxinias - 1 (given by Mrs Charrington, W H Apthorpe, 2 (given by ditto) Wm. Bourne, 3 Miss Cheere.
1 begonia - 1 (given by Mr J Wadsworth) Wm Bourne, 2 W H Apthorpe, 3 T Coote jun.
12 coleus - 1 (given by Mr F Warren) F Warren, 2 W W Warner.
Foliage plant - 1 (given by Mr F Warren), G Redmond, 3 Mrs G Long.
Plant in bloom - 1 (given by Mr J Wadsworth) George Redmond, 2 Miss Cheere.
BEST COTTAGE ALLOTMENTS
1 - E Harrison, (Stratton's) 10s - 2, Thomas Andrews (Brown's) 7s 6d - 3, Hazor Cox (Stratton's) 6s - 4, James Abbott (Brown's) 5s - 5, F Aldous (Brown's) 4s - 6, Jos. Franks (Brown's) 3s - 7, Arthur Lines (Brown's) 2s 6d - 8, Chas. Chambers (Vicar's) 2s.
No comments:
Post a Comment