Memories
Related sites:
The
Cottage Garden Show, 1939
The Cottage Garden
Show, 1930
The Three Villages Show, 1931
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This article is typical of the reports of shows from
the 1930s. Containing a huge amount of detail but packed into a single
column, it was difficult to read. However, the families who took part no
doubt sought their names among the lists. This article appeared in the
'Reading Mercury' of 15th August 1936 along with a few photographs.
The image shown below formed the front page of a supplement to a national
farming magazine, with this now-unacceptable caption:
RECORD FIGURES AT ARBORFIELD
Popularity of
Show
PONY CLASSES
WELL FILLED
Favoured by brilliant sunshine, the
Newland, Arborfield and Barkham Cottage Garden Society's
show at the Remount Depot,
Arborfield
, attracted a record crowd on Saturday [8th August]. It
was the 13th annual show of the society, and some of
the members were on the original committee.
The
entries, including nearly 300 in the pony events, totalled over 600, and
constituted a record. In the horticulture section, onions and potatoes
were outstanding; sweet peas and table decorations were good. A feature
was the enterprise of the school children.
The judges were:
Mr. A. E. Barnes (horticultural instructor, Berks C.C.), and
Mr. A.
C. Blackwell, of Winnersh Nurseries (horticultural),
Miss Lina Simonds
(boys' handwork),
Miss L. Simonds, Mrs. Hart and Miss Lloyd
(needlework),
Mrs. Scott-Murray (table decoration),
Mr. A. Barker
(boys' woodwork),
Mr. Will Hooley (eggs and poultry),
Miss Wilton
and Mr. C. Pigg (cookery and domestic classes),
Miss Stiles and Miss
Elizabeth Simonds (drawings and paintings).
The Show Officials
Mrs. Sturges is the president of the society, with
Mr. John H.
Simonds, Mrs. Simonds, Mrs. Williamson
, Mrs. Prescott and Miss Jervoise
vice-presidents.
The committee responsible for the organisation was Captain C. Hart
(chairman), Miss Lloyd (vice-chairman), Messrs. F. Armstrong, P. Ayres, C.
Bringloe, A. J. Bentley, S. G. Bentley, F. Barker, N. C. S. Bone, E.
Cordery, S. Cook, W. B. Cox, A. Edwards, M. Goddard, W. C. Grant, W.
Hooley, J. Hunt, A. H. Inglis, A. F. Jones, E. O. Jones, B. Kent, A.
Lyford, E. Love, A. Martin, R. J. Middleton, jun., C. H. Steele, J.
Sommerville, W. Scott, T. H. Windsor, W. White, Mesdames Anderson, A. J.
Bentley, Guy Bentley, Hart, Hooley, Hunt, Jones, Kent, Scott and Smith.
Great credit is also reflected to the hon.
secretary, Mr. W. J.
Verrall
, who was carrying out those duties for the tenth time. He was
supported by another stalwart of the society, Mr. A. Barker, who acted as
hon. treasurer.
Much of the success of Arborfield Show is due to the untiring efforts
of Mrs. J. H. Simonds, who again arranged the children's pony classes and
mounted gymkhana events for children. She was ably assisted by Miss
Stiles. This year there was an unusual novelty, a class for the dog like
its owner, and the premier award was given to Miss A. Seth Smith, of Upton
Grey, Basingstoke, who exhibited a Yorkshire terrier.
The fancy dress event was again popular. The judges for the various
classes were: Miss Effie Barker, M.F.H., Mr. and Mrs. G. P. Male, Mr. and
Mrs. C. Payne, Mr. Sam Marsh, Dr. G. Halpin and Miss Tanqueray.
There was also a good programme of sports. Side-shows and roundabouts
and competitions attracted the attention of many.
The Results
Division A
- Cottagers Only
Collections of vegetables: 1, T. H. Windsor; 2, E. Cordery; 3, W.
Scott.
Beans, dwarf French: 1, T. H. Windsor; 2, W. White, 3, E.
Cordery.
Ditto, runner: 1, T. H. Windsor; 2, E. Cordery; 3, F. M.
Barker.
Beet,
turnip: 1, W. Streak; 2, T. H. Windsor.
Caulifowers:
1, E. Cordery.
Cabbage: 1, E. Cordery; 2, W. Streak; 3, R. J.
Middleton, jun.
Long
carrots: 1, T. H. Windsor; 2, W. Scott; 3, R.
Middleton, jun.
Short carrots: 1, W. Streak; 2, T. H. Windsor; 3, W.
Scott.
Cos
lettuce: 1, C. H. Steele, 2, B. Kent; 3, E.
Cordery.
Onions: 1, R. J. Middleton, jun.; 2, C. H. Steele; 3, E.
Cordery.
Peas: 1, C. Steele; 2, E. Cordery; 3, R. J. Middleton, jun.;
h.c. [highly commended] W. Streak.
Potatoes, white kidney: 1, T. H.
Windsor; 2, E. Cordery; 3, W. White.
Ditto, white round: 1, R. J.
Middleton, jun.; 2, E. Cordery; 3, T. H. Windsor.
Ditto, coloured: 1,
C. H. Steele; 2, W. Streak; 3, W. Scott.
Rhubarb: 1, C. H. Steele; 2,
E. Cordery.
Shallots: 1, W. Streak, 2, T. H. Windsor; 3, F. M.
Barker.
Vegetable
marrows: 1, E. Neville; 2: C. Bringloe; 3, C. H.
Steele.
Collection of herbs:
1, T. H. Windsor; 2, E. Cordery.
Flowers
Garden flowers:
1, E. Neville; 2, C. H. Steele; 3, F. H. Hunt; h.c. [highly commended] E.
Cordery.
Roses: 1, C. H. Steele; 2, W. C. Grant; 3, F. M.
Barker.
Geraniums: 1, C. H. Steele; 2, E. Cordery; 3, R. Middleton,
sen.
Bouquet of
garden flowers: 1, E. Cordery; 2, W. Scott; 3, W.
White; 4, E. Neville.
Sweet peas: 1, C. H. Steele; 2, F. H. Hunt; 3, J.
Druett.
Stocks: 1, E. Cordery; 2, C. H. Steele; 3, W. Scott.
Fruit Apples,
culinary:
1, W. C. Grant; 2, C. H. Steele; 3, A.
Edwards.
Apples, dessert: 1, C. Bringloe; 2, F. M. Barker; 3, W. C.
Grant.
White
gooseberries: 1, W. Scott; 2, E. Neville.
Red gooseberries:
1, E. Neville; 2, W. White.
Three dishes of fruit: 1, A.
Edwards; 2, R. Middleton, sen.; 3, S. G. Bentley.
Plums: 1, R.
Middleton, sen.; 2, E. Cordery; 3, T. H. Windsor.
DIVISION B
- Cottagers Not Winning More
than 10s. in Division A Last Year
Collection of vegetables: 1, S. G. Bentley; 2, R. Middleton,
sen.
Runner
beans: 1, P. Ayres; 2, S. G. Bentley; 3, F.
Middleton.
Beet: 1, A. Edwards; 2, P. Ayres; 3, B. Kent.
Cabbage:
1, P. Ayres; 2, T. A. Browne; 3, F. Middleton.
Carrots: 1, A. Edwards;
2, T. A. Browne; 3, P. Ayres.
Cos lettuce: 1, B. Kent; 2, B. Middleton,
sen.
Onions: 1, S. G. Bentley; 2, W. Streak; 3, A. Edwards.
Peas: 1,
P. Ayres; 2, B. Kent; 3, C. Bringloe.
Potatoes, kidney: 1, T. A.
Browne; 2, C. Bringloe; 3, J. Hayward.
Potatoes,
round: 1, C. Bringloe;
2, W. Streak; 3, W. Wheeler.
Shallots: 1, W. Streak; 2, A. Edwards; 3,
P. Ayres.
Marrows: 1, J. Hayward; 2, C. Bringloe; 3, R. Middleton,
sen.
Vase of garden flowers: 1, W. Streak; 2, S. G. Bentley; 3, P.
Ayres.
DIVISION C
Boiled potatoes: 1, Mrs. C. Bringloe; 2, Mrs. E. Cordery; 3, Mrs. B.
Kent.
Baked custard: 1, Mrs. A. Edwards; 2, Mrs. F. Middleton; 3, Mrs.
A. F. Jones.
Home-made jam: 1, Mrs. E. Cordery; 2, Mrs. E. L. Bentley;
3, Mrs. F. H. Hunt; 4, Mrs. Druett.
Home-made seed cake: 1, Mrs. M.
Cox; 2, Mrs. Druett; 3, Mrs. Flower.
Home-made
fruit cake: 1, Mrs. B.
Kent; 2, Mrs. F. M. Barker; 3, Mrs. W. White.
Sausage rolls: 1, Mrs.
Flower; 2, Mrs. M. Cox; 3, Mrs. Luxton.
Ginger cake: 1, Mrs. W. White;
2, Mrs. B. Kent; 3, Mrs. Flower.
Hens' eggs,
brown: 1, R. J. Middleton,
jun.; 2, E. Cordery.
Ditto, white: 1, R. J. Middleton; 2, S. Cook; 3,
C. H. Steele.
Ditto,
tinted: 1, S. Cook; 2, A. Edwards; 3, E.
Cordery.
Fowl, trussed for table: 1, S. Cook; 2, E. Cordery; 3, B.
Kent.
Needlework
Hand-made frock for small child: 1, Miss E. Barker; 2,
Mrs. R. Middleton, sen.; 3, Mrs. B. Kent.
Ladies' summer dress, machine made:
1, Mrs. Scott; 2, Mrs. B. Kent; 3, Mrs. R. Middleton,
sen.
Knitted cardigan or jumper: 1, Miss L. Windsor; 2, Mrs. C.
Bringloe.
Schoolchildren's
Classes
Plain nightdress:
1, R. Strong; 2, M.
Nailor; 3, D. Bennett.
Pillow
case: 1, G. Davis; 2, M. Luxton; 3 (tie):
P. Cordery and B. May.
Child's knitted vest : 1, G. Davis; 2, J. Barkus;
3, J. Bush.
Boy's
socks: 1, P. Cordery; 2, D. Bennett; 3, M.
Nailor.
Bouquets of wild flowers and
grasses: 1, J. Leadbetter; 2, M.
Nailor; 3, B. Day; 4, P. Cordery.
Drawing: 1, A. Bush; 2, R. Read; 3,
P. Cordery; special, V. Salisbury.
Colour, pastel or water colour: 1,
W. Barkus; 2, R. Cordery; 3, C. Cooper; 4, F. Wilson.
Wood or cardboard model:
1, A. Bush; 2, A. Day; 3, C. Clark.
Cane or sea-grass
seating:
1, C. Clark and M. Hunt; 2, A. Day and L. Sharp; 3, C. Clark and W.
Streak; 4, R. Cordery.
Sweet
peas: 1, J. M. Grant; 2, B. May; 3, Q.
Butler.
Lady Members
Floral table decoration: 1, Mrs. A. F. Jones; 2, Mrs. E.
Simonds; 3, Mrs. Prescott; 4, Mrs. S. G. Bentley; 5, Mrs. Kent.
Mr. C. H. Steele won the "Williamson" Cup for obtaining the largest
aggregate of points for flowers for the third year in succession. Mr. E.
Cordery won the silver championship medal for the largest aggregate of
points (54), and a bronze medal was awarded to Mr. C. H. Steele for the
second largest aggregate (45). Certificates of merit were obtained by T.
H. Windsor and P. Ayres.
Mrs. Scott and Mrs. Jones were in charge of the ladies' bowling, which
was won by Mrs. Hopwood. Mr. A. Edwards supervised the bowling for a pig,
won by Mr. F. Coles, of Bear Wood.
A novel competition was guessing the weight of a horse. Mr. Frank
Barker won a prize for guessing its weight: 10 cwt. 42 lbs.
The Sports
Captain C. Hart organised the sports and was assisted by Messrs. A. B.
Inglis, W. Cox, S. Bennett, E. Cordery. W. R. Cox and R. J. Middleton,
jun.
The results -
Girls, under 10: 1, J. Barker; 2, Q. Butler; 3, P. Ings.
Girls,
10-14:
1, J. Barkus; 2, M. Windsor; 3, Lily Dicker.
Boys, under 10: 1,
H. Cox; 2, W. Streak; 3, A. Barkus.
Boys,
10-14 : 1, A. Peters; 2, H.
Wallace; 3, P. Jeffries.
Children, under 5: 1, D. Gibbard; 2, F.
Barker; 3, G. Main.
Ladies:
15-30: 1, H. Peters; 2, Miss M. Jones; 3,
Miss M. Potter.
Married ladies, over 30: 1, Mrs. Coles; 2, Mrs.
Murrell; 3, Mrs. Simonds.
Ladies' egg and spoon race: 1, Mrs. Jones; 2,
Mrs. Murrell; 3, Mrs. Simonds.
Gentlemen's 100 yards: 1, Mr. Charlton;
2, Mr. F. Stokes; 3, Mr. W. Hayward.
Veterans' race: 1, Mr. Hawkins; 2,
Mr. W. White; 3, Mr. Hayward.
Musical
chairs: 1, C. Nailor; 2, F.
Charlton; 3, A. Inglis.
Tilting the bucket: 1, H. Woolford
and A.
Allaway; 2, E. Cordery and E. Neville; 3, E. and W. Middleton.
The Gymkhana
Best child's pony (not exceeding 14.3
hands, rider not over 16):
1, Miss S. Phillips; 2, Miss E. Gardner; 3, Miss S. Muir.
Child's pony
(not exceeding 13.1 hands, rider not over 12):
1, Joe Weatherill; 2, Joan
Phillips; 3, Miss M. Allfrey.
Jumping: 1 and 3, Phillip Gardner; 2,
Miss P. A. Angier; 4, Miss P. Ranger.
Special prize for children of 13 years or
under
: David Angier.
Special
prize for Garth Hunt Pony Club members:
Conrad Williamson.
Small dog: 1, Mrs. Sturges; 2, Miss M.
Somerset; 3, Miss E. Barker.
Dog most
resembling exhibitor: 1, Miss
Seth Smith; 2: Miss S. Middleton; 3: Miss M. Storey.
Surprise
event: 1,
Miss Seth Smith; 2, Mr. Pat Simonds.
Fancy dress parade: 1, Mrs. Crocker
and party (Coster's cart); 2, William Muir (General); 3, Miss S. Lewis
(Highwayman); 4, Mrs. Simonds ("Learner").
Local prize: Mr.
Bringloe.
Bicycle prize: Miss Drewitt.
Musical chairs (in fancy dress):
1, Miss P. Alice; 2, Miss C. Black.
Musical
chairs: 1, Miss P.
Alice; 2, Miss R. Gardner; 3, Miss I. Forbes (Wendy).
Button race: 1,
Miss P. Ranger; 2, Miss M. Somerset; 3, Michael Russell.
Apple bobbing:
1, Miss E. Muir; 2, Miss P. Ranger; 3, Miss A. Jacob.
(On a different page, under the village heading 'ARBORFIELD'):
NOVELTIES OF THE SHOW: - At the Newland, Arborfield and Barkham Show,
altogether there were 271 entries in the pony classes, which is a record.
A correspondent writes:-
The class for dogs most
resembling the exhibitor was a new class, and caused much amusement. The
fancy dress parade caused most stir round the ringside. Mrs. Simonds,
herself an able rider, dressed and rode as a learner. Then there was Mrs.
Crocker's band of gypsies, which gained the first prize, and Mr.
Bringloe's goats pulling the caravan named the "Wanderers", securing the
local prize. Joan Hart, with her donkey, as an exact replica of "Peg of
Drury lane". Miss Drewitt had decorated her bicycle to look like the
rainbow, and Miss Stiles, as a burly policeman, conducted her little black
dog, who was a learner on a bicycle, while her sister was a Victorian lady
on a bicycle, and hence afraid of modern traffic.
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