Writhlington Flower Show Committee has been busy preparing for, and is looking forward to celebrating, the very special 130th Flower Show and Fete on Saturday, 17th August.

The very first Flower Show was held in 1889, and was known as the Cottage Garden Society. Special Schedules for this year’s 130th show has a brief history of how it all began. There will be a small display of photographs and history of the Flower Show and some memorabilia of Writhlington in the village hall for people to view and look back on.

To commemorate this year’s show and create our own history, the Flower Show committee will present some special engraved glass awards for the Best Exhibits in each section.

The present day committee would love to see and welcome anyone who has had any connection with the Flower Show over the years, from past Presidents, Chairmen, Secretaries, committee members, their families and friends to come and join us on the day to catch up with old friends, enjoy a cup of tea and reminisce of times past.

On a sad note, the Flower Show has lost two of its long time Life Presidents this year, Geoffrey Swift and John Wilmott. Geoffrey, his parents and his sister, Janice, were lifelong

supporters and exhibitors of the Flower Show. Geoff would often recall the times when he was a boy and his father grew Chrysanthemums, entering them in the Village Flower Show.

John Wilmott was, for many years, the President of the Flower Show and a life-long supporter. His parents farmed at Manor Farm, where John grew up, and helped with the family farm. Both will be missed.

The Flower Show Committee are delighted to be presented with a new trophy from the family of the late Richard Moon. Richard lived in the village for many years, and his children attended St Mary’s Primary School. He encouraged his children and then grandchildren to enter the Flower Show, and I’m told he was always so proud when they came home with prizes or a trophy. His special interest was in the Children’s Handwriting competition, and he instilled in his own children to have good handwriting as a result.

It therefore seems fitting that the new trophy will be the Richard Moon Memorial Trophy for Best Children’s Handwriting. The committee would like to thank the Moon Family.

The 130th Flower Show and Fete will be opened at 2.30 p.m. by the Mayor of Radstock, Councillor Rupert Bevan. Norton Radstock Silver Band will provide the music for the afternoon.

Between 3 p.m. and 4. p.m., John Griffin and his Funky Puppet Show will be in action. He makes a welcome return, loved not only by the children, but their parents and grandparents, too. Not to be missed!

Joining us for the first time is The Pitcombe Rock Falconry and their beautiful birds of prey, hawks, and owls etc.

The Flower Show, for many years, has supported the promotion of bees and Bee Keeping. Once again, the Mendip Bee Keepers’

Association will be on hand to help and give advice to anyone wishing to keep bees. You can also try some yummy honey!

For anyone who wants to give Archery a try, we are pleased that the South Wansdyke Archery Club will be at St Mary’s School field, where they meet weekly to practice. They are supported by Team GB, and have some talented young archers, and also support wheelchair archery. Come and give it a go.

We have free sand play for kids, tea and homemade cake, and many more stalls, with lots to do and lots to see.

Brenda Fisher, the widow of the well-known local artist, David Fisher, has very kindly presented a signed print of her late husband’s work, ‘Let Battle Commence’ for the Grand Draw, which will be held in the marquee. The print comes with a certificate of authenticity and depicts the first appearance of the Bath to Bournemouth Train in Radstock.

David was a judge for the Flower Show and he and his family have supported the event for many years. Money raised from this weekend’s show and the raffle will support the funding for next year’s Flower Show.

Schedules are available From Writhlington Corner Stores, Radstock Co-operative Society, the Fromeway Inn, Clandown Post Office, Faulkland Inn and Radstock Library.

For the exhibitors, we have some new classes in all sections, specially created to celebrate the 130th Flower Show. We look forward to seeing you all on show day, and good luck to all our exhibitors.

For more information or a schedule you can contact the Chairman, Rob Langley, on: 01761 431406 or the Secretary, Helen Gulliford: 01761 420417.

Helen Gulliford, Secretary