Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Writhlington Flower Show Committee have been unable to hold face to face meetings since 10th March 2020. However, the Chairman, Officers and Committee members held a Flower Show meeting by kind invitation of our Treasurer Ian Chant (socially distanced of course), in his beautiful garden.

It was a lovely evening in lovely surroundings and just to meet up again and have some normality in life! Once again, due to the circumstances in which we all find ourselves in, the Chairman, Officers and Committee sadly took the decision to cancel this year’s Flower Show on 21st August.

We did so reluctantly, but due to the very narrow timeframe for planning and organisation required, we could not commit our finances to a limited or scaled back version of our Flower Show and Fete. All our hearts said yes, but our heads and common sense said no – our thoughts and priority are still the safety and wellbeing of all those involved.

We sincerely apologise to all our exhibitors, visitors, supporters and villagers. We would like to thank everyone for your support and time given to past Flower Shows and the committee are planning to hold an Annual General Meeting on 11th October 2021 and our Flower Show and Fete on 20th August 2022.

I’m sad to report the death of a Writhlington Flower Show Life President, William Packer (Bill). Mr Packer was a Writhlingtonian – he was born and lived in the village all of his life.

Bill was a life-long supporter of the Flower Show, along with his late brother-in-law, Howie Nuth, who was a past Chairman and his long-time friend, the late Colin Russell. Mr Packer was well known and a very keen gardener and exhibitor, not only at Writhlington Flower Show, but included many others – Timsbury, the North Somerset Chrysanthemum and Dahlia Society Shows and Frome Cheese Show. He won many prizes, including Best Exhibits for his vegetables, begonias and chrysanthemums.

Bill was known for being straightforward, his sense of fun and his willingness to help. Whenever I needed advice or help this was always freely given with common sense and a joke or two! I will miss him, as will not only his family, but by everyone who knew him – especially on Flower Show Day. The Flower Show committee sent their sincere condolences to his daughter, Angela and her family and to son, John and his family.

The committee also send their condolences to the family of Violet (Vi) Cottle who passed away recently, just weeks before her 101st Birthday in August.

Mrs Cottle and her late husband, Mr Ron Cottle, was General Manager at the Radstock Co-operative Society Store for many years and they lived in Writhlington most of their married life. Both were long-time supporters and exhibitors at the Flower Show. Mr Cottle with his fruit, flower and vegetables and Mrs Cottle was well known for her wonderful cookery, so much so, that after winning the Flower Show’s own Ladies’ Cookery Cup for twelve years, the Committee decided to present it to her at the Flower Show’s Centenary in 1989 for keeps.

On a happier note, and earlier this year, on 1st April, one of our Life Presidents and a past Chairman of the Flower Show, our own local historian, Dennis Chedgy and his wife, Sylvia, celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary, lockdown style. On the occasion of their 60th wedding anniversary the Flower Show Committee send their best wishes and many congratulations to the couple.

We would like to thank all the exhibitors and those that have continued to support our Flower Show. The Chairman, myself, and the committee would like to send our very best wishes to you all, stay safe and well in these uncertain times, and we hope that we will all meet again and see you at our Flower Show in 2022.

Helen Gulliford, Show Secretary