CHAPTER
8
FROM 1964 TO 1975
Again this next ten-year period is without minute book information
but other sources provide a reasonable background. Both the
Spring Show and the Summer Show continued to expand and command
a high degree of interest and participation in not only West
Kilbride but also in adjoining areas and even further afield.
The major event, the Summer Show, attracted large entries,
the number of 1420 in 1965 being, to the best of our information,
the highest ever achieved in the Society's history. Numbers
in the Spring Show peaked at around 500 in 1968. The membership
in 1965 was 525.
A feature of this period is the extensive press coverage
given to the Society's activities. For example, in 1968
the Spring show was previewed in the 19th. January, 9th.
February and 1st. March issues of the Ardrosssan and Saltcoats
Herald, the Show report appearing on 8th. March. With respect
to the Summer Show, notes appeared in the issues of 11th.
May, 14th. June, 28th. June, 12th. July, 2nd. August, 9th.
August (twice), 16th. August and 23rd. August, the Show
Report appearing on 30th. August.
Both shows featured new classes and additional trophies,
and the show reports suggest that the 1960's decade represented
a high plateau in activity; indeed over this ten year period
the number of entries received at the Summer Show only
once fell below 1000. The influence of new social factors
such as domestic television, even though perhaps countered
to some extent by the growth in interest in horticultural
matters shown by the widening development of garden centres,
was about to have an inexorable influence on the sustainability
of village flower shows and competitive horticultural exhibiting.
All this was thirty years ago, and we still have a Horticultural
Society and its two flower shows in West Kilbride, thanks
to the dedication and commitment of Society members, officials,
committee members and numerous helpers and well-wishers
who ably demonstrated an ability to keep moving with the
changing times.
Summer Shows
These followed the established pattern with annual schedule
changes to incorporate new ideas. Most of the main trophies
changed hands regularly, though the Bloch trophy for
dahlias was won in every year by Bill Sutherland, and
the Portencross
trophy for chrysanthemums by Sam Grant, whilst W. Martindale
Jnr. took the Orchard trophy for vegetables in six successive
years. The Schedule for 1972, indicates that the total
number of classes for competition in that year was over
300; there were thirteen trophies available and twelve
special prizes; many of the class prizes were donated.
The 1965 show To some extent this was a landmark and the
culmination of a period of steady growth and rapid expansion.
It was held on Friday 20th. August and opened by Sir Fitzroy
McLean (the local M.P.) The number of classes was at the
record level of 240 and included a new section for Novices.
The number of entries was 1420, also a record. with over
100 in the cut flower section. There were two new trophies,
the Muriel McKenzie trophy for the best vase of Sweet Peas,
and the Junior Aiknut Shield for most points in the 8 - 11
year old children's' section making the total number of trophies
in that year eleven. The Rose Growers Messrs Rafferty of
Kilmarnock donated two special prizes of 6 roses for the
decorative section.
There were trade displays of Roses (Rafferty's), Chrysanthemums
(Lockhart, Springside), Books and Garden requisites (Dunlop & Blyth
and Todd Bros., W. Kilbride), Beehive for observation (Largs
and District Beekeepers Association), Wine making requisites
(Scotia Home Brewers) and Wine exhibits (Helensburgh Wine
Circle).
Society officials at that time were: President, F. Welch;
Vice-president, H. Harding; Secretary W.G.Jack; Treasurer
M. Jardine.
The extensive advertising preceding the show is mentioned
above.
Other summer show matters With the increasing size and complexity
of the Summer show stewarding and administration became problems
and in 1965 a member of Committee, J.T.Black, was appointed
chief steward with the specific task of obtaining, training
and organising the appropriate number of stewards at each
show; in 1970 another committee member, J.G.Sloan, was appointed
as his deputy.
Staging of the show remained
in the hands of local contractors, Messrs Gemmell. until
1966. In that
year John Black drew
up a plan for staging based on a foundation of wooden forms
on which decking was constructed on wooden planks and cross-bearers.
Scrap wooden planking (former roofing sarking) was purchased
from the demolition contractors Sam. B. Allison and new timber
from Alexander sawmills, the expenditure in 1966 - 1968 being £26.
When not in use these materials were stored in the "dunny" in
the Public Hall. Staging was erected and dismantled by committee
members (at that time including at least three local joiners)
and helpers. Although considerable physical effort was required
not only in assembly and breaking down but also in transporting
forms from other local halls, the change was deemed worthwhile
in reducing the not inconsiderable annual expenditure on
staging contractors formerly incurred, and indeed the same
practice has been followed ever since.
Printing of schedules, prize cards and so on was now carried
out through a local stationer, the cost incurred in 1967
being £85 (Dunlop and Blyth). The engraving of trophies
was undertaken by a local jeweller, J.McEwen, paid £12
in 1966. The provision of lunch for judges and officials
in the Seamill Hotel cost £18/15/- for 29 lunches
in 1967.
Trophies Seven new trophies
were presented to the Society for open competition between
1965 and 1975.
The Muriel McKenzie
trophy and the Junior Aiknut shield have been mentioned above
in connection with the 1965 show. The first, for the best
vase of sweet peas, was given in 1965 by Mrs W.A. McKenzie
of Hazeldene, and the second, for most points in the children's
classes 8 - 11 years old, by Mrs. Elsie Beveridge of Aiknut.
In 1967 Mrs. Paterson Smith, a resident in the Seamill Hydro,
who regularly visited and enjoyed the Show, gave a trophy
engraved with her name for most points in the Junior decorative
section. The William Martindale Trophy was presented in 1972
by the Martindale family of Orchard Street for the best Pot
plant exhibit, and the Hillbury Trophy, for the best miniature
flower arrangement in the decorative section, by Mrs R. J.
Bown of Hillbury in 1964. The Matthew Jardine Trophy was
given in 1973 by Mr. Matthew Jardine, the Society Treasurer,
for the best exhibit in the miniature gardens classes. In
1974 Mr. & Mrs George Blyth gave the Parkgrove Trophy
for the best exhibit in the Decorative Section; "Parkgrove" is
the name of their house in South Road.
In the same year the West Kilbride District Council presented
a trophy to be called the "Family Trophy" to
be awarded to the family gaining most points in the Show.
These handsome gifts brought the number of Society Trophies
to nineteen, viz: Glenbryde, Orchard, Allan, Wm.Martindale,
Samson, Mary Cohen, Maurice Bloch, Portencross, Hillbury,
Muriel McKenzie, Overton, Mrs. Paterson Smith, Matthew Jardine,
Parkgrove, Family, Aiknut Shield, Junior Aiknut Shield, together
with the Daffodil and Hyacinth Cups for the Spring Show.
Tearoom In 1971 a tea-room was instituted on summer show
day, and was initially established in the Masonic Hall. A
small profit was made over the cost of buying material and
hiring the hall. This provision soon became an established
and welcome addition to the show and remains, though in a
different venue, to the present day.
Sale of flowers Selling flower exhibits at the end of the
show became a feature from 1971, and honey exhibits were
also sold, both making small though welcome additions to
show income.
Spring shows
The success of the summer shows in this period 1964 - 1975
was mirrored by a similar good performance at the Spring
Bulb shows which continued to be held in the Primary School
on a Saturday in early March, attracting increasingly large
entries and public interest. The number of entries increased
through 340 in 1965 to a peak of 500 in 1969, thereafter
gradually declining, though over 400 is quoted in 1972. The
number of daffodils displayed in the children's classes and
grown from bulbs supplied by the Society rose to a remarkable
peak of 170 in 1968. The only reference to the type of bulb
supplied is Carlton in 1967, when the hyacinth bulbs were
King of the Blues and Princess Margaret. Multihead daffodils
are noted in 1970 when John Bell won the daffodil cup with
an entry of one bulb with eight perfect blooms; another in
1974 had nine blooms (but got only second prize). Even though
the Show was held early in March a poor display was reported
in 1970 because of a mild winter resulting in the bulbs being
too far advanced.
The classes for miniature gardens continued its remarkable
advance to a peak of 96 entries in 1970, out of which there
were 40 prizewinners. Interest gradually turned to classes
for unusual containers, floating bowls and other decorative
exhibits.
Financial matters The financial
position remained healthy, with a year-end balance rising
from £180 to some £300
and the annual income from £500 to over £1000,
though from the 1970's pressures of inflation affected the
actual figures. The annual membership subscription was raised
in 1970 from 3/- to 5/-. In 1971 there was the onset of decimalisation
following which the subscription was set at 25p being the
new equivalent of the former 5/-. A typical breakdown of
annual income would be:-
Subscriptions (app.) 500
members) £ 120
Donations 170
Spring show -
Door £13
Raffle 10
Sale of bulbs 22 45
Summer show -
Door 85
Entries 20
Sale of flowers 15
Raffle 25
Tearoom 30 175
Sale of lecture tickets 70
Bank interest 25
Total £605
whilst the major items of expenditure would typically be
-
Catering (including lecture
evenings) £ 130
Hall rents (Public & Masonic Halls) 10
Stationery & printing 90
Engraving 25
Prize money 120
Insurances 10
School bulbs 40
Honorarium to Secretary 60
Honorarium to subscription collector 25
Sundries 45
Total £555
Notice
(1) The low figure for hall rentals (Public hall charge
was paid to the West Kilbride District Council)
(2) Payments to secretary and collectors
(3) The large income from donations
Lectures and visits Winter lectures were a regular feature
at this period and were usually held in the evenings in the
Ardenlee Hotel commencing in 1971 and continuing for a number
of years. No information is available for the years prior
to 1978.
: | | | | | | | |
8 | | | |
