CHAPTER
5
THE NEXT PERIOD FROM 1935 TILL 1940
The pattern of activities set so successfully in 1934 after
the twenty-year absence basically continued, with the scope
of the annual summer show - the number and type of classes
- widening and the prizes and awards offered increasing.
It was of course not to be foreseen that the onset of the
Second World War in 1939 would once again bring the Society's
activities to a close. Mr J.H.Gemmell continued as President
of the Society, with Mr. R. Prosser as Vice-president until
1940, when Mr. J.K.Rutherford took over. Mr John Cowan was
Secretary and Treasurer until 1938, being then succeeded
for one year by Mr. J. Grierson and then by Mr. D. Currie.
The Show Openers are listed in Appendix 4.
Some pertinent information concerning the annual show is
now given:-
Show date
Throughout this period the Show was held on a Friday during
the latter part of August
Trophies The Silver Cup offered by Mr.
McLeod, Overton, has been mentioned. The Donor had originally
wished that
it should be awarded for the best-kept garden but the Committee
felt that this stipulation could not be adhered to with satisfaction
and suggested that alternatively the Trophy be awarded for "The
most points gained by exhibits grown by the competitor".
After discussion with Mr. McLeod a further change was made
with the Trophy, now to be described as "The Overton
Challenge Cup" being awarded for the most meritorious
Exhibit in the Show, confined to the Postal District of West
Kilbride. After winning the Cup three times (not necessarily
in succession) it would become the property of the Competitor.
The Society's thanks were conveyed to Mr. McLeod "for
so generously donating such a handsome Trophy for competition".
This trophy was won three times, in 1935, 1937 and 1938 by
Mr. A. Menzies, who thus became the outright winner. Mr.
Menzies also won the Glenbryde Rose Bowl in 1938.
In 1939 Mr. McLeod presented a new Trophy for annual competition,
to be awarded to the winner of most points in the Industrial
Section (Home Industries basically comprising baking and
preserves), and to be held for one year and confined to
entrants resident in the Postal District of West Kilbride.
Agreement was reached with Mr. McLeod that the new Vase
he was gifting should be inscribed "West Kilbride
Horticultural Society. Overton Challenge Vase, for annual
competition in the Home Industries Section. Presented by
Robert McLeod."
Reference has been made to the gift of a Silver Rose bowl
by a donor who wished to remain anonymous (It may be presumed
that there was some connection with the house "Glenbryde" off
Ardrossan, subsequently Glenbryde Hotel, now residential
flats.) This would appear to be the Trophy described in
1935 as the Glenbryde Rose Bowl; in that year the Committee
agreed that this be awarded for most points gained in the
Cut Flower Section, the cup to be held for one year and
confined to the Parish of West Kilbride.
In 1938 Mr. R. Potter, Orchard, gifted a Trophy which the
Committee decided should be awarded for most points in
the Vegetable Section, confined to West Kilbride. The first
winner was Mr. R. Allan, in 1938. These and other Society
Trophies are listed in some detail in Appendix 5.
Prizes
Local traders, firms associated with
Horticulture, and many individuals continued to generously
make donations or gifts
in kind as prize awards. Among these were a "Daily Record" Medal
for the most meritorious exhibit grown by a competitor. The
Ardrossan Co-op gave 5/- for most points in the vegetable
section. Two "Amateur Gardening" diplomas were
allocated by the Committee. Miss Melvin gave a prize for
the most artistic collection of annuals. Several prizes were
donated for classes in handicrafts and sewing as the scope
of the "Industrial Section" broadened.
"Industrial Section"
In 1934 the Show basically comprised
a Horticultural Section, a Honey Section and an Industrial
Section, the latter having
classes for baking and preserves. This was slow to develop
and a sub-committee was established to try and increase its
popularity, adding classes for sewing, knitting and needlework,
for both adults and children. The assistance of ladies. largely
from like-minded church groups, was sought to bring in expertise,
specialist judges were appointed, the Lesser Hall was taken
as an additional display area, and the Section was re-named "Home
Industries". Great encouragement was given by the donation
of the Overton Vase for competition in this Section.
Staging
The task of preparing and erecting staging
was contracted out to local joiners. In 1936 A. Gemmell
carried out the
erecting and removal of staging, the collection and return
of tables (from various local Halls), putting up and taking
down banners and fitting up barriers in Hall corridors, for
the sum of £5/-/-.
Music
Music was considered to be a necessary
adjunct to the Show and was generally provided by a local
band or group in both
the afternoons and evenings, a typical charge for the day
being £2/-/-. In 1939 the Committee were not satisfied
with the quality of the entertainment and sought to seek
an improvement "to see that the Society was better served
in this matter than previously" The cessation of activities
prevented any remedial action being taken at that time.
Vases
Until 1938 it appears that show vases were hired each year.
Supply difficulties prompted purchases from McLeod, Candleriggs,
Glasgow for the Society's own use. Between shows arrangements
were made to have these stored at Lawoodhead Farm, and a
member of Committee was given the task of looking after them,
including collection and return, and was paid 10/- per annum
for this duty.
Judges
The number varied from year to year, but usually looked
like 4 - 6 for the Horticultural and Honey Sections together
with 2 (Ladies) for Home Industries. The minutes seldom deal
with judges' names and it would appear that their selection
was left entirely in the hands of the Secretary with little
or no involvement of the Committee. The judges for the 1939
show are named as:- Miss Orr, Saltcoats (Baking), with Messrs
Mitchell (Kilbirnie), Breckenridge (Beith), Ritchie (Skelmorlie)
and Cowan (Monkton).
Judges were provided with breakfast at 9am and lunch at 1
pm, either in Betty's Tea-room or in the Wellington Hotel.
A quotation from Betty's in 1936 was 1/6 for breakfast and
2/- for Lunch.
Society finances
A healthy financial position was maintained
during these years, the balance in 1940 being £52/16/-. Membership
subscriptions of 2/6 annually were gathered in by an Official
Collector who was paid a salary plus a percentage of the
amount collected over £10; in 1939 the amount collected
was £41. After resignation of the Collector in 1937
it was proposed that Committee members should carry out this
task in various districts but this was dropped in favour
of appointing a new collector. Admission to the Show remained
at the figures set in 1934, 1/- afternoon, 6d evening, 1d
children. The Secretary was paid an annual Honorarium of £8/-/-.
Show reports 1935 - 1939
Only five Shows were held before the onset of the Second
World War in 1939. They appeared to follow the basic pattern
and format established in 1934. Show openers were - 1935,
Mrs. McLaren, Carlung; 1936, Mrs Caldwell Ker, Whinhurst;
1938, Mrs. Crawford, Barony Manse; 1939, Lady Hunter-Weston.
Other Committee Activities
There were usually five or six meetings of the Committee
each year, one being essentially a Schedule meeting to arrange
class and prize changes; there was also the Annual General
Meeting. Sub-committees met from time to time to deal with
specific matters such as staging, appointments, trophy matters
and so on. Some special matters dealt with were:
Lectures
At the 1935 AGM the question of lectures
was first raised and it was remitted to the Committee to
arrange one such
meeting to take the form of a "Hat Night" with
questions and topics being drawn from a hat. This was duly
arranged for 23rd. Feb 1938 but this topic receives no further
mention in the minutes.
Whist drive
In 1936 a Committee Member suggested that the Society hold
a Whist Drive. This was remitted to the AGM but is not mentioned
again.
Complaints
Only minor complaints are recorded. In
1935 the question of Antirrhinums as annuals was queried
by a competitor, with
various authorities being quoted against. No resolution is
mentioned, the item being minuted as "Questionable annuals".
In the same year prize money was refused to a competitor
who had allegedly not complied with the class conditions
in the Schedule; details are not given but there appears
to have been an amicable resolution. In 1937 there was correspondence
with an alpine grower who had set up a trade stand but made
no donation to the Society for the privilege; the outcome
is not disclosed.
Schedule
There were regular modifications to the
Schedule, particularly in the Sections covering pot plants,
dahlias, roses, vegetables
and in the children's classes. In 1939 chrysanthemum classes
were removed due to declining interest, and to provide more
space. Extensive developments in "Home Industries" have
been mentioned. The number of schedules printed remained
at 300.
1939 and the War Years
The 1939 AGM was cancelled because of the onset of the Second
World War, but an AGM was held in 1940 when it was decided
to cancel the usual Show and to hold instead a competition
for the best vegetable garden in West Kilbride, in two
classes - 1, for a garden worked wholly or partly by hired
labour, and 2, for a garden worked wholly by the household.
Unfortunately as time passed only three entries were received
for this competition and it was abandoned. An "Allotment
advisory committee" was established under the chairmanship
of Mr. J. K. Rutherford to offer advice and to set up model
plots to assist allotment holders in maximising vegetable
production. During the War Years Produce Sales were held
for the purpose of helping war charities; at these everything
entered was given free, the only reward being the satisfaction
of obtaining a prize ticket and the knowledge that West
Kilbride was doing well by the fighting forces. The Masonic
Hall was hardly large enough to contain the exhibits ands
let the public near enough to make their purchases. It
is reported that in 1943 the Convenor, Mr. J. K. Rutherford,
commented on the generous contributions received and paid
tribute to the energy and enthusiasm of all organisations
who had been responsible for the function. It was opened
by Lady Haddow, who remarked on the value of beautiful
flowers and health-giving vegetables in these drab days,
and of the benefits of the "Dig for Victory" Campaign
in promoting good health and saving valuable shipping space.
She said that a surplus of produce was inevitable in even
the best gardens and plots and it was a kindly thought
on the part of the "Haves" to come to the aid
of the "Have-nots" and at the same time add to
the funds of good causes. There was a scramble to buy;
the Domestic Section was soon cleared and Mr. Gemmell auctioned
the remainder. The keen competition for the jars of honey
and preserves , the high prices offered for cakes and sweetmeats
and the demand for fruit all served to show how all longed
for more sweetness in the diet"
War charities benefited by some £120 as a result on
this occasion.
Prizewinners were:-
1 lb gooseberries - Mrs Laird
6 peaches - 1st. Carlung; 2nd. Mr. J. Donaldson
Bunch grapes - 1,2,3 Carlung
6 Tomatoes - 1 Mr. Reid, 2nd & 3rd. Auxiliary Hospital
6 Apples, culinary - 1st. P.A.Macnab, 2nd. Auxiliary Hospital
6 Apples, dessert - 1st. Mr. Martindale, 2nd. Auxiliary Hospital
Jar Dark Honey - 1st. Mr MacNab, 2nd. Mr. Martindale
Jar medium honey - 1st. Mr. McLuckie, 2nd. Mr Martindale
Jar Heather honey - Mr. Martindale
Jar granulated honey - 1st. Mr. McLuckie, 2nd. Mr. Martindale
Frame for extraction - Mr. Martindale
Section honey - Mr. MacNab
Cake wax - Mr. Martindale
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