CHAPTER
1
THE FIRST FLOWER SHOW IN 1869
By the middle of the nineteenth century there was considerable
interest in gardening and horticultural matters and Horticultural
Societies became widely established in many towns and villages..
In our own locality in the northern part of Ayrshire these
sprang up in, for example, Dalry, Irvine, Stevenston, Largs
as well as in West Kilbride. Although we have no precise
record of the founding of such a Society in West Kilbride
we do know that its first Flower Show was held on Saturday
the 19th. of September 1869 in the Free Church School., this
being situated near to the present railway station site (see
Map). In common with other Societies at the time the Show
included classes for birds as well as horticultural exhibits,
and indeed the Society soon acquired the name of West Kilbride
Horticultural and Ornithological Society.
At this time there were many local large
houses and estates with private gardens run by professional
gardeners and rivalry
was evident at Flower Shows between those professionals (and
their lords and masters) and the "amateurs" who
represented a relatively small section of the exhibitors.
Although we do not have a Schedule for that first Flower
Show we can deduce from the report in the Ardrossan and Saltcoats
Herald of 25th. September 1869 that this first venture was
a success, the newspaper remarking that "Doubts were
at first entertained as to the success of the show, but we
are happy in being able to state, that through the exertions
of the committee . the school presented an appearance never
before witnessed in West Kilbride" The report continues
in glowing terms - "In the centre of the room was placed
a high table, which was chiefly filled with fuchsias, geraniums,
roses, floral ornaments and bouquets; immediately below and
surrounding this table, were placed other tables upon which
were arranged cut flowers and vegetables, while on side tables
were seen fruit, vegetables, honey, birds and poultry, etc.
etc.. A fine collection of local grasses was exhibited by
Mr. Currie, gardener to James Boyd, of Orchard, which attracted
much attention, especially from farmers. Mr John McKerrichar,
gardener, Carlung, showed some potatoes (from a second crop
of potatoes), which for size and quality could have matched
some that were exhibited as first crop potatoes. The number
of competitors was large and the prizes were not altogether
confined to the old hands. However we may state in passing
that we consider the gardeners of the place were just about
as well pleased to see the young amateurs take a prize as
it had been to themselves. The most successful competitors,
as will be seen from the prize list, were, Mr. John Alexander,
gardener to H.C.Hyndman, Esq., of Springside, Mr. James Currie,
gardener to James Boyd, Esq., of Orchard, and Mr. John McKerrichar,
gardener to Mrs. Anderson, Carlung, who came forward with
an array of flowers etc. that the beauty could hardly be
excelled anywhere. The committee certainly deserve great
credit, for the exhibition and we trust that the public will
not fail to give them that support to which they are deservingly
entitled. During the afternoon and evening, the flute band
enlivened the proceedings with some choice airs."
Though by this account a very successful
first venture, there were some minus points, the press
report going on to
say "We regret that we have to state, that the absence
of fruit here and there at the close of the show, and the
breaking of some honey combs too plainly showed that while
some came to feast their eyes, others came to feast their
stomachs in much the same fashion as do the inmates of our
country prison, whom we make no doubt they will acknowledge
as brethren dear."
A copy of the list of prizewinners at this first show is
given as Appendix 1.
The judges were:
Messrs Brown and Jamieson, Ardrossan, Mr. John Leister, Largs,
and Mr. John Alexander, West Kilbride.
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